La Bella has our first "Bello", Il Bello of the week, Brian Guadagno!

This week we have our first "Bello!"  Brian Guadagno, a real life hero and lifeguard who spends his time on the beach and creating organic sunscreen to not only protect our skin, but the ocean as well.  Raw Elements USA is the name of his company and if you read the ingredient list you'll be rushing to get yourself some of this organic goodness, made with organic sunflower oil, green tea, cocoa and mango butter to name a few!

Brian in action!

La Bella Figura: Who are you?

       
Brian Guadagno: Brian Guadagno, 17 year professional ocean lifeguard and I try to be the best person I can.
LBF: Where do you live?

       
BG: I split time between Southern California, Rhode Island in the summer.

LBF: What is your occupation?

       
BG: President and Founder of Raw Elements USA, Chemical Free Sunscreen, #1 rated by The Environmental Working Group for safety and efficacy.

LBF: What is your astrological sign?

       
BG: Cancer

LBF: What do you do for fun and recreation?

BG: I love to fish, music, shoot photography, anything and everything at the beach and on the ocean, spend time with my family and friends.

LBF: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

BG: Either the plains of Africa to capture it with my lens or somewhere with the perfect wave alone..

LBF: What do you enjoy most about your life?

BG: I enjoy being blessed with the most amazing family and so many great friends. I also enjoy having had the opportunity to have saved lives in the ocean along side some of the most dedicated and trustworthy friends in the world.  Knowing that they will always be there by your side, no matter how bad it gets, is a pretty amazing feeling.

LBF: What made you try organic products?

BG: I think initially it was my discovery of all the chemicals that make up traditional sunscreens. I felt pretty foolish that as a lifeguard, I had been using these products for so long and never thought to look into what was in them, how it would effect me or the environment. That was an eye opener for me and it changed my approach to everything that I use from food, to cosmetics and so on. .

LBF: If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we
find out about you?

BG: I think it would probably be that I have a terrible habit of biting my nails. I've tried to shake it before, guess the hand modeling thing is out!

LBF: What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

BG: I would have to say organic cocoa butter and organic coconut oil, can't beat that! Oh, and considering we are speaking about the desert, Raw Elements ECO STICK SPF 30+ for sure!


LBF: What will you be doing this weekend?

BG: This weekend I am definitely taking my dog, Doc, for a hike, long over due!

LBF: Sum up a motto that best describes you:

BG: Hmmm... I've always tried to follow, 'Intent, Delivery, Follow-Through'.   

organic awesomeness!

The guy in the video is not Brian, but his company spokesperson, Garrett McNamara who rode a 90 foot wave a few weeks ago to my jaw dropping awe!  Pretty cool, huh?!  We have great admiration for Brian for creating such a wonderful, natural product that EVERYONE needs, to protect their skin.  The fact that it is biodegradable and doesn't hurt the ocean or its wildlife makes it an added bonus. This guy knows how to live his life and we hope he gets to take his dream trip so we can see through his eyes!



Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

 
I took a little hiatus last week from posting. It was just such a busy week with finishing up business, having friends from out of town vising, and getting ready for Thanksgiving. I hope this light and tasty recipe will make up for it. In my opinion, it is the perfect light meal after days of eating heavy leftovers.

My husband, who is an avid newspaper reader, found this recipe in the Chicago Tribune a few years back. Let me just say while my husband is definitely a Renaissance man (cleans, does laundry, volunteers, and helps grocery shop), he's not what you'd call comfortable in the kitchen. Once he tried to make me spaghetti, and he put whole coriander seeds in it the sauce along with a variety of other spices he just kind of plucked from the kitchen cabinet. It made for an interesting, if albeit crunchy, spaghetti experience. He's since been on a quest to find recipes he can cook and that will appease my picky tastebuds. This recipe was a big hit the first time he made it, and it has been in rotation ever since.

