Orange Groves of Santa Paula/Filmore
One of my favorite things to do (when I’m not processing orders and making soap) is for my husband and I to take our motorcycle out for a ride. We love winding our way up the highways toward the coast, stopping at various road-side produce stands for a cold drink and fresh fruits and veggies. One of the best rides is through the orchards of Santa Paula, CA headed toward Ventura, Carpenteria and Santa Barbara. While everyone else seems to be buried in snow, here in Southern California we are averaging 10-15 degrees warmer than average temperatures bringing Spring-like weather in the middle of winter. Everything is already blooming and I can honestly say driving through orange orchards is one of the most wonderful experiences for my husband and I. A pleasant breeze blows across the valley with a light, fragrant smell of orange blossoms while honey bees dutifully go from tree to tree pollinating the entire valley. This is the inspiration for our Orange Blossom Honey Soap! It has a warm floral scent from the wonderful aroma of the orange blossom flower melding with honey and is a distinctly Southern California blend.
One of our favorite stops along highway 126 toward Ventura is Francisco’s Fruit Market. Adorned in brightly painted Mexican pottery, Francisco’s fruits offers fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, jerky, olives, honey, and much more. You are even likely to find a rooster or two lazily wandering the grounds in search of a dropped peanut or seed. Many of the fresh ingredients and honeys used in our soaps have come from Fransisco’s.
Pistachio’s are ready for our “Nuts from the Orchard” Soap bar!
This place has it all. Cooking and soaping ingredients. Banana’s for facials are awesome!
Banana Moisturizing Face Mask
Ingredients
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 4 -5 tablespoons ground oats or 4 -5 tablespoons almonds
• mineral water, if necessary
Directions
1. Mash the banana, add the honey, oats and some water to get a good consistency, use your own judgment.
2. Spread the banana mix on to a damp face and neck, put cucumber slices on your eyelids and relax for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Rinse off with lukewarm water.
Organic local honey in a variety of flavors. We love the orange blossom!
We love using locally grown ingredients in our soap making and cooking. Try to find your local growers. It’s worth the effort!
