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Holiday Recipes to Nourish Your Soul
It’s easy to get caught up in overwhelm over the holidays. But, it’s important to remember that this isn’t a competition and there really is no winner. Do what feels right for you and your family so that it’s enjoyable, but also manageable. (And if you need some inspiration, I’m sharing 7 of my family’s favorite holiday recipes in this post–scroll to the bottom for the link.) The holidays don’t mean: Spending more than you can afford on presents Cooking till you drop Staying up until 2 am to decorate the perfect house Saying yes to every social gathering. Instead, set boundaries. Create new traditions that won’t break the bank and take all day–and night. Do it if it makes you feel happy and set it aside (or banish it all together) if it causes too much stress. The most magical thing about the holidays for me, has always been about spending time with the people that matter to me most. Laughing and making memories. And sharing good food together. I hope that you and your family take joy in this collection of simple, but delicious recipes, that always make this time of year festive and special for me and my family. Sausage rolls? Potato latkes? Peppermint bark? What will you make this year? xo Sharmani Download the recipes here.
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Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish
This fresh cranberry orange relish is the perfect accompaniment to heavier holiday fare. It adds a bit of tang, sweet and freshness to what is often a very substantial meal. Leave out the jalapenos if you don’t like things spicy but do add the cilantro; it makes a big difference. Ingredients 1 unpeeled orange, cut into eighths and seeded 1 12-ounce package fresh or frozen cranberries, rinsed and drained 3/4-1 cup sugar (adjust to your taste) 1 tablespoons chopped fresh jalapeno pepper. With or without seeds and depending on how hot you like it. (Use your judgement here!) 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro Directions Place the cranberries and the orange slices in food processor container. Process until mixture is evenly chopped. Transfer to a bowl. Add jalapeno, cilantro and sugar. Stir. Store in refrigerator. Bon Appetit!
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Eat This Healthy Watermelon Salad All Summer Long
This easy, AND, healthy watermelon salad delivers the juicy, cooling hydration that my body craves when the temperature rises. One of the great things about this salad is that it’s soooo versatile. Eat it as a side, as a snack, an appetizer or as a main (just add in more protein). Make it vegetarian—or vegan—throw in your leftovers and call it a day! Shop All Apothekari This is a healthy watermelon salad too! Watermelon is packed with antioxidants and amino acids and also low in calories—1 cup has only 40. The pumpkin seeds (if you use) and olive oil deliver healthy fats and if you throw in some greens and a bit of protein, you’ve got a delicious full meal. Want to get our 5 top tips to help you look your best as you ride the waves of your body’s changes? Click here to get your FREE GUIDE. Healthy Watermelon Salad Ingredients (for 4 servings) 5 tsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2/3 teaspoon kosher salt 3-4 cups watermelon chunks (1 1/2-inch) 2-3 tablespoons finely chopped mint leaves Optional & Substitutions (*faves) *2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese *pumpkin seeds *olives (as much as you like) ? sub basil for mint cucumbers bed of greens finely chopped jalapenos, as hot as you want *Tajin seasoning (a Mexican seasoning made with chili peppers, lime and salt. You may need to adjust seasonings above if you use this so be mindful. (I ? this over any fruit – great with mangos too!) I tend to keep this salad vegetarian but see if you like it with chicken or tuna. Let me know if you try! Directions Whisk the oil, lemon juice, salt. Drizzle dressing over the watermelon and mint. (If you’re using greens, I like to add it in this step) Top with feta, olives and any other toppings. Adjust seasoning if needed. Tip: Put the watermelon in the fridge before cubing. I find it enhances its flavor. Enjoy!
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Apothekari Reviews: Sharing the Skincare Love
We’re always thrilled (and definitely doing a happy dance) when you review our products and share your skincare love for Apothekari. In this post, here’s just a taste of what our fans are saying. Shop All Apothekari For more Apothekari skincare love, check out all our testimonials. Don’t forget to visit our press page too! Got a review or testimonial you’d like to share with us? Let us know on our social feeds or send us an email.