The featured star in this recipe along with a healthy dose of lemon juice and lemon zest is arugula. The wonderful peppery arugula is a great source of antioxidant vitamins A and C, folic acid, calcium, and magnesium. Ancient Romans used it as an aphrodisiac in spice blends. Lemon are rich in vitamin C, which not only helps to clear acne and leaves your skin glowing, but also helps stop bad breath and aids in digestion. Is there anything that little wonder fruit can't do?

So when my husband volunteered to cook, I happily mentioned that there was arugula in the fridge just begging to be put in his rice salad. About 40 minutes later he's proud of his dish and I'm eating a delicious vegan dinner that I didn't even have to cook.

Rice, Corn, and Cilantro Salad

1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp Olive Oil

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp salt

freshly ground black pepper

2 1/4cups water

1 1/2 basmati rice rinsed and drained

1/2 cups chopped green onions (the original recipe only called 1/4c.)

2 cups fresh or 1 bag frozen sweet corn kernels
3 handfuls of arugula, stems removed

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Whisk together the 1/2 cup olive oil, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp of salt and black pepper to taste in a bowl and set aside.

Heat the water to boil in a saucepan. Add rice and 1/2 tsp of salt to boiling water; reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until water is absorbed and rice is tender (do not stir), about 20 minutes. remove from heat. Let stand 5 minues and fluff with fork. (see note)

Heat remaining 1 tbsp of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and cook stirring about 30 seconds. Add corn and chickpeas and cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add remaing salt and pepper to taste, adjust seasoning to your liking. 

Mix rice and corn mixture together in a large bowl and stir in the live oil and lemon vinaigrette. Add the arugula, cilantro, and lemon zest : gently toss. Taste for seasoning, adjust and serve warm.

Note: We don't always follow the rice to water ratio as described above. We use a little less water and our cooking time is 17 to 18 minutes. This seems to be the magic formula at our house for perfectly cooked rice.

 Happy Eating,

Karen

La Bella of the week, Nav Kaur

Our Bella this week is a tongue in cheek beauty gal with a penchant for words and a lover of oils. You name the oil and she's tried it, well, almost we got her with barbary fig seed oil!  Nav Kaur dips in so many arenas she's hard to keep up with, but her profound love of oils in her beauty regimen drew us in and I think the feeling was mutual.  Her expert blog, Beauty Huile is beloved by all the major brands as we all covet a review by Nav.  We are delighted to have been favorably mentioned once or twice.  This mysterious beauty knows of what she speaks.

  Nav Kaur

La Bella Figura: Who are you?

Nav Kaur: A kind of strong, unabashedly provocative woman using her appreciably modern ethos to seek out the perfectly prismatic oil to inspire a peculiarly monumental sense of peace from within.

LBF: Where do you live?

NK: Like, the Valley! As if…

LBF: What is your occupation?

NK: Professor…yes, really.

LBF: What is your astrological sign?

NK: A ferocious Lioness.

LBF: What do you do for fun and recreation?

Yoga and cooking are two things that help me interpenetrate the nooks & crannies of my mind and soul to capture that some forlorn moment of pure & unadulterated joy…eloquently in high relief.

LBF: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

NK: India to uncover my inherent sense of rootlessness through a reflective, solo journey. And, to crash a Bollywood set as a back up dancer.

LBF: What do you enjoy most about your life?

The stewardship of some smashingly lovely friends near & far.

LBF: What made you try organic products?

NK: After working behind the beauty counter for several years, I decided to apply my Bruin Biology degree to good use. I quickly realized that unpronounceable filler chemicals did nothing for my skin and sapped the wallet.

LBF: If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out about you?

NK: I use those unpretentious kitchen scour pads with fully fragrant shower gels to exfoliate legs & arms. Loofahs? A lampooned waste of time.

LBF: What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

NK: A slick of lip balm, a vat of Argan Oil, and a bottle of my custom created perfume oil – Datura.

LBF: What will you be doing this weekend?

NK: Reading The Alchemist. Yes, finally.

LBF: Sum up a motto that best describes you:

NK: Individuality is freedom lived without regret.

