Having a long week? Exhausted from all those emails? Sick of having your phone glued to your ear? Chivas Skin Care knows just the right ingredients for a relaxing and rejuvenating bath, one of the ingredients is their very own goat milk bath salt… There is an ingredient for each day of the week and an explanation behind each one.

Find out what the ingredients are and read the whole article by clicking here.

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2. Skin Care
3. Benefits of goat milk in Soma Get Fit spa products

April 22, 2010 marks the 40^th anniversary of our celebrated Earth Day, which auspiciously started in our very own hometown of Santa Barbara (http://www.cecsb.org/). Today Earth Day is globally recognized and celebrated as a day to recommit to our 3 R’s: REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE so that our planet and we can live sustainably. However, to live sustainably and to have our planet thrive it takes more than one day a year. It takes an everyday “green” mind over “organic” matter approach to ultimately live sustainably within the means of our natural resources. But who said it’s hard or more work to live within ecological balance!? It’s actually as easy as your ABC’s to be green- all the way from iPhone apps to legislative acts, 3R’s trade-ins to eco work-outs, social meet and greats to green eats, to home cleaning and body cleansing.

Below are some of SOMA GET FIT favorites for living sustainably on Earth Day and Everyday!!

How to be Earth friendly for Earth Day and Everyday:

Eco ABC’s:

We love Care2Healthy & Green Living’s how to be earth friendly daily Eco ABC’s with quick and easy ways to make your day-to-day lifestyle earth-styled. Click on each letter of the alphabet (http://www.care2.com/greenliving/tag/eco-abcs) for an in depth of how to be green or take the challenge and see if you can come up with your very own eco alphabet pledges. In honor of SOMA GET FIT we made our own eco alphabet pledges…

S–Sustainable short showers with low flow showerheads instead of taking baths.

O–Outdoors, outdoors, outdoors! Take the opportunity to breathe in the fresh air on a hike, bike, run or doing yoga outdoors!

M–Mindfulness and meditation. Allow time each day to bring awareness and the extra-ordinary into the ordinary of life!

A–Adventure locally and explore new trails, parks or beaches by foot, bike or board and discover a new sanctuary.

G–Grow a garden, start composting, and I guarantee you will grow a community of eco biodiversity and new friends.

E–Eat local, organic foods that are in season.

T–Turn off all things that plug-in by using a power strip. When your computer, lights, kitchen appliances etc. are not in use its as easy as a flip of a switch to save $ and the planet.

F–Fix it or find it before putting it behind you! In other words instead of throwing things away see if they first can be fixed or if someone else can use it; you know Reduce Reuse Recycle.

I–Invest in or even better yet be inventive and make your own re-useable water bottle, hot mug and shopping bags made of renewable long lasting materials.

T–Transportation first by foot, second by bike, and third by carpool, bus, or mass transit.

Free Eco Apps (for iPhone):

Easy for on the go eco we love iRecycle (http://itunes.apple.com/app/irecycle/) and       FindGreen (http://itunes.apple.com/app/FindGreen/).  They are just a few of our favorite apps for knowing which materials and where we can recycle as well as find local green and sustainable businesses like SOMA GET FIT, bicycle shops to tune our bikes, or find organic restaurants when we are hungry! Latest app that is out for 2010 Earth Day is Billions Acts of Green (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/billion-acts-of-green/) where you and billions of others from around the globe can find local Earth Day events, share eco pledges, and create community projects that fulfill your passion for preservation and protection of Earth.

Eco Acts:

There are many legislative Acts and causes that need your signature as a voice for making a difference in this world. On Earth Day you can do your part by signing the Earth Day 2010 Climate Declaration, which is part of the official Earth Day 2010 Campaign (http://action.earthday.net/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2732) to making an eco pledge and/or take action.

Eco Trade-Ins:

We mentioned Reducing, Reusing and Recycling as a great everyday practice for living an everyday Earth day. But here are a few resources that will keep the 3R’s easy as a click away. Whenever you are in need of “new” stuff or want to get rid of your “old” stuff check out Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org), TerraCycle (www.TeraCycle.net) or Craigslist (www.craigslist.org/). Who knows maybe you’ll find your next bike, kayak, SUP, or even some outdoor adventure friends!

Eco Work-Outs:

During our SOMA GET FIT workouts we like to work it outdoors, and when we need a mat we would rather be in the dirt than on a non recycled sustainable mat, so we go for the green and like to get down in our downward dogs on Eco-Mats that are made from non-toxic TPE, which contain no PVC or latex. Our favorites for finding an Eco-Mat are Gaiam (http://www.gaiam.com/), Barefootyoga (http://www.barefootyoga.com), and Lululemon (www.lululemon.com).