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Is Glass Better? What You Need to Know About Skincare Packaging
Is glass better when it comes to skincare packaging? Many factors need to be taken into account when choosing the best packaging for skincare products. We’ve shared some of them before. When it was time to choose containers for our new look, we did a lot of research. It may come as a surprise to you, but it became clear to us that glass is NOT always better. We’ll explain why in this post. Shop Apothekari Ageless Skin Set *Apothekari Skincare in recyclable containers – product safety & YOUR wellbeing. Is Glass Better? Glass is often promoted as the most eco-friendly option. And while it has some benefits, it does come with its own issues : It’s Breakable. This not only poses a safety hazard if it breaks in your bathroom, but glass can also break during transportation to a recycling facility. Once glass is broken, it cannot be recycled and must go to a landfill, where it will sit for a long, long time. It’s Heavy. The weight means that it costs more, in both monetary and environmental terms, to transport. Its Production is Energy Intensive. More so than plastic, making it requires additional resources. Why Plastic Is a Pretty Solid Choice Research is ongoing regarding suitable alternatives, but when it comes to packaging, there still isn’t a perfect one. Plastic has its issues – we’re too dependent on it and it’s tied to the fossil fuel industry, a very big (and dirty) industry. However, compared to currently available alternatives, it’s actually a pretty solid choice for skincare packaging. Plastic is very efficient to produce, is light to transport, is easily recycled and it’s safe when dropped because it doesn’t break. What About Other Skincare Packaging Alternatives? Yes, other skincare packaging options exist. And, while they do offer some benefits over plastic, they also pose their own challenges: Aluminum. Like plastic, aluminum is safe because it doesn’t break. But, it can’t be recycled everywhere and it is energy intensive to produce. Cardboard/Paper. Takes a lot of energy to produce and isn’t suitable for many types of products like oils, water, other liquids. Soiled paper containers can’t be recycled. Similarly, plastic lined paper cannot be recycled and will end up in a landfill. Biodegradable Plastics. They may sound like the perfect solution, but biodegradable plastics aren’t at a stage where they are necessarily biodegradable or compostable. They may not maintain their stability for products that contain water or oils. And, recycling options are still limited. You can see that questioning ‘is glass better’, isn’t as clear cut as it seems. What is exciting is that technological advances are always ongoing. We’ll be monitoring this space carefully to give you products packaged in containers that put your wellbeing first. Stay tuned!
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Apothekari Press - Our Natural Deodorants, As Seen In!
When you pour your heart and soul into getting something right – 2 years in the development of our natural deodorant – it’s exciting to get a bit of Apothekari press! In this post, positive reviews and some of the coverage we’ve received lately. Shop All Apothekari Natural Deodorants Apothekari Press Deodorant Review Shortly after introducing our deodorants, I stumbled up Wardrobe Oxygen, a blog run by Alison Gary. Alison writes about fashion, beauty and life, including a running review on deodorants that she’s tried. Spoiler: NONE had made the cut. With the greatest of confidence in the effectiveness of our deodorants, I asked Alison if she’d try our deodorants in exchange for a review. She agreed. After using our deodorants for several weeks, Alison declared our Lavender Bergamot Deodorant a winner! Read more about her experience with Apothekari, including other deodorant brands here. If Alison’s blog isn’t on your radar, it should be; she is funny and honest and a great one to follow. Apothekari Press As Seen In BC Business Magazine, Montecristo Magazine & More More Apothekari press in a couple of local publications including the April issue of BC Business Magazine. In Montecristo Magazine, writer Amanda Ross discusses her experience swapping out antiperspirant for a natural deodorant (ours) during these unusual times. We’re also delighted to have been featured on Canadian blogs and/or social media accounts that we LOVE, including: Maddie over at Toronto Beauty Reviews, and Vicki Duong, who gives us a shout out on her post about Vancouver companies perfect for WFH (work from home). Visit our Apothekari press page for all the details. It’s an honour to be recognized for the efforts I’ve put into creating naturally safe essentials for beautiful and healthy skin. Thanks all for your support during these extraordinary times. And, stay safe and healthy.
