Sunday, May 24, 2015

Soapmaking Science with Bodyfood


One of my favorite things to do is to make things with my own hands with natural and organic materials (from scratch if possible). Ana, my friend from the hills of Antipolo has been one of my Martha Stewart-ish inspirations since I've met her. Her family likes to make things, too! She is the brains behind BodyFood as its official soap-master maker for 14 years now. 

It's been about 8 years since we've met and collaborated on her  Ladies & Babies Tea Party and Bazaar which I blogged about here. She has these really creative and entrepreneurial get togethers yearly which we happily join or attend to buy unique finds and natural or healthy products. Last year's Tea Party and Soap Exhibit was a sweet success! Read all about that here. Earlier this year was an Artisan Fair which she collaborated with other merchants. Too bad I didn't make it because one of my kids caught a bug but I did blog about it here.

Yesterday, I attended her Soapmaking Workshop which I have been meaning to attend since she decided to teach it to the public. The venue was the home of her younger brother, Vitty Gutierrez who is a master artisan builder! He calls his home The Bee House because there are always bees buzzing around.


We had some of the day's sessions outdoors which was so refreshing for city folks like me. Just look at our grand classroom, so out of the box - literally!


These are some of the basic materials needed. I felt like a badass naturpath chemist! Look at the adorable watercolored notebook made by Ana's mother, Tita Emma Gutierrez. She always has charitable projects for her artworks. Read her blog, Frogglerocks on her beautiful life up in the boonies.


I was so happy to be with friends and basic soap chemisty classmates, Cat and Chicho :) I loooove being a student again. In life, learning never stops! 



After a lecture on the chemistry behind coldpressed soapmaking (no cooking involved!), Ana then brought us indoors to choose our essential oils and other natural additives. Bodyfood soaps aren't cheap. It is because all of the ingredients are so premium. She uses distilled water, essential oils, pure raw honey, shea butter, extra virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, golden jojobal oil....the list of amaaaazing things she has in stock can go on. These things cost a lot. We were taught not to uses (synthetic) fragrances in making soaps because...why would you (lather fake stuff on your skin which absorbs into your body?) 

Ana compares soapmaking to cooking. If you use good ingredients, then the outcome is nothing short of wonderful. Which is what all of her soap creations are, masterpieces.

Gigantic block of Shea Butter and Raw Honey with Honeycomb in bottles!

I chose a Chamomile-Lavender-Geranium blend because I am drawn to flowers that have healing powers. The feminine energy in me this week is strong! Ana had lavender flowers which she had ground up to be used in my soap mixture.


For lunch and merienda, Vitty and his wife prepared salad, pasta (from scratch!), roast chicken, and Tita Emma made a yummy mango-chia seeds in coco cream dessert. We also had fresh iced tea and delicious dayap cake. (Ana!!! I can't stop thinking about this!)


The rest of the afternoon was spent watching our soap mentor do her magic. She chose a decadent chocolate and cocoa butter soap with other divine additives -golden jojoba oil, argan oil, virgin coconut oil, ginger, tagetes/marigold flower tincture.



Look, she expertly does the layering trick to the soap block! I hope to be able to do the same one day soon :)


Viola! My final product is a sight to behold! Look at the gradient coloring, proof that this soap was make with fine natural ingedients. All I need to do is wait until July for it to cure properly before my family is able to relish all of this goodness. For now, we enjoy the scents it has brought into our bedroom. Pure love, made by my own hands. Perfection!


For product updates and future workshops with Ana of Bodyfood, please follow her on Instagram @anagutch. I might just see you in one of her family's DIY gatherings!

Friday, May 22, 2015

A Classic Remedy: Ricqles Peppermint Cure Drops

Just before leaving Hong Kong a few weeks ago without being able to purchase myself anything, I kinda panicked at the airport and bought myself a bottle of the most interesting thing I could find -Alcool De Menthe De Ricqles!

I am certain of one of my past lives as an herbalist or doctor or witch. Here is another addition to my collection of all-natural cures!



What the packaging reads:

This is the authentic product made from France.

Use it to help your digestion, relieve stomach pains, combat fatigue, prevent or help cure, colds, soothe headaches, cool the skin as an antiseptic. 

Relief of dizziness, headaches, motion travel sickness, nausea, blocked nose, stomach aches, combat fatigue, cools the skin

Directions: Adult - Oral 3 times daily 7-8 drops each time. 

Children - Oral 3 times daily 2-3 drops each time. External use - to apply on affected skin areas.

Ingredients : Alcohol 80%, Peppermint oil 1.32%, Distilled water

Because it's been so so hot in Manila these days with news predicting 'This will be the hottest day of the year at 40 degrees", I've been using the Peppermint drops in my water to save my body, mind and soul and I must say that it's effective in cooling down my system. I love that it is also safe for children, and both internal and external use - wow! This will come so handy for my travels :) I will definitely bring this with me wherever I do!

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Can You Live A Day Without Shoes?


TOMS is a respective shoe brand that has gained recognition not only for its products, but mainly because of its unique business model which focuses on corporate social responsbility (CSR) which is quite admirable. It's simple, with every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS gives a new pair of shoes to a child in need, One for One.

Up until May 21, join me as I celebrate the global campaign of TOMS by Instagramming your bare feet with the hashtag #WithoutShoes to give a pair of shoes to a child in need. No purchase necessary! Let's go barefoot at the party! Woohooo!




Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Flow In The City this May 16 at Top Shelf, Fullybooked BGC!


Fully Booked and Aura Athletica present, Flow In The City, a one-day yoga and wellness event on May 16, 2015, Saturday, 10am – 8pm at Fully Booked Topshelf, Bonifacio High Street, BGC.

Spend a full day trying different yoga styles with Monica Manzano and Aisa Winternitz, explore movement with Poi and Hoops by Flow Arts Philippines, kickstart your journey to health at the Green Smoothie Workshop with Jertie's Kitchen, get crafty at the Tie Dye Workshop with Arielle Guevara, learn to heal illness naturally at the Homeopathy Workshop with Denise Celdran, shop from natural, eco-friendly and local brands and sample healthy eats and treats! Connect with like-minded individuals, celebrate yoga, wellness and good health!

Energy exchange: P750 (inclusive of 2 workshops)

A portion of the proceeds will go to Childhope Asia Philippines

Choose your own workshops:



List of participating healthy and lifestyle merchants


More details at our Facebook event page. Register at www.flowretreats.com and get a chance to win a 3D/2N stay at Second Wind Bed, Bunk and Breakfast, Boracay. All participants also get a gift pack from Aura Athletica and other sponsors.

Limited slots only per workshop so secure them ASAP!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Do You Believe in Signs?


Do you believe in premonitions or signs? Many months ago I chose this airplane charm for my Stockton Row bracelet. Little did I know that it was a precursor to many travels! Notice the color of my red string from my Kabbalah community as well as the color theme of Air Asia. Red seems to be my color of choice for the year to represent change, growth and movement!

Air Asia surprised me with their maiden flight to Hong Kong for Mother's Day weekend with #MyLittleGlobetrotters Santi and Maya! Please hop on to the new travel blog dedicated for travel with kids. :)

Follow Stockton Row on Instagram and Facebook @stocktonrow
Email studio@stocktonrow.com to request for a look book :)

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