Eco Meets & Eats:

Check what is going on in your community for Earth Day and join your community for some fun meet and greets with fun green eats! On Earth Day Network (http://www.earthday.org/events/) you can find or even create events in your communities to celebrate getting down and green, and in TimeOut (http://www.timeout.com/) you can find the hottest, yet still carbon neutral clubs, bars, and restaurants that are painting the town green. In NYC for example you can join the Earth Day is Everyday Ride (Meet at the southern end of Union Square, E 14th St between Broadway and University Pl, times-up.org; Thu 22 at 7pm, free), for a group bike ride organized by environmental organization Time’s Up! This year’s trek goes from Union Square to Billyburg watering hole East River Bar (97 South 6th St between Bedford Ave and Berry St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn), where riders will take part in a BYO barbecue and be treated to a DJ, dancing and an Eco Art Show, courtesy of JustSeeds Cooperative. And If you like your vino in abundance and sans pesticides, herbicides or fungicides, imbibe more than 20 different “green” wine varietals at NYC’s Chelsea Wine Vault’s Think Earth Drink Green tasting (Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave at 16th St; 212-462-4244, chelseawinevault.com; Thu 22 7–9pm, $30).

So find your city and green-it up!

Eco Cleaning & Cleansing:

Last but not least Earth everyday comes back to the home and to the heart, where spring cleaning and cleansing are often a laborious chore to rid or detoxify ourselves of the burden of dust, pollutants, chemicals, and other build-up. When we clean, treat and care for our homes and ourselves we always go for natural green cleaners such as Seventh Generation (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/) products that are safe for the air, surfaces, fabrics, pets, and the people living in our homes and Chivas Skin Care (http://www.chivasskincare.com/) made from fresh hand-milked goats, herbs from the garden, and fair trade shea butter & natural essential oils for our bodies. We also found a great way to get rid of nagging health problems such as allergies and fatigue and enjoy greater energy and a greener planet with this new book Clean, Green & Lean (http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Green-Lean-Toxins-That/) by naturopathic doctor and environmental medicine physician Dr. Walter Crinnion. With these helpful insights on our search to reveal and remove everyday chemicals and toxins in our homes and in our bodies the doctor helps guide us through those certain items in our homes and foods that slow our metabolism and can lead to common health ailments. Thanks Doctor Green!

From ALL of us at SOMA GET FIT…

HAPPY EARTH DAY EVERYDAY!!!

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1. A SOMA Experience Video: Edward Farwick
2. Soma’s Karen Keltner Shares Her Tips For Earth Hour
3. A Review in Vital Juice for Soma Get Fit

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Our newest baby goat at the Chivas Skin Care farm (she is still in need of a fitting name, any ideas?)

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The baby goats all get along pretty well.  Sometimes they kiss & snuggle.  Sometimes they fake fight.

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They are all healthy and active, especially “Bart” who you can see here jumping up on the water bucket.  (with his protective mother not far behind)

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Bart is not only the most active, but also the most friendly.  Here he is jumping up on my leg.  He also likes when I hold his front feet and “dance” with him.

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Can you tell I have a crush on Bart?  Here he is kissing my hand.  I told you he was friendly!

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Want to see more pictures and videos of the goats? (coming soon)

Want to learn more about the benefits of goat milk skin care?

Want to learn more about how Soma Get Fit uses Chivas Skin Care in their spa packages?

Related posts:

1. Chivas Skin Care Shared Tips on How to Relax
2. Join Soma at the 4th annual Chivas Holiday Boutique!
3. Benefits of goat milk in Soma Get Fit spa products

It has been argued that the greening of athletic shoes is often the most difficult because of all of the different components involved in creating a shoe.

That fact didn’t stop The Brooks Running Company who just released The Green Silence Running Shoe made from 75% post consumer materials and non-toxic soy-based dyes. In fact, the Green Silence uses less than half as many parts compared to a regular running shoe. The components are even biodegradable and whatever needs to be held together is done with water-based adhesives. Basically, when it comes to sustainability, this shoe has set the “Green Standard.”

All of these environmental strides are great, but only if the shoe really works. As you may know we’ve launched the We Run Green Campaign here on YDT as I train for the Los Angeles Marathon, so as a part of my training regimen I took these puppies out for a spin.

The first thing I noticed was how light weight the shoe felt; I use to think my Asics were pretty light, but they seem like clogs compared to these. I also enjoyed the breathability the shoe provided, keeping my feet cool and comfortable. There was plenty of cushion and support too, no different than my regular gear.