Thanks to my Leo twin for such a fun interview!  Catch Beauty Huile and Nav's way with words. Hope you have a fabulous Turkey Day and pass on that paneer recipe when you get a chance, please.

Victoria's Awesome Holiday Gift Picks.

The holidays are here and whether or not you love it and go all out (decorating your cat with Christmas bells!, C'mon!) or sulk and wait impatiently until the music stops and the elves retreat, EVERYONE loves a well thought out gift!  I have always been told that I give excellent gifts and it's true!  I'm a good listener and I observe quite intently so gift giving is a piece of panettone for me.  (That's Italian humor if you didn't catch it.)

I created a list of gifts for specific people and when you sum it down that way it makes it easier to shop.  Check out my gift guide and perhaps it'll spark an idea or two for you.




The College Aged Niece and Inspired Chef

The Boutique Baker's Kit by Rancho Gordo is $48 and starts a new baker off right!  Your niece will get her groove on in the kitchen and if you're lucky she will start sending YOU baked goods the way you used to send her when she was a wee little nugget.

The "Love and Light" Friend

Kiva is perfect for the friend that signs are her emails with, "love and light" and spends her Saturday mornings at shelters feeding people and reading to Seniors.  We love that friend and cherish her huge heart immensely so imagine how thrilled she will be to receive a Kiva card allowing her to make a donation of her choice! Kiva is a micro-lending organization that helps individuals and communities all over the world start or sustain a business with small loans.



The Traveling Fool

Okay, this is a major hint to anyone in my life...I WANT THIS gorgeous custom map pendant!  Have a piece of your beloved Spain (ahem, my beloved) dangling delicately above your heart to remind you of wonderful travels and adventures.  From uncommongoods at $125.


The Health Nut or Your Mom and Dad

Let's face it: it ain't no picnic living in the Midwest in winter!  That's when I'm usually visiting my best friend in California or heading South to soak up some sun and natural Vitamin D.  It's also when we are envious of Californians with their great year round produce.  Irv and Shelly's Fresh Picks in Chicago help solve your veggie blues and deliver the freshest organic produce, meat and dairy right to your door from the nearest local growers.  This makes an excellent gift for parents who are intimidated by an enormous Whole Foods or loathe stepping out into a blizzard.  Irv and Shelly do it for you and with such eco-consciousness it almost wants to make me volunteer with delivery service, almost.



The Notoriously Single Guy

Do you know a single guy that's a catch, but is notoriously single?  Do him a favor and snatch that ugly, tired old Cubs hat off of his head and head him to a HatMaker!  Yes, it's his stinky, ugly old baseball cap that is driving the ladies (or dudes) away.  Spruce him up a la Johnny Depp style and help him pick out a refined fedora or a fun gatsby at Goorin Bros.  He will be a hit in no time when he shows up to the bookstore looking like a man and not a twelve year old.


The Beauty Goddess or Luxury Maven

You knew it was coming, didn't you?!  How could I not include our ownRepair  Decouverte-Under Eye Serum, $115 into my holiday gift guide?  Besides the fact that we make and sell this, it really does do what it claims to do.  It depuffs, eliminates those dark circles, smoothes wrinkles and fine lines and brightens up your eye area to make the best part of your face look vibrant, sexy and ready for action!  If you don't believe my biased opinion, believe trusted Natural Beauty and Health Expert, Sophie Uliano who has reviewed it on her site, Gorgeously Green and is also selling it on OpenSky. 


The New Dad

Give the new Dad in your life BEER!  Just give it to him and give it quick!  Poor guy has been yelled at by his wife enough during the last nine months and has made every effort to do things right that he needs a little love with the best beer you can buy him.  Sign him up for a beer of the month club or head over to the best wine and beer shop in town load up and deliver it right to his door.  He will be thrilled you thought of him and he'll need it to get through his first month of changing diapers.



