​Making the choice to move to the country came from the desire to try so many things that city life could not offer.  From creating our own food sources through gardening and raising animals, to building, crafting, and gaining skills that our ancestors would be proud of, we have opened ourselves up to a world of opportunity to learn how this amazing planet works, and how we can work in harmony with it.  Each year in the country since we moved here 10 years ago (!) has been its own adventure.  We have watched some of our neighbors dive headfirst into absolutely everything at once, but, for us, we have been quietly building our homestead year upon year, a chicken coop here, a luffa garden there.  Three years ago, we decided it was finally time to get buzzed...and then came the bees!

Beekeeping is not for the faint of heart.  As much as it is not extremely difficult, there are learning curves like anything, with the added challenge of possibly getting stung by 50,000 of these little buggers on any given trip to the hives.  You heard that right, a healthy hive is home to approximately 50,000 bees at their peak!  The funny thing is, when your outside picking veggies or enjoying a beer with friends, you barely notice them.  In the evening taking a walk around the property, if you step into their beeline back to the hive, you will, but even then, it's easy to forget they are even there most days.  We've had quite a bit of success in the last 2 years, harvesting 10 gallons of honey or more in a season.  We've also had our share of trials and tribulations, which make for great stories now!

That Time the Hives Toppled
Our first year keeping bees we placed them next to the luffa gardens, which was a win-win for the luffas and the bees!  We also planted our large sunflower garden adjacent to the 2 hives.  The sunflowers were large, and quite weeded by late in the season, and our hives were rather top-heavy with supers being filled.  With the sunflowers and weeds, the ground began to heave up on the left side, creating a slant on our west hive.  One late August day, a strong wind came up and took that hive down, it dominoed into the other hive, and both crashed to the ground, falling apart.  The wind was whipping from the west, and the bees were pissed.  Both Chris and I put on our suits to try and put the hives back together, but the bees were so angry, so confused, and so displaced, I was scared, like REALLY scared, to be around them for the first time that summer.  All I kept thinking was, if I stay here trying to do this, I could literally get stung to death, even with a full bee suit.  One angry bee did end up getting into Chris' suit, the headpiece, and stung him.  He freaked out a bit and whipped off his suit, only to be chased and stung on the head at least 5 more times.  I walked away from the hives practically in tears, apologizing to the angry swarm that followed me, telling them I knew they were afraid, and I didn't know what to do.  Eventually we pulled ourselves and our heads together and came up with a plan.  Bees calm and "go down" at the signs of a fire.  Often, when we are entering the hives, we will smoke them to send the bees away from the top of the hive so we can check honey frames, look for the queen, or give them mite treatments.  We used this idea and put a smoke ring to the west of the hive.  We put brush and grass into the ring and lit it just enough to get it smoking.  The wind that was previously our advisory, became our ally, pushing the smoke towards the bees, and they calmed down dramatically.  We were able to use this opportunity to stack the boxes back together, placed them on pallets to level them out, and use bungee cords to hold them in place.  We have adopted this strategy going forward, and always secure our hives.

