truth serum

With International Women’s Day fresh in my mind, it got me to thinking about how women got to where we are today. Netflix now has a documentary called “Feminists: What were they thinking?” which takes a look at the 60’s/70’s women’s movement. The 60’s & 70’s were a pivotal time when so much was changing. It was inspiring to hear the personal stories of many of these women and how the consciousness-raising feminist movement of the 70’s shaped and changed their lives, as well as the lives of women all across the country. This documentary is framed around a 1977...

Have you been feeling an extra shimmer of positive energy recently?  Maybe it’s because today is International Women’s Day. It’s a day to celebrate women and their achievements politically, economically, and culturally, all around the globe. As a woman-owned business and enthusiastic supporters of other women, it seems like a good time to reflect on how we “walk the talk”.  We know how powerful women can be when we’re passionate about something. We believe in our bones that one of the greatest strengths women have is the gift of empathy. When we combine empathy with action, we can see so...

Here’s kind of a crazy story. Last year, my brain was bubbling with the idea of creating a softer, friendlier red shade of Lip Whip. Something in the coral family was calling my name. So, I rolled up my sleeves, put on my hairnet, and got into my happy place:  the lab. I mixed up a new Lip Whip with the right hue of warm coral. I was happy. Great, right? But at the same time (in 2018), we launched our new packaging with rose gold lids, so I veered slightly and tweaked it to Rosie Gold Lip Whip (which...

If you follow food trends, you probably already know that celery is clearly having a breakout moment — food professionals, wellness bloggers, and chefs alike are crushing hard on it. Why, exactly, has celery suddenly exploded? One of the buzziest reasons: celery juice. Devotees are posting thousands of instagrams, rhapsodizing about its sweeping health benefits, while most doctors remain skeptical of the miracle of celery juice claims.  I’m not a believer that any single vegetable is a magical superfood, curing all ills. However, here’s what I do believe experts agree on. Celery is a great source of vitamin K, potassium...

Did you know your stomach is a smarty-pants? Our digestive system is the second largest part of our neurological system - that’s why it’s called our second brain. Would you be surprised to know that 70–80 percent of your entire immune system is located in your digestive tract? We’re used to thinking of bacteria as nasty germs; however, there’s plenty of healthy intestinal bacteria inside us as well. (Also called microflora, which is such a prettier word, isn’t it?) The trick is to keep all these microorganisms in a healthy balance. Digestive experts agree that the balance of gut flora...

WE’RE EMBRACING OUR INNER MINIMALIST. FIND OUT HOW HERE. Streamlining, simplifying, making smarter choices – these are our dreams for 2019. So how, exactly, do we make that happen?  This inspired us to host a fun workshop (with a little party mixed in) with a few of our favorite, super-smart friends last Saturday who shared their best tips for doing just that. Many long-time Kari Gran customers, newbies, and a few social influencers came to the workshop. We noshed on nutritious, delicious bites, learned about the essential vitamins every woman needs and had a wardrobe makeover maven help guide us...

“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.” — Lily Tomlin “Slow living isn’t about doing everything in life as slowly as possible. It’s about doing everything at the right speed. It’s about saying “no” to the things that don’t add value to your life so you can fully say “yes” to the things that do. Slow living is about well-being and doing everything as well as possible instead of as fast as possible.” — Kyle Kowalski Quick, let’s talk about the Slow Living Movement! I was delighted to find a website that I really clicked with called Sloww.Co. It’s written by...

Looking for more inspiration for health and wellness? Check out, Katie Cavuto. We’ve long admired the work that Katie does and couldn’t agree more with her philosophy that health is holistic and wellness begins with positive messages of self-love, self-respect, and joy. Katie not only shares health and wellness tips but also tons of good for you recipes! Here are two recipes that are definitely going onto my rotation of easy and simple meals.  “Creamy” Cauliflower Soup with Za’atar Mix and Match Simple, Healthy One-Pan Chicken Dinners Check out Katie Cavuto's blog or follow her on Instagram (psst, stay tuned for a...

My skin is dry…really dry (like Sahara Desert dry).  Thanks to a cranky thyroid (or lack thereof) I have super dry skin and hair.  The thought of using a double cleanse system has never had any great appeal to me.   Fast forward to an evening where I was using the Cleansing Oil to remove my makeup and sunscreen.  That day had been one where I wore more makeup than usual for photography.  I really enjoy the process of using the Cleansing Oil each night.  It feels luxe and I love the quiet moment of calm I get while doing it.  I’ve...

Is this the year you’re going to be more organized, get more done, and be more cheerful about it all?  If that’s your goal, consider this:  many studies suggest that trying to do more than one thing at a time can actually diminish productivity and performance. About 30 years ago, an article in Vanity Fair captured my attention titled  “Acceleration Syndrome: How Life Got Much, Much Too Fast”.  This was before everyone had cell phones, before texting, before we all had a personal computer and a million distractions. If life felt busy and pressured all those years ago, how are...