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Apothekari Skincare : An Indie, Female-Led, Proud Canadian Company!
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Apothekari Skincare is an indie, female-owned & operated, proudly Canadian company! We take our inspiration from apothecaries, the precursor of today’s pharmacies, resulting in a modern-day boutique specializing in healthy formulations for skincare. In this post, we’re sharing more about us, including where we’ve come from, what we stand for and where we’re going. Let’s get acquainted! Our Roots I’m Sharmani Pillay, a pharmacist by training and the founder of Apothekari. My career has involved dispensing medicines, counselling patients on their prescriptions and making recommendations for their wellness needs. Nearly 15 years ago, I took that knowledge to open my own business (now PhaMix.com) selling a range of curated wellness and skincare products. It became clear to me that women needed better skincare products and so Apothekari was born. Our formulations are: Naturally safe, without harmful ingredients Effective, containing optimal concentrations of ingredients proven to deliver healthy & beautiful skin. Whether it’s a moisturizer for dry skin, a serum for brightening or a lotion to diminish the appearance of fine lines. Apothekari’s products work as they are intended, without hype and misinformation. We won’t tell you to use products that you don’t need nor will we scare you into using ones that can’t improve your skin. Image: Stabler Leadbeater Apothecary Museum – Alexandria, Virginia We Stand For Wellness Apothekari provides naturally safe products for face and body, but we stand for much more. Skin is our body’s largest organ and it reflects our overall wellness. Optimal care goes beyond just popping a pill or slathering on a cream. We understand the importance of a holistic approach to wellness and embrace self-care, sound nutrition, exercise, quality sleep and stress management to aging well and looking & feeling good. You deserve exceptional products and services, which means attention to detail in every aspect of our operations. Like many entrepreneurs, I wear lots of different hats and am involved in almost everything, including writing all the blog posts, managing social media, taking photos, working with designers and collaborating with chemists on formulations. On any given day, you may also find me answering phone calls, replying to emails and shipping out orders. Each day is different; boredom is a word that doesn’t exist around here! None of this, of course, would be possible without the small team of wonderful women, whom I’m grateful to work with every day. Exciting Developments For This Canadian Company! There’s no good idea that cannot be improved on. Michael Eisner We’ve recently launched new skincare sets and watch for more coming soon. Lots of innovation is going on behind the scenes, with several products in development, some offering unique advantages over others currently available today. We can’t wait to share them with you! Thank you for being part of our journey. Read more about us here.
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Sharmani Talks Skin Care on Radio
Last week, I had the opportunity to be the featured guest on The Health Hub, a radio show hosted by Cathy Biase on Radio Maria Canada. Cathy is a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and a Certified Professional Cancer Coach who focuses on the importance of nutrition and lifestyle to achieving optimum health. During the show, we discussed all things skin care including: How skin changes as we age Promoting healthy, glowing skin Selecting safe skincare products A newbie to this type of thing, Cathy’s warm and engaging style helped put me at ease and once we got going, we had some great conversation about a variety of topics including, “Do you really need a toner?” If you’re dying to know the answer, you’ll have to listen to the podcast! You can also read more about toners in this blog post. If you missed the show, you can access a podcast of the interview here. Note that the interview begins around the 11 minute mark: ITunes SoundCloud Enjoy listening and I hope you manage to pick up a few tips along the way! *The Health Hub, hosted by Cathy Biase airs on Radio Maria Canada Tuesdays 8 am Pacific/11 am Eastern.