The Year of the Super Queen
We headed into year two with new energy, a bit of previous knowledge, and a new brand of bees!  I believe, and any beekeeper will tell you, the biggest challenge to keeping bees is overwintering them in our harsh climate.  Like 50% of beekeepers, no matter your years of experience, we opened up the hives in the spring and found them all dead.  We had tried 2 types of bees the first year, both were from California, and they would probably have preferred to spend their winter surfing.  Year two we decided to try our luck with the Saskatraz bees from Saskatchewan, Canada (aye).  These bees are known for their docile nature, great honey production, and heartiness to colder temps.  We brought them home, excited to see what the season would bring, and had our first big challenge within days.  After loading up the bees and allowing them to release their respective queens, we left the hives for 24 hours.  The next day we went out to find the queen in eac hive and make sure she had been accepted by the workers.  What we found was one hive where the queen was easily spotted and thought, "Perfect! We did good".  The next hive we opened only to be shocked by the pure number of bees we saw and couldn't locate the queen anywhere amidst the giant swarm.  We assumed she was there and decided to wait another day.  The next day we went out to find one of our hives was practically empty of bees, and the other was even more full than the day before.  By day 3 we could count the bees in one hive (a hive starts with about 10,000 bees), and still couldn't find the queen in the other.  By then, though, we had to assume there was a queen, and not just any queen, we had a Super queen!  Sometimes a queen bee gives off so many pheromones that she becomes extra attractive to all bees.  In this case, no bees can resist her and they all flock to the hive where she is located.  Of course, we had NO IDEA this was even a thing until it happened.  That summer we ended up with a super hive and were able to harvest 5 gallons of honey in July (the same amount took us until October the previous year)!  Around the 4th of July the temps were hot, and the bees were "bearding" like we had never seen before.  Bearding happens when the hive gets warm, and several bees hang out around the entrance "fanning" the hive to promote air flow and keep it cool for the workers.  We didn't think too much of it until a few days later when watching them we started to notice 10's of 1000's of bees overhead.  We had our first swarm!  I had spoken to some of our neighbors previously about beekeeping and they had described when their bees had swarmed in the same way.  They started leaving the hive by the thousands and buzzing overhead, they all collected in a tree, and POOF, they were just gone, never to return.  This is a beekeeping nightmare, to lose your bees to a crowded hive or a second queen.  I had to leave to go to work, but Chris described what followed as his proudest beekeeper moment.  The swarm took off, and he went for a walk to try and locate them.  He was able to find them, tipping over on a patch of fleabane in the pasture.  As the plants slowly dropped to the ground under the weight of the bees, he quickly grabbed a box from the original deserted hive and placed it over them, trapping them on the ground.  Then he built the rest of the hive back up on a pallet right there and started scooping the bees into it, rehoming them to the hive.  They stayed!  We were back to 2 hives and enjoyed a second honey harvest in September!

I was telling a friend yesterday that I used to be a pretty adventurous person, but now I'm so much more content at home.  After writing this today, I'm thinking maybe it's not that I'm no longer adventurous, I just find enough of it on the farm, there is no need to leave!  Happy Honey Month! ​

We've spent a lot of time in the past 2 years focusing on the creation of our men's line of product.  It can be a huge challenge to market and sell natural, freshly-made skin care to men for several reasons.  For one, men are not always the purchasers of their own personal care.  More often than not, in a partnership, women are the primary "shoppers" of a household.  Men trust their partners to make decisions in product for them and will use what is available in their household.  Also, men tend to want to keep things simple, using as few products as possible, and keeping their daily cleansing and pampering routines short and sweet, and mistakenly see handcrafted or organic products as too much luxury.  Finally, and probably most importantly, men don't realize how much their commercial products may be harming their health, chipping away at their immune system and all the aspects of their endocrine (hormonal) system.  All three of these reasons, but especially the last one, is why, despite the challenges of getting men on board, we haven't, and won't give up.

What is the Endocrine System?
Maybe you've heard this before, or maybe you haven't, that many of the chemical ingredients found in commercial skincare are potential endocrine disruptors.  The endocrine system is also referred to as our "hormone system".  All mammals have one, and they are made up of glands located throughout the body.  These glands make hormones that are released into the bloodstream and receptors in various organs and tissues recognize and respond to these hormones.  Some people think of hormones as only being important to the reproductive system and, when we are past our reproductive age or desire, it doesn't really matter anymore.  This is simply not true, as hormones are responsible for many of our healthy body functions like  growth (including the development of the brain and nervous system), energy (including metabolism and blood sugar control), and the reproductive system that regulates testosterone and estrogen in men and women.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified through scientific research on human epidemiology, lab animals, and wildlife studies that chemical contaminants (some that are commonly found in commercial personal care) can disrupt endocrine function that lead to adverse health consequences.  These consequences include developmental malformations, reproductive interference, increased cancer risk, and issues with immune system and nervous system function. 