 A few more great gifts are Kishr, a 1,000 year old wellness drink full of antioxidants, natural and organic Mom and baby care from zoe organics, soothing bath salts from Solay Wellness, and who doesn't need exotic chocolates from Vosges!

Happy Holidays to all (even the haters) and if you're reading this I made it pretty easy for you this year with my not so subtle hint for a gift.  Map pendant. Spain, Traveling fool.

La Bella of the week, Writer and Editor, Susan Linney

This week we are especially excited to feature a real beauty addict and expert as our "La Bella" of the week!  Susan Linney knows a good thing when she sees it.  We are inspired by her recent job switch from a great and steady job to persue her dreams.  You can read Susan's (often sassy, but always spot on) work on Meets Obsession, a publication for fashion, beauty, and culture insiders.  You're missing out if you haven't checked it out.

Looking natural and gorgeous.

La Bella Figura: Who are you?

Susan Linney: daughter, granddaughter, sister, wife, friend, niece, cousin, godmother, writer and beauty lover.

LBF: Where do you live?

SL: Brooklyn Heights, NYC

LBF: What is your occupation?

SL: Currently, I’m a freelance beauty editor and writer. Prior to that I was a research chief for seven years, first at Redbook and then at Lucky magazine. I loved heading those departments but realized that my real passion was for writing. So I took the leap back in February to freelance full-time. It’s a little scary not to have that steady paycheck anymore, especially given the current economic climate, but I’m still glad I did it. My work is incredibly rewarding. I’m really doing what I love.

LBF: What is your astrological sign?

SL: Aries

LBF: What do you do for fun and recreation?


SL: Play with beauty products, practice Pilates (and when I get really motivated, yoga). I love to play Wii with my husband (yes, were are both still kids at heart), write in my journal, people watch

LBF: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

SL: Does traveling back in time count? If so, I’d LOVE to spend a week in the 70s. From a fashion standpoint, I adore everything about that decade.

In real life? I actually got to go to Iceland back in October, which had long been on my travel list. It’s an amazing country and I think everyone should visit. Especially if you are a beauty junkie like me: they have the most amazing hot springs, spas, and organic beauty products.

LBF: What do you enjoy most about your life?

SL: My friends and family, being a newlywed (sort of—this Sunday, Nov 13^th is our first anniversary), the fact that I was born and raised in NYC, my writing.

LBF: What made you try organic products?

SL: Being a beauty editor is a pretty sweet gig because you get sent A LOT of free product. I was lucky enough to receive some samples from LBF and I was instantly in love. The La Curacio Lip Balm is now the only thing I use for my chapped lips—I’m addicted to it.

LBF made me realize that organic products really do work. I had tried some in the past to lackluster results. But now that I know there are all-natural brands out that that work, I’m really getting into seeking them out and using them more often.

LBF: If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out about you?

SL: Sometimes I go to bed without taking off my makeup. It’s terrible and I’m such a hypocrite because I always scold other people who do it. I don’t do it often, but there have been nights when I’m so wiped out, the thought of doing anything other than crawl into bed seems impossible.

LBF: What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

SL: St. Ives Apricot Face Scub, Laura Mercier’s Flawless Skin Mega Moisturizer, LBF’s La Curacio Lip Balm. Bliss’ Bergamot and Vanilla Body Buff and Body Butter, Klorane’s Mousse with Chamomile (smells like pure honey—so yum!), and Diptyque’s L'Ombre dans l'Eau Solid Perfume.

Also, Bobbi Brown’s Beach Oil, however if I were on a deserted tropical island, I suppose I wouldn’t need it.

Wow—that’s a lot! Yeah, I’m an addict.

LBF: What will you be doing this weekend?

SL: Packing for a trip to Turks and Caicos!

LBF: Sum up a motto that best describes you:

SL: Don't lose your confidence if you slip,

Be grateful for a pleasant trip,

Then pick yourself up,

Dust yourself off,

And start all over.

         

A "beauty" writer.