The verdict: Brooks achieved its goal of creating a shoe that “incorporates sustainability, without sacrificing performance.” I’m going to keep training in them and use them for the big day. After the 26.2 miles, I’ll let you know if I still like them.

There is just one request I have from a more stylistic perspective – more color selection please! Perhaps if I were part of the German national running team I might feel different, but red, yellow and black are not my favorite color combos.

You can purchase the Brooks Green Silence Online for $100.

Learn More: Check out Brooks’ commitment to the environment and what happens to the lifecycle of your shoe on its website.

Don’t forget, when you’re done with these or any athletic shoes, be sure to recycle them.

Related posts:

1. Running the L.A. Marathon As Green As I Can Be
2. Building a Running Base
3. Green Holiday Gift Guide: Affordable, Local, Environmental

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2. SOLACE RETREAT WITH SOMA GET FIT
3. ORGANIC MAGIC-SOMA GET FIT

You can enjoy a holiday shopping experience (with 7 local vendors) within an hour from either Los Angeles or Santa Barbara!  Soma Get Fit will be offering mini-massages from 1:30pm to 4:00pm and teaching a Gray’s functional movement class from 4:00pm to 4:30pm.  Plus, you can enjoy our other workshops on DIY skincare, goat cheese making, green living and pilates.  And don’t forget to meet the goats behind Chivas’s goat milk soap and skin care line and try the yummy goat milk-inspired appetizers and deserts that Chivas co-founder, Donna, will be making especially for this event.

Please be sure to RSVP at rsvp@chivasskincare.com!

Learn more about how Chivas Skin Care partners with Soma Get Fit

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1. Benefits of goat milk in Soma Get Fit spa products
2. New baby goats at the Chivas Skin Care farm!
3. Chivas Skin Care Shared Tips on How to Relax

by Lauren Johanson

All of us here at Chivas Skin Care are excited to be sharing our line of all-natural spa products with Soma Get Fit.  What makes our line unique is that many of our products are made with goat milk.  “Goat what?” you might ask.  Yes, goat milk is the main ingredient in the massage lotion used by Soma Get Fit’s bodywork specialists, as well as the goat milk bath salts and goat milk facial crèmes used for the Soma body treatments and facial treatments (as well as our signature goat milk soaps).

Goat milk has long been regarded as the ultimate skin luxury. It is said that Cleopatra’s beauty secret was bathing in goat milk.  And we now know why!  Goat milk is:

• Nourishing because it has more vital vitamins and triglycerides (fats) than either cow’s milk or water. It is packed with vitamins A, B, C & D as well as protein, calcium, potassium and magnesium.  Great for mal-nourished skin!
• Gentle because it has a pH level that is closest to that of our skin.  It contains Caprylic Acid which maintains this low alkalinity. Great for sensitive skin!
• Moisturizing because its short-strand protein structure allows it to be easily absorbed into the skin.   Great for dry skin!
• And recommended by dermatologists to patients who suffer from dry skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

For more information about goat milk, including tips, news and recipes, visit our Chivas Skin Care blog.

Related posts:

1. Join Soma at the 4th annual Chivas Holiday Boutique!
2. New baby goats at the Chivas Skin Care farm!
3. Chivas Skin Care Shared Tips on How to Relax

Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation is the major culprit in photoaging. UVA is present throughout the year but most intense during the summer.  It can pass through the windows of your home, office and car, and it damages your skin by penetrating into its deeper layers. Unfortunately, UVA protection is not available in all sunscreens, and even those that contain screening agents for UVA do not offer total protection.

Vitamin C to the rescue! According to an article published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, studies have suggested that vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant for UVA and ultraviolet B (UVB), making it a useful addition to your daily sunscreen. Humans cannot synthesize vitamin C. They must ingest it, and body mechanisms limit the amount that can be absorbed and delivered to the tissues. The skin only receives about 8% of any vitamin C that is taken orally.

Current topical products for the skin containing specially formulated vitamin C now can provide additional protection for your skin. And, unlike most sunscreens, once vitamin C gets into the skin, it cannot be rubbed or washed away. Topical vitamin C can even be used to treat sunburn. Researchers have suggested that vitamin C can increase collagen synthesis, a reaction that is important in wound healing. It also appears to be useful in reducing fine wrinkling.

A number of skin products containing vitamin C are available commercially however they may not contain pure or adequate amounts. Dr. Buchanan at the Santa Barbara Plastic Surgery Center offers the Obagi Professional C Serum 15% to his patients as well as the Obagi-C Rx skin health system. These products contain pharmaceutical grade ingredients and offer the best benefit to your skin during hours of summer fun! For more information check www.drbuchanan.com.

Article by Dr. Buchanan’s Office

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