What to Avoid, and What to Use Instead
Creating healthy products people can safely use every day takes a lot of research on which toxins to avoid, and which alternatives will perform the best.  We've identified 3 ingredients over the years that are known to be both harmful and very common in commercial products.  These include sulfates, phthalates, and parabens. 

Sulfates
Sulfates can be identified on an ingredient label as having the word "sulfate" in the ingredients name.  The most common (and most disruptive) is sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS. Sulfates are made when sulfuric acid interacts with another chemical and forms a salt.  They almost always found in products that lather (shampoo, body wash, dish and hand soap, etc.).  Sulfates are widely used because of their amazing lathering capabilities, as well as being cheap to produce.  While lather generally does mean cleansing, lack of lather doesn't mean something is not cleansing.  Sulfates have been shown to be contaminated with a chemical called 1,4 dioxane, one of the chemicals the EPA has detected as being an endocrine disruptor.  In addition, these lathering agents have the propensity to be highly skin irritating.  In my own experience, I find that individuals with skin issues find relief almost immediately once they remove sulfates from their daily routine.  Luckily, there are many plant-based lathering agents available as alternatives.  One of my favorites is "glucosides".  These are often derived from sugar and much more gentle to the skin than sulfates, but still produce great lather.

Parabens
Another common ingredient that is well worth avoiding is parabens.  There is a laundry list of surnames for parabens that can be identified by the word "paraben" in the last part of the word (methylparaben is a common example).  Parabens are strong chemical preservatives that extend the shelf life of water-based products like lotion and shampoo.  A good preservative that can ward off bacteria and mold is absolutely necessary for any water-based product being sold to the public.  Unless you are making your own product, using it within 2 weeks, and keeping it refrigerated, it needs to be properly preserved.  Because parabens are chemicals, they are identified by the body as toxins and often difficult to eliminate, taking a toll on the kidneys and liver.  Overtime, with enough use, they can build up in our body and tax the immune system.  Specifically dangerous to men, they are also found to produce estrogen and disrupt endocrine function.  Although there are many effective naturally-derived alternatives (GSB, Linatural, and Leucidal Complete are examples), they may not be strong enough to allow for the extensive manufacture lead, storage, travel, and shelf times of mass-produced products.  This is why purchasing from local manufacturers who value small batch freshness is a safer, healthier option for daily use products.

Phthalates
The third ingredients to avoid unfortunately hides well within an ingredients list, and unless you are aware of a specific brand's practice when it comes to fragrance, you may not even know that phthalates are present.  By law, companies do not have to disclose their fragrances, even essential oils because they are propriatary.  On an ingredient label, all that is necessary is the word "fragrance", which could mean anything to a consumer.  Phthalates are a family of industrial chemicals used to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and as solvents in cosmetics and other consumer products, specifically in artificially produced fragrances.   Asthma, diabetes, breast cancer, and male infertility are just a few of the issues that have been linked to phthalates.  While using essential oils rather than fragrance oils is a sure way to avoid them, not all desired fragrances can be created with plant-based oils.  For those that are synthetic, suppliers will disclose those fragrances that are "phthalate free".  For our company, we purchase only limited synthetic fragrance oils and always choose those that are documented as phthalate-free.  In addition, all essential oils are listed on our ingredient labels to ensure customers with allergies and sensitivities know what they're putting on their skin.

Our skin is our biggest organ, absorbing approximately 60% of what we put on it.  America is one of the few westernized countries that still allows domestic manufacturers to use known harmful chemicals in our personal care products.  While it takes some effort and education to avoid these harmful substances, there are companies that take great time and care to avoid them and find effective alternatives.  If you're lucky enough to have one in your own community, make a point to seek them out and support their efforts.  Your body will thank you.