Happy Anniversary Susan! Have a fun vacation! (Don't you just see her on vacation trying to get through security with an array of products in her arsenal?)  We want to thank her for giving organic products another chance and we are beyond delighted that she is a LBF fan! This is one expert you want to follow and read steadily.  Follow Susan on Twitter @Susan_Linney and on Meets Obsession.

Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

When the weather gets cold, most people get a craving for their favorite comfort food : macaroni and cheese, stews, pot pies, fried chicken, and all other sorts of other dishes mom used to make. Unlike most people, when I want something comforting it's all about Indian food. To me there's nothing more satisfying or comforting than chickpeas and potatoes simmered in rich tomato broths or vegetables bathed in a light cream sauce with deep rich flavors.

With the winter approaching, I thought I'd share one of my go-to Indian recipes for those chilly nights ahead when you need something soothing. This dish is also really easy to put together. Chickpeas are a great source of manganese, an antioxidant that is fundamental in the energy-producing mitochondria found inside most cells. Lots of recipes call for you to core and seed your tomatoes, but I suggest leaving the seeds in; tomato seeds are really high in lycopene (it's found in the rest of your tomato as well but heat breaks down the tomato flesh and destroys much of the lycopene). Lycopene not only promotes brain and immune functions, but it also improves the texture of your skin and supplies free-radical scavengers that help stop the signs of aging. For this reason, we use tomato seed oil in our under eye serum Decouverte. Serve this vegan dish over basmati rice and naan on the side, and you've got yourself one satisfying meals!

Gobi Chole/ Spiced Cauliflower with Chickpeas

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 small head of cauliflower, cut into florets

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and julienned

2 small vine ripened or plum tomatoes, chopped

1 cup frozen peas

1tbsp tomato paste

3/4 tsp chili powder

1tsp coriander seeds, toasted and crushed to a powder in your mortar and pestle * (see note)

1/2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and crushed to a powder in your mortar and pestle*  (see note)

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp turmeric

1 1/2 tsp garam masala

1/4 tsp chopped cilantro leaves

1 green onion finely sliced

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/4 tsp (or more) salt to taste

1 cup water

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ginger and the onions and saute, stirring, until onions soften. Add the dry spice powders and saute for a minute; add the tomatoes.Cook until tomatoes soften and start to break apart, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and water. Gently fold in the cauliflower and chickpeas. Add the salt, cover and reduce heat to medium low, cook for 10 minutes. Add the peas and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until cauliflower is cooked through. If you'd like to sauce to be a bit thicker, remove lid and cook until sauce is preferred consistency.

* if your pressed for time or don't have a mortar and pestle, you can just use coriander and cumin powder.

Adapted from a recipe I found at the wonderful food blog Malabar Spices.

Hope you enjoy!

                           En Bonne Sante,
                                 Karen

La Bella of the week, Danielle Conway.

Our "Bella" this week is a veterinary student in the Midwest that loves animals, beauty and adventure.  Danielle Conway is a busy gal that quotes one of our favorite writers of all time, Mark Twain, which makes her pretty awesome in our book. 

La Bella Figura: Who are you?

Danielle Conway: Danielle Conway. An east coast girl in the midwest, trying to chase down a dream.
LBF: Where do you live?

DC: Madison, Wisconsin.

LBF: What is your occupation?

DC: Veterinary Student.
Im especially passionate about integrative medicine and species appropriate nutrition.

LBF: What is your astrological sign?

DC: Pisces... but does it fit me?

LBF: What do you do for fun and recreation?

DC: I'm a huge nerd! What little free time I have that I'm not studying is spent with my husband and or my eclectic menagerie of animals. Some of my favorite activities include rock climbing, hiking, skiing, yoga, canoeing, visiting our awesome local tea shop or going on local artist gallery tours. I also spend a lot of time researching and learning about integrative veterinary care and nutrition because its not part of our curriculum.

LBF: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

DC: I've really had a hankering to visit Australia, because it is a gorgeous place and there is a famous veterinary herbalist that I want to learn from based in Australia. Or I would globe trot with my best friend who has taken a year to travel the world.