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Love & A Gift for Mother's Day
In honour of Mother’s Day, we’ve put together a sweet promotion for you! Until May 13th, 2018 we are offering the gift of a full size cleanser ($35 value) with the purchase of any of our serums. In Order to Take Advantage of This Promotion: Add either one of the following serums to your cart: A is for Anti-Aging Serum Bespoke Vitamin C Serum 10% Bespoke Vitamin C Serum 15% Add a cleanser of your choice: Cloud Nine Foaming Cleansing Creme OR AHA-Mazing Clean Cleansing Gel Enter the code momlove at checkout and $35 (the cost of the cleanser) will be deducted from your shopping cart. Bonus – Your order qualifies for free shipping! Although you may think that Mother’s Day is related to the many celebrations of mothers and motherhood that have occurred throughout the world over thousands of years, the tradition is in fact, relatively new. First celebrated in 1908, Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, which now holds the International Mother’s Day Shrine. Jarvis wanted to honour her mother, a peace activist, for the work she did in caring for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War. She believed a mother is “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world”. Happy Mother’s Day all.
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Panama. First Impressions
On holidays in Panama! After a rather long flight by way of Denver (points, what can I say?), we touched down at Tocumen International Airport early on Saturday morning. We arrived at our beautiful hotel, Las Clementinas, located in Casco Viejo, the old city, to be welcomed by my parents who had arrived the night before. After a quick refresh, it was time to explore. We decided on an early lunch and headed off to the Mercado de Mariscos, where the locals go to buy seafood and dine on ceviche, fish and cervezas. Open air stalls and plastic tables made for a casual dining experience that didn’t break the bank. We all agreed that the ‘fish fry’ – deep fried fish – was the highlight of our meal. The next day, and the main reason for our Panama vacay, a tour of the Panama Canal. A visit to this engineering marvel was on my dad’s bucket list so when the opportunity arose to accompany him and my mother, we were off! Linking the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, the canal cuts through the Continental Divide and firmly solidifies Panama’s place in global commerce. Built in 1914, an incredible accomplishment at that time, it still is a pretty awe inspiring feat. Our ‘partial transit’ tour involved passing through three locks, watching cargo and cruise ships safely pass through. It was a long day, but the experience of a lifetime. Our last two days involved exploring Casa Viejo, the old town, which is experiencing a revitalization. Colourful old buildings sit alongside ruins. The area is filled with restaurants, rooftop bars, shops and history at every turn. This was the place to soak up history, have some great cocktails and experience Panama. We visited the ruins of Panama Viejo, the city’s original site, which was sacked by pirate Henry Morgan and resulted in a move to what is now known as Casco Viejo. The Frank Gehry designed BioMuseum was a stunning piece of modern architecture, which also explained the origin of the Panamanian isthmus and its impact on the planet’s biodiversity through interactive galleries. Our last night in Panama was capped off at Maito, listed on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants List. We experienced a beautifully presented, inventive and delicious tasting menu in a gorgeous house. Today, we are off to visit the Highlands of Boquette, before ending our trip at the islands of Bocas del Toro. Stay tuned for Part 2!
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Business 101 - The Importance of Teamwork
As a small business owner, the importance of teamwork can’t be emphasized enough. While I’ve had to wear many (MANY) different hats over the years, I know that building a successful business does not come via one’s hands alone. During the early days of building my first online wellness business, I did everything. I answered phone calls, packed and shipped orders, replied to emails, maintained inventory, wrote blog posts and newsletters and worked social media. I’d worry about paying the bills. Money was hard to come by, but making the leap to hire someone to help me in the day to day management of the business was one of the best decisions I ever made. By taking every day activities like shipping, customer service and inventory management off my plate, I was able to focus on the task of building the business. I left the accounting to an accountant. And, I hired someone to help with social media. While it seemed that I was spending money that I didn’t have, hiring an employee and other specialists was one of the best business decisions I made. Delegation is Key As a bit of a self-admitted control freak, delegation did not come easily. The right way was to do it perfectly and to do it my way. I soon discovered that this was a recipe for disaster. While good systems and best practices are essential to business success, people often get to the same endpoint in different ways. If you hire well – intelligent, motivated and resourceful people – things get looked after just as well and often better, than one person trying to juggle too many things at once. Team members who understand the direction of the company, its processes and its hardships take ownership in a way that allows a company to flourish. In order to thrive, a business needs to rely on a group of people who look after different aspects of the company. Teamwork ensures for a division of labour that helps to maximize efficiencies, allow specialists to do what they do best and for everything to get accomplished in the best possible way. Today, I work with a range of people who are employees, contractors and consultants. Customer Service Specialists Social Media Manager/PR Consultant Accountant Internet Specialists Photographers/Videographers Writers Their focus on specific activities frees me to the job of building Apothekari. The old adage “Two heads are better than one” exists for a reason. It’s true! Effective teamwork fosters creativity, builds trust, blends complementary skills and promotes a wider sense of ownership. It’s a business lesson I’ve learned well.
