
Happy new day!
I wish I had said this. I do feel it in my bones not just at the new year, but with every quiver of energy that vibrates through my body. I hope we all play these words on a continuous mental loop well beyond January 1.

Great journeys never end, they just change directions
Hi! My name is Courtney! Some of you may recognize me as a longtime local on the California coast. I am a yoga practitioner, a masseuse, a mother, a lover of nature. And I am extremely fortunate, grateful, exuberant, humbled and proud to be the new owner of Gaia Essentials.

Solutions to summer skin ailments
Let me preface this entry with the disclaimer that I am not a doctor so my advice should not be interpreted as professional medical opinion. That said, I do get a lot of calls from people seeking advice about various skin ailments and, after more than 15 years working in the skincare business, I feel pretty confident about what works for different skin issues.

Sustainable farming practices: What to know before you consume
So, what do chickens have to do with soap and skincare? On the surface, not a whole lot, but when I came across this little video produced by the Sustainable Food Trust, I knew I had to re-post it. The chicken and farming graphics are adorable but it's the message behind the video that I think is truly worth spreading.

Choose your vegetable oils wisely!
Okay, let's talk about vegetable oil. Is it good for you, bad for you? The stuff is often billed as a panacea of sorts. For example, some have been said to aid in weight loss, help prevent cancer and—when used as a mouthwash— can even fight gum disease.

Preparing to take the formidable path toward certified organic accreditation
Thirty years ago— two decades before this business was born—I would have never believed I would one day be headed down the long road paved with massive accounting procedures & inspection processes, toward organic certification.

Determining the right moisturizer for you
Our skin works hard to protect us from the elements so it makes sense to give it some g...

Aren't Farmers' Markets fantastic?
Similar to the Town Square in times past, Farmer Markets draw the community together. ...