LBF: What do you enjoy most about your life?

DC: Everything! I have a wonderful husband, loving family and friends and I'm chasing down a dream. I am incredibly blessed!

LBF: What made you try organic products?

DC: I believe in sustainability and trying to leave this world a slightly better place by whatever small means possible.

LBF: If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out about you?

DC: Well I'm chronically sleep deprived during the semester. And if you shadowed me during a
crazy exam week or during finals, hygiene is definitely the first to go, showering becomes a
luxury. Yup vet students are a dirty bunch :)

LBF: What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island
without?

DC: At a minimum dental floss, deodorant and coconut oil! When I'm stressed out a little concealer, mascara and RMS beauty highlighting balm does wonders! When I have time Im a huge beauty product junkie, some brands I'm currently loving are RMS, Vapor, 100% pure, Alima pure and Terra Firma.


LBF: What will you be doing this weekend?

DC: Studying

LBF: Sum up a motto that best describes you:

DC: This quote suits me best: "She was not quite what you would call refined.
She was not quite what you would call unrefined.
She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot."
- Mark Twain: Following the Equator

Danielle and Hans

We like a woman who can save a puppy, climb a mountain and whose goal  is to meet a famous veterinary Australian herbal nutritionist.  You. Go. Girl!  Good luck with your studies, get sleep when you can and make the world a better place. We know you can do it.

Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

It's been so busy over here in the LBF studio lately! I'm definitely not complaining, but I've barely had time to menu plan or grocery shop, let alone cook dinner. Thank goodness for some of the frozen dinners at Trader Joe's. I'm not a big fan of frozen meals, but they have some decent choices, and sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's got to do.


Not being able to justify another frozen meal for dinner, I was trying to think of something quick, easy, and tasty. Then my husband remembered a pasta recipe I tried a few months back that he really liked. I found the recipe from a blog called Mel's Kitchen Cafe. It's really satisfying and quite delicious with the flavors of roasted asparagus and balsamic reduction. Of course, I had to put my own little spin on it by adding toasted pine nuts; I think that nutty flavor makes it something a little more special, and as an added bonus, pine nuts are high in B vitamins and vitamin E.

Asparagus has to be one of my favorite vegetables. It's great for your body, especially your skin. It's loaded with antioxidants, vitamin B6, thiamin, vitamin C, folic acid, sodium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, sulfur, vitamin A, vitamin K, manganese,  and potassium. It also contains silica, which promotoes healthy hair, nails and a glowing complexion.
  
Because the recipe calls for cheese and butter, it is not veganr. I suppose you can use a vegan butter substitute, such as Earth Balance, and a vegan Parmesan substitute. If anyone tries it, please let me know how it works out.

Penne with Balsamic Butter and Roasted Asparagus

INGREDIENTS
1 pound fresh asparagus spears cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt and more salt to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup balsamic vinegar (I added another 1/8 cup)
1and 1/4 teaspoon light or dark brown sugar
1 pound penne pasta, mostaccioli, or zitit
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces (I use unsalted so I can control the amount of salt in the recipe)
 2-3 tablespoon pine nuts
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, plus more for serving

DIRECTIONS
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the asparagus on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil and 1/4 tsp of the salt and black pepper. Roast until tender and just starting to brown in spots about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

While the asparagus roasts, put the the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat and toast the pinenuts until golden, tossing frequently. Start your pasta water.

Put the vinegar in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until the vinegar is reduced to about 3 tablespoons, about 5-10 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar and some freshly ground black pepper.

Cook the penne according to directions on the package. Put a  ladle or two of the pasta water in a bowl. Drain the pasta water and immediately return it to the pot, do not drain it for to long. Stir in the butter and vinegar mixture. Toss until pasta is coated, adding  a bit of the pasta water to help coat. Add in the asparagus, Parmesan, toasted pine nuts and the salt to taste.

