Is Colostrum The New Super Powder? Meet Armra

August 9, 2022

 

ARMRA is the first colostrum product on the market optimized for human health. Colostrum is an exciting emerging nutrition category (think collagen, 10 years ago) backed by over 5,000 published studies, with powerful immune-boosting benefits and additional health perks ranging from gut and brain health to workout performance and recovery.

Colostrum is a natural superfood produced by all mammals in the first 48-72 hours after giving birth. For 300 million years, it has served the vital function of protecting and strengthening the mucosal barriers of infants before their own barrier matures. Colostrum has been called “liquid gold,” because it acts as an immune blueprint with unparalleled health benefits. ARMRA colostrum is a nutrient powerhouse with 200+ pure bioactives—natural molecules that promote healthy functions throughout the body—including protective antibodies, prebiotics, peptides, amino acids, trace minerals, immunoglobulins, tissue growth factors, antioxidants, and other natural immune factors that work synergistically to enhance all facets of health, ranging from gut and brain health to workout performance and recovery. To date, there are over 5,000 published studies documenting the various health benefits of colostrum and its ability to optimize health at all stages of life (including this study that was done with ARMRA colostrum). Colostrum intake has also been linked to fewer respiratory tract and GI infections in children and adults, including recent studies showing bovine colostrum is 3x more effective than the flu vaccine at preventing flu.

Not all colostrum products are created equal. ARMRA is physician-developed and the only colostrum product on the market optimized for human health. ARMRA uses gentle, low-temperature extraction technology to distill 200+ functional, bioactive nutrients in their most pure and bioavailable form, ensuring maximal health benefits. Crucially, ARMRA uses only the purest colostrum from grass-fed cows raised on family-owned U.S. dairy farms. Responsible sourcing means ARMRA only collects overflow colostrum after baby calves get fed all that they need. And while other products on the market add binders, like maltodextrin, to enhance the dissolvability of their colostrum, ARMRA is pure—with no artificial fillers or additives ever. ARMRA’s proprietary formulation takes out what isn’t needed and combines more of the immune factors that are needed. This extraction process paves the way for the most potent and nutrient-dense product, and the one best matched for the human body.

Anna Beck Designs

July 31, 2022

I found my RING! You know what I mean, that one statement ring you never take off, that somehow says everything about you – This is it, from Anna Beck.

Richly-colored turquoise, apatite, sunstone, and moonstone are hand cut and tucked into a gold vermeil band for a band ring you’ve never seen like this before.

  • Handmade in Bali
  • 18k gold vermeil
  • Ring width: 15mm
  • Sunstone promotes friendship; moonstone brings new beginnings; turquoise protects, apatite is the stone of manifestation
  • Each stone is unique; actual color and shape may vary slightly

Let me tell you, choosing something from Anna is not easy – every piece feels unique, special and one of a kind. Literally impossible to choose. I mean…look at these rings!

And these are just the rings. Everything is stunning.

Prices are low-to mid-range – definitely a special gift for a friend or yourself.

More about Anna Beck:

 

Founder Becky Hosmer started Anna Beck 18 years ago during a trip to Bali. She had always been an admirer of beautiful things, but never thought she could create them. This is where she met her future business partner, Gede, who made jewelry in a little room in the back of his home and inspired her to create pieces of her own. One thing lead to another, and everyone she knew was as excited as she was about the jewelry she was creating. She chose the name, Anna Beck, as a rearrangement of her own name – Becky Ann.

Becky moved to Bali, and a few years after designing those first pieces, Anna Beck grew into a business where Becky quit her day job and followed her passion. As the brand expanded, Becky moved to Bali from Los Angeles and started to understand the magic and beauty behind the pieces. Living and working with the artisans in Bali taught her the art of jewelry making, as well as the art of mindfulness, love and kindness. She became more passionate than ever about her approach to honoring the artisans and the value of handmade objects. Becky lived in Bali for five years, and the lessons she learned would become the foundation of who she is today and who we are as a brand. The Balinese culture taught her how important it is to not only share this beautiful art, but also the intentions and the energy behind it.

With a production based out of Bali, Indonesia, we believe in building lifelong relationships with our partners and community. We are community-minded, forging partnerships that are mutually beneficial, supporting generations of local artisanship.

ALWAYS HANDMADE IN BALI

Our jewelry connects you with the artisan who personally made your pieces by hand. Through this invisible yet powerful bond, we celebrate the beauty of human connection and all its potential.

I can’t recommend her line enough – I would wear every single thing!

Nuvata’s New Mind Body Series Is Wellness In Your Pocket

July 20, 2022

When it comes to cannabis, according to a recent UW report, vaping, relative to combustible smoking, was associated with better health and wellbeing.  Nuvata’s new Mind  Body Series hits the spot. Nuvata’s goal is to make it simple and easy for you to enjoy the wellness, mindfulness, and fun that cannabis can bring to life in the safest and healthiest way possible.