To read the EPA's documentation on Endocrine Disruption, follow this link to their website:  www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/what-endocrine-disruption.  

You don't always have to look far for great skincare ingredients, sometimes not even farther than your own backyard!  When I'm beginning to envision a new line of products, I always start with a "hero" ingredient...that one ingredient that gets to shine on it's own, and with other complimentary companions.  While historically dandelions have been thought of as an invasive lawn weed, in modern natural living we know that this precious botanical is much, much more.  It is an important player in our eco-system, a superfood for us and our buzzing bees, and maybe most importantly, the little ray of sunshine that means spring has sprung and life is about to explode all around us!

MY HERO
When I started to imaging the hero of a botanically-based acne skincare line, I was thrilled to find out that what I needed was not only close, but in great abundance all around me.  While some of the most amazing ingredients come from half a world away, this one is about as fresh and local as it gets.  Dandelion is great at reducing inflammation and skin sensitivities.  The root is also high in vitamins A, B, C, and D as well as iron, potassium and zinc, all of which promote clear skin.  When applied topically to acne, it inhibits microbial infection, and taking the dried blossoms internally as a tea can help to detoxify the liver, which also aids in clear, healthy skin.

GETTING TO THE ROOT
My focus for our line was the botanical extracts of both the roots and flowers.  Extract refers to infusing liquid with plant matter and allowing the hydro (water) and lipid (fat) soluble components of these plants to combine with the liquids, allowing them to carry their benefits into a formula.  I created a tincture, or alcohol extract, using a combination of high-proof organic vodka and dandelion roots, to use in both a cream-based moisturizer, blemish stick, serum, and toner.  This process involved harvesting dandelion roots before they flowered, when their therapeutic components are at their highest concentrations.  These roots I cleaned, dried, chopped very fine to give the most surface area contact, and placed into an amber bottle for a month, shaking every few days.  The result was the crystal clear vodka turning to a dark, bronze dandelion extract rich with all the vitamins and antioxidants of the dandelion roots.
​

WATCH ME BLOSSOM
For the dandelion oil, I chose blossoms that had opened in the morning, and waited until the morning dew had evaporated.  I picked these blossoms and sundried them outside for 24 hours until wilted.  I then placed them in a mason jar about 3/4 full and topped it off with organic grapeseed oil.  These sat in a sunny window for about 2 weeks, stirring every couple of days to release the therapeutic properties.  When strained, the grapeseed oil changed from a light green color to a deep yellow.  The change in color is important to let me know the oil was now charged with all the anti-inflammatory goodness of the blossoms.  After triple-straining through cheesecloth, I placed the finished oil in a protective amber glass growler and moved it to the fridge to keep it from oxidizing and becoming rancid.  Refrigeration of carrier and essential oils is a great way to extend their shelf life and protect their precious chemistry.  The idea that we should not moisturize acne skin is a myth.  It's not about avoiding moisture, but choosing the right ingredients that bring a healthy amount of moisture, balance hormonal oil secretion, and help to cleanse bacteria and microbes that cause infection.  Our facial moisturizer and serum pairs several of these important ingredients with our dandelion extracts, and completes this important aspect of a consistent skincare regiment.

Although these ingredients could be purchased from a supplier, I love creating these elements with plants from my own farm, and connecting so closely to all the ways we live synergistically in the natural world.  To see these changes myself, and be a part of the whole process from harvest to completion of a medicinal product, is extremely satisfying, and the results speak for themselves.  

From an over-abundance of plastic bottles, to multiple products that do the same thing, our showers can collect a lot of clutter.  Often times, we can feel overwhelmed by the products that surround us during times that should be relaxing and renewing.  We are constantly being sold more and more options for our personal care, many that we just don't need, or even want, but feel pressured to have.  I'm here to tell you, it doesn't have to be this way!  Decluttering your shower not only makes it visually a more relaxing place to be (and, let's face it, beyond just getting clean, that's what showers and baths do best!), it also brings awareness to the idea that great personal care products can be used on more than one body part, create less expense and less waste, and allow us to fully enjoy each item to the last drop, rather than creating half-empty bottles we've lost interest in, but "feel bad" getting rid of before they're gone.  We recently took the opportunity to help a few of our customers find healthy, low-waste options to go from "too much going on", to a minimalist's shower dream!