I hope you enjoy this delicious and easy recipe. I'm so glad I found this on Mel's blog! Stay tuned for next week's Meatless Monday recipe.

 

                                                                                                        En Bonne Sante,

                                                                                                                     Karen

                                                            

La Bella of the week, Heather Hamilton of Zoe Organics

This week's "La Bella" is the CEO and founder of Zoe Organics, (a clean and natural product line made with loving care for Mom and baby) Heather Hamilton.  Heather is an entrepreneur and formulates all of her lovely products herself.  She is also a mutual lover of all things Spanish.  Just look at her skin, she beams organic beauty!

Heather Hamilton

La Bella Figura:  Who are you?


Heather Hamilton:  Wife, mother, entrepreneur with fire in my belly for the inspiration that often comes in the wee hours of the morning.


LBF:  Where do you live?

HH:  In a beautiful little community just north of the Napa Valley, in Northern California.


LBF:  What is your occupation?

HH:  Founder/CEO of Zoe Organics


LBF:  What is your astrological sign?

HH: Pisces

LBF:  What do you do for fun and recreation?

HH:  I love to run. Especially when I have a few hours early in the morning to run by myself. These days you will most likely see me running with a child or two in a jogging stroller - but that's fun too! I was blessed to have spent a lot of time growing up in the great outdoors; camping, hiking, skiing, cycling, etc., so these activities are amongst my favorites, even if I don't get to do them as often as I'd like.


LBF:  If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

HH:  Ha! This changes weekly - but I spent my freshman year of college in Spain and have always wanted to take my husband back for a romantic trek through some of my favorite Spanish cities. There is so much to love! The people, food, music, history, breathtaking countryside...and the language - I'm not fluent, but I should be!


LBF:  What do you enjoy most about your life?

HH:  My family. I have an incredibly loving, brilliant husband to whom I have been married to for nearly 10 years. We have been blessed with 3 gorgeous, vibrant children who challenge us, love us unconditionally, and make us better people. I can't talk about family without mentioning my parents; who taught me how to love and who fostered my passion and dreams. They are still encouraging and supporting these dreams!

I also love that I wake up every morning excited about my work. They say you are doing what you are supposed to do when it doesn't feel like work. I can honestly say that (apart from bookkeeping) Zoe Organics is energizing to me! And I love the flexibility that comes with being a mompreneur.


LBF:  What made you try organic products?

HH:  Probably the most common reason out there - motherhood. I have always been conscientious about nutrition, but it wasn't until I had my first child, in 2006, that I began to scrutinize everything that I put on or into my son. Research dug up some ugly facts about mainstream cosmetics and it was only a matter of time before I was making my own.


LBF:  If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we
find out about you?

HH:  Hahaha...most work days, I simply shower and put on yoga pants and my favorite tee or hoodie. I have the "luxury" of working from my home office and product studio, so if I'm not going out, I stay as comfortable and low maintenance as possible!


LBF:  What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

HH:  Oh, this is a great question! I could care less about make-up (especially on a desert island), so my staples would include; lip balm (something with shea or cocoa butter) body butter or a face & body balm. Of course, I have a long list of my favorite plant ingredients, but that's probably a different question. :)


LBF:  What will you be doing this weekend?

HH:  Oh, my husband and I were just talking about it this morning. I will be making product. Lot's and lot's of it!


LBF:  Sum up a motto that best describes you:

HH:  The last Christmas we spent with my late sister-in-law, Suzanne Hamilton, she gave me a ring with the french inscription "il faut vivre et non pas seulement exister". The English translation is "one must live and not just exist". This is a reminder to me that life is most certainly a gift. I am learning to focus my energy on the things that matter most, be willing to take risks and let go of the things I cannot control.

Thank you Heather for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be our featured Bella this week.  You are a rockstar and your kids are just adorable!  Keep that fire in your belly burning and keep creating those wonderful products for Mom and baby.  We hope you all make it to a beautiful Spanish vacation soon. 

Check out Zoe Organics at www.zoe-organics.com