Nuvata products follow a strict set of ingredient standards that are designed to meet compliance and quality requirements now and into the future. There are NO thinning agents to dilute their oil. These compounds can form harmful byproducts when heated. Also, the delicious flavors come from naturally-occurring compounds. Blends use a wide range of botanically-inspired components to create bolder, fruitier, and tastier flavors.

Also, Nuvata uses 100% live resin, it is better at providing consumers with a balanced effect instead of just providing a flavored THC buzz. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to smoking a joint.

Nuvata is an all-natural, premium disposable cannabis vaporizer company with notably tailored, science-backed terpenoid formulations. Their aim is to make achieving mindfulness and wellness as effortless and enjoyable as possible. A simple and easy way to reach for wellness, achieve mindfulness and have some fun with cannabis is through Nuvata’s Mind–Body Vape Series. This series offers six experiences that range from Full Mind to Full Body and each experience has a supporting flavor profile:

Full Mind (Strawberry)

Mind Dominant (Tangerine)

Mind Balance (Tropical)

Body Balance (Lime)

Body Dominant (Blueberry)

Full Body (Wild Grape)

Nuvata vapes are currently available at retailers in California and Oklahoma: https://nuvata.co/find-a-store/

Welcome To The Hotel Californian

June 30, 2022

A quick two-hour drive from Los Angeles and viola, I was transported…I arrived in Santa Barbara’s Hotel Californian to enjoy a fabulous midweek stay. Located in the heart of the Funk Zone, Hotel Californian is in the heart of SB’s finest wineries, cool boutiques, (great vintage) restaurants and cafés (Dart for coffee and matcha!).

Hotel Californian is a boutique, 121-room hotel, featuring super chic spaces from celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Elegant, clean and chic.

I attended a stunning dinner at Blackbird – part of their new summer calendar of engaging events and immersive experiences. (read below!)

Catering to visitors and locals looking to indulge in the hotel’s iconoclastic spirit, the chic urban hotel has curated a series of seasonal events that showcase its compelling indoor and outdoor spaces while embracing the vibrant vibe of the surrounding neighborhood. The exciting roster of activities includes the reintroduction of the hotel’s HOWL @ Djinnfull-moon event series and Sunset Sessions with live DJs on the Mirador rooftop deck – both back after a two-year hiatus –along with the hotel’s first-ever Winemaker Dinner Series at Blackbird restaurant and in person wellness programming – all designed to further demonstrate the hotel’s connection to the local community and position as the pinnacle destination along the American Riviera. Dedicated to the pursuit of getting lost in the experience, Hotel Californian invites guests to fill their summer days and nights with unforgettable happenings that capture the untamed essence of Santa Barbara through these invigorating summer programs.

What a treat this Winemaker Dinner was – divine food, top notch wines and amazing conversation with strangers who became friends!

  • WINEMAKER DINNERS 
    Monthly at Blackbird, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
    The newest addition to Hotel Californian’s program lineup is the Winemaker Dinner series, a monthly food and wine pairing hosted in Blackbird restaurant by visiting winemakers from the Foley Family Wines portfolio. Traveling oenophiles and local wine enthusiasts can indulge in exquisite wines paired with a four-course meal curated and prepared by Hotel Californian Executive Chef Travis Watson. This special dining experience features a rotating selection of wines from across the Foley Family Wines portfolio paired alongside local, sustainable dishes for a contemporary upscale dining experience like no other. Guests who enjoy the wines featured at the Winemaker Dinners can experience them again by visiting The Society: State & Mason, which is now open daily, from Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Serving as Santa Barbara’s newest refuge for wine aficionados in the bustling Funk Zone neighborhood, the intimate tasting room celebrates the intersection between world-class wines, exquisite cuisine, and immersive, memorable travel experiences. To learn more and book a reservation to the first Winemaker Dinner of the series on Thursday, June 23, visit Hotel’s Californian’s online calendar of events. Timing for each monthly event will be available online ongoing and pricing for each event varies.

More fun activites! 

