the truth serum

A slightly healthier take on pumpkin bread. Made with carrots, these pumpkin bars are high in vitamin A and will disappear quickly.  The cream cheese frosting adds a decadent feel and is oh so good. You can substitute butter for Earth Balance or another butter substitute like coconut oil. The bars are easy to make and pair perfectly with your favorite PSL.   Pumpkin-Carrot Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting By Pop Sugar (Modified from SparkPeople)   Ingredients   2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour  (for gluten-free try Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Flour, or your favorite gluten-free flour) 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 2...

Laura, our head of marketing, is a busy mom and like many, she is managing work, constant household duties and virtual schooling. After taking a hiatus from cooking for the month of September (her family lived on take-out, mac and cheese and sandwiches) she is ready to cook again.  This is one of her favorite weekday meals and always feels fancier than what it is. It’s also quick and great for kids.  An added bonus is clean-up is pretty easy. Enjoy!   GNOCCHI WITH SAUSAGE AND SPINACH    INGREDIENTS: 2 9-ounce packages refrigerated gnocchi or 17.5-ounce package shelf-stable gnocchi. 2...

Laura, our Head of Marketing, was looking for something that was easy to make and easy to pack for a picnic. She wanted something healthy yet filling and "summery".  She turned to "Plant Power Bowls" by Sapana Chandra for some inspiration. The KG team met Sapana last year and everyone fell in love with her and this book. Laura instantly became a huge fan of this and wanted to share. Note that she didn't make the cashew dressing but instead just used some good olive oil and lemon.    Watermelon and Arugula Bowl Ingredients: 2 Big Handfuls of Arugula  2 cups cooked...

Have you noticed that Vitamin C has become the darling of skincare recently? A glance at any beauty magazine and you'll likely see a new serum, moisturizer or toner with Vitamin C as its headline ingredient. It's been around for years, and it's one of the most research-proven ingredients in skincare. So why is everyone buzzing about Vitamin C now? Because it’s genuinely effective!   What is Vitamin C?   First and foremost, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant protecting skin against free radical damage.  Free radicals are all around us: UV light, smog, cigarette smoke, and stress, and they...

Here at Kari Gran we believe the question of what makes a clean sunscreen comes down to two fundamentals.  First, what kind of UV filter (or active ingredient) does it have?  Secondly, what other ingredients are in it, and are they good for you and your skin? Our definition of clean sunscreen is one that uses zinc oxide as its UV filter. Zinc oxide is the only UV filter that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays (aka broad-spectrum sunscreen).  All other UV filters with either mineral or chemical active ingredients need to be used in combination to...

When Laura, our Head of Marketing, learned we were doing a lip whip named after Georgia O’Keeffe, she was happy. One, because she loves Georgia O’Keeffe and two because she is a native New Mexican. In fact, when Kari made her trip to New Mexico last year, Laura gave her a list of “don’t miss” foods and restaurants to keep Kari and her husband full and happy for days.   During these recent weeks of staying safe at home, Laura’s revisited her New Mexican roots by making Posole, one of her favorite dishes.  Posole is a spicy corn stew traditionally made...

Living in Seattle, we feel a deep connection to our surrounding mountains, lakes, forests, and Puget Sound. After all, Seattle's known as the Emerald City in Washington, the Evergreen State. That's a lot of green. So perhaps being conscious stewards of our environment is simply part of our DNA.   We at Kari Gran wholeheartedly embrace the idea of "eco-luxe." We aspire to be as kind to our planet as we are to our skin. We were championing Green Beauty long before it became the latest buzzword in the beauty industry. From the first cup of (sustainable) coffee in the morning to...

When I was 47 and saw 50 in my sights, I decided to finally get serious about exercise. Pilates and yoga became a serious commitment.  A decade after that, I stopped coloring my hair, made it through the gross grow out, and three years later, I’m finally not shocked when I see my reflection. Last year, at 61, I was recruited to be a “celebrity” dancer for a big charity event here in Seattle called Seattle Dances. This event is for Plymouth Housing, an organization that provides hope and housing to the homeless. This event represents 90% of its yearly...

Ever wondered what the term “Green” Beauty actually means? The green beauty movement started from a growing awareness of the harmful effect’s conventional cosmetics and skincare products may have on our skin, our bodies, and our environment. The green beauty barometer survey shows more and more women are paying attention to ingredient labels, wanting to make sure the products they purchase are good for the planet as well as their skin. Defining Green Beauty Products Surprisingly, there is currently no FDA set of standards or regulations that brands must meet to label themselves as green. This makes it tricky for...

This Sunday, March 8th, is International Women’s Day.  It’s a day to celebrate women and the positive impact we make in the world, socially, culturally, economically, and politically.   We've come a long way, baby, but there is still much to do. How Kari Gran Is Contributing. This year we’re especially excited about how we’ve chosen to commemorate this occasion. We’re teaming up with our friends at Grove Collaborative to introduce a fresh new Lip Whip color!  We’re calling this latest lip whip Georgia, sold exclusively through Roven (a subsidiary of Grove Collaborative.) The best part?  All proceeds from sales of...