"Her Shower" Before + After
Looking at the "before" shower above, we can see this person has collected many products from body wash and shampoo, to soaps and cleansers, and the amount of bottles is extensive.  There is a lot of plastic, including plastic loofah sponges, that have no end life...except to exist in a landfill for the next 500 years.  The two built-in shelves aren't enough to contain the clutter, so an additional hanging shelf had to be purchased to house the products, most of which aren't getting used because they didn't perform the way they promised.  That's a lot of trips to the store, a lot of money spent, and a lot of waste created unnecessarily.  Working with customers to find a product that's both effective and healthy is what we love to do!  This experience was most rewarding to educate our customers that many of our products can be applied for multiple uses.  Did you know, shampoo and body washes, when made with natural, plant based ingredients, are basically the same thing?  While some ingredients are touted for their great head care abilities, these same ingredients are great for skin and other hairy parts. 


​We swapped multiple bottles of body wash and shampoo for one multi-use option.  One bottle of liquid and a jar of conditioner, and even those don't need to be tossed because of our unique refill option. 

We were able to get rid of the plastic sponges and additional soap by swapping the two with our natural luffa embedded body scrub.  Natural luffas are not only biodegradable, they can also be used for household cleaning, in crafts, and more after the soap is gone.  They are machine washable and one of our favorite ways to store our bar products between uses.  When they've given all they can, they can be safely tossed outside to decompose or used as a firestarter.  

We swapped multiple bottles of cleansers and exfoliators for various body parts with our beautiful face whip, a lovely, gently exfoliating formula that can be used everyday.  Because we removed so much additional clutter, we even had room to make way for a shower steamer, bringing even more of a spa-like experience to this precious me-time routine.

Most men we work with want to keep their self-care simple, yet they still get bombarded with options for even the most modest needs.  We took this customer from bottles to bars, without giving up any of the results they seek.  Replacing bottles of shampoo and conditioner with bars is extremely economical and adds a level of ease to daily washing up.  The shampoo bar can easily double as a body wash, and so can shaving soap!  I often use shaving soap for my whole person because I love the silky feel of clay.  Clay in shaving soap helps the razor slip comfortably across the skin, but it also helps to draw out toxins from the body, making it the perfect product for cleansing and shaving.  Gone, again, is the extra wire shelving, and we welcome luffas to prop up our bars to dry and extend their use.

Shared showers bring unique challenges when it comes to having the right amount of product.  With family members of multiple genders, ages, and skincare needs, the amount of product in the shower can add up quickly!  I was excited to introduce this family to products that can be used in multiple ways by multiple family members.  Where originally bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and bubble bath once sat, we offered the option of our combination shampoo + body wash (which can also be used as bubble bath!) for the liquid lovers and a shampoo bar for those who prefer to keep it package-free.  A refillable jar of hair conditioner that can be used on any hair type in a fragrance everyone loved replaced multiple conditioner bottles.  Bar soaps fun enough for kids and strong enough for teens reduced the plastic of even more body wash, and a tub of shaving butter that can also be used as a facial cleanser can be used by multiple family members.  Taking away a bag of bath salts and replacing it with a refillable jar reduces clutter and waste, yet again!  Plenty of luffas make it easy to scrub and store bar products with no landfill footprint (and scraps are always free at YB Urban?!).  

Are you ready to take the leap and make your shower a place to relax and renew rather than a source of anxiety and stress?  Pop into the shop or send me a message to find out how our expertise can ease the burden of constant product disappointment, overspending, and waste.