HOWL Monthly at Djinn, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Guests can expect the unexpected as Hotel Californian brings back its popular HOWL @ Djinn full-moon event series with inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa. Happening monthly during each full moon in Djinn, the hotel’s library bar named after supernatural genies from Moroccan folklore, each event features mystic libations – with each month featuring a unique cocktail based on the lunar cycle, personalized Tarot card readings, and classic board games while local indie record label Val-Mar Records spins vinyl. Complimentary to join and open to guests and the public, visit Hotel’s Californian’s online calendar of events for more information or to RSVP for the next HOWL @ Djinn event:

      • Wednesday, July 13: Buck Moon
      • Thursday, August 11: Sturgeon Moon
      • Friday, September 9: Harvest Moon
      • Sunday, October 9: Hunter’s Moon
      • Monday, November 7: Beaver Moon
      • Wednesday, December 7: Cold Moon

     

  • Every Sunday from July 3 – September 4, Mirador rooftop deck, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Every Sunday from July 3 to September 4, audiophiles and sunset seekers alike can come together for Sunset Sessions at Mirador, Hotel Californian’s exclusive rooftop deck, to enjoy craft spirits, delectable bites, and live DJ sets. The ultimate wind down to the weekend, guests can take in 360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and majestic Santa Ynez Mountains as the sun sets over the American Riviera. The complete list of participating musical tastemakers, which will be unveiled on an ongoing basis, is being curated by popular local DJ Dan Dubinsky, who will also headline throughout the summer. Sunset Sessions is free to hotel guests and costs $15 presale and $20 at the door for locals. Space is limited so advance registration via Hotel Californian’s website is highly encouraged.
    Workouts don’t have to feel like work at Majorelle’s Saturday Sessions, which has returned in-person after being hosted virtually for the past two years. This summer, the exclusive fitness series will be curated by Los Angeles-based fitness instructor and founder of Recharge Wellness Co., Rachel McClusky, who also created The Recharge Method. Rachel has hand-selected a rotating lineup of all-star instructors and classes that emphasize the connection of mind and body while moving and creating a release, and she will also host her own series of classes during Saturday Sessions. From sun salutations to sculpt, HIIIT, barre, Pilates, dance cardio, healing meditation, and more, these feel-good fixes are suitable for all levels and provide the perfect excuse to hit pause, reconnect and recharge. Curious exercisers can continue to join these sessions via Hotel Californian’s Instagram LIVE every Saturday morning to get fit and fabulous from anywhere in the world. Upcoming Saturday Sessions include:
      • Saturday, June 18: Barre with Amanda Glassman           
      • Saturday, June 25: Sculpt with Katie Mullen                      
      • Saturday, July 2: Recharge Method with Rachel McClusky              
      • Saturday, July 9: Sculpt with Remy Kam                           
      • Saturday, July 16: Yoga with Marquite Rene                  
      • Saturday, July 23: Pilates with Alysia Pope
      •           

    Saturday Sessions classes are $10 for locals and complimentary for hotel guests and members of Majorelle’s membership program. This newly launched offering provides members with two 60-minute Custom treatments per month, complimentary Fitness Center access, 20 percent off additional treatments and spa retail, access to the Tan-Tan rooftop pool (blackout dates apply), 10 guest passes per year, and $10 daily valet parking. Members also receive 15 percent off the Best Flexible Rate for an overnight stay and a 15 percent food and beverage discount at The Society: State & Mason, Blackbird, Goat Tree, Djinn, and Tan-Tan poolside dining. More information about membership and Majorelle’s one-of-a-kind spa treatments can be found at HotelCalifornian.com.

36 State St, California, Santa Barbara, California, United States, 93101

1-805-882-0100

hotelcalifornian.com

BITE – Zero Waste Toothpaste

June 29, 2022

Bite (Because It’s The Earth) products are all-natural, zero-waste, tube-free, 100% vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free and on a mission to become the world’s most sustainable personal care company. The company started as an oral care brand and has now expanded into general care and makes non-toxic personal care products – ranging from toothpaste and deodorant to body balm, mouthwash, toothbrushes and whitening gel – and packages in a plastic-free and sustainable way. 

When LA resident Lindsay McCormick learned that over 1 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown out every year, that most body moisturizers are 60-80% water (meaning chemicals must be included for a stable shelf life) and 15 million pounds of deodorant packaging ends up in landfills and oceans every year, she made it her mission to create the world’s most sustainable personal care company.

Enter Bite (Because It’s The Earth).

Going from a side hustle in her LA apartment with only $6k in the bank to going viral overnight to turning down both Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary on Shark Tank to building out what’s now an 8-figure cult beauty brand business with fan favorites like Jason Momoa, Don Cheadle, and Iliza Shlesinger, the real question is – how does she do it?

Bite was started by Lindsay McCormick, named by Fast Company as one of its Most Creative People in Business, in her living room in 2018. She initially produced the first Bite tablets on a hand-press tableting machine after enrolling in a self-taught online chemistry course and speaking with hundreds of dentists and dental hygienists as a way to reduce her personal environmental footprint and to create a more eco-friendly oral hygienic routine. After being featured on ABC’s Shark Tank and going viral overnight, Bite wants to continue disrupting the personal care market, one tablet at a time.