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New Ways to Enjoy the Spa
Who doesn’t love going to the spa? If this is one of your favourite ways to indulge, then you may want to know about new concepts that can help to take your outing up one level. Derived from the name of the town of Spa, Belgium, whose name originated in Roman times, the word spa itself denotes “fountain”. The town is famous for its natural mineral springs, and is also the location of a mineral water producer, whose mineral water is exported worldwide. Spa therapies have existed since the classical times when taking bath with water was considered as a popular means to treat illnesses. Forms of ritual purification existed among the Native Americans, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans and today, this ritual carries on through the religious ceremonies of Jews, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus, which reflect the ancient belief in the healing and purifying properties of water. Lately, novel twists on the spa have been cropping up: 1. The Beer Spa Home to Spain’s first beer spa, the Granada Beer Spa provides beer baths to relax muscle tension, prevent skin aging, reduce stress and help eliminate toxins, according to the venue. Baths include yeast, hops, malt and cinnamon, which the skin absorbs in 20 minutes. Additionally, each bath offers beer taps on the side. The spa also offers body treatments with beer. Apparently the concept is catching on as there are plans to open locations in Madrid, Valencia and Marbella, amongst others. 2. Candy Spa This pop-up salon/spa, Sweet ReTREAT, was held in New York City on February 13th and 14th by Mars Wrigley. Inspired by the company’s chocolate and candy, the pop-up included treatments themed to their top confection brands including Dove, Twix, Skittles and Starburst. Art installations and a candy beverage bar were part of the event. The bonus? It was all free! If you missed the pop-up this year, you can keep your fingers crossed that the company will host another one next year. 3. Gin Spa Only in Britain! Located in Glasgow, Scotland, the Gin Spa brings together a deep understanding and knowledge of gin botanicals, with a focus on crafting superb customer experiences. Treatments include massages, facials and nails and a gin cocktail is included with each treatment. 4. Salt Spa Set to open soon, Speleos Salt Spa, North Hampton will focus on halotherapy, or using salt for therapeutic purposes.The spa will use active and passive forms of halotherapy alike, and will utilize a halo generator to crush pharmaceutical grade salt. Spa going, for me, is a special occasion thing. I’ve yet to try any of the four listed above, but two that I’ve been to most recently include: Spa Scanidave. A traditional Scandinavian baths experience set in a spruce and cedar forest in the mountains. Focusing on hydrotherapy, one can indulge in a range of hot and cold water treatments – steam baths, saunas, Nordic waterfall and showers, cold plunge baths and solariums and outdoor fireplaces. Absolutely magical, especially if you catch it while the snow is falling. Miraj Hammam Spa. This exotic oasis lets you indulge in traditional Middle Eastern treatments including Hammam (steam room) & Gommage (exfoliation). The experience leaves skin feeling soft and supple and you feeling most relaxed. You can even spa at home. Try incorporating Apothekari body treatments into your daily routine for an indulgent experience that won’t break the bank. Do you do spa?
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