Sunday, September 19, 2010

Rainbow Ridge Farm



In the spirit of supporting small business, I thought I would introduce you to my new favorite soap. It is made from Nigerian dwarf dairy goat's milk. And it is heavenly! I live in a very dry climate - we have about 7 inches of rain per year - you can imagine what that does to the skin. The bars are hand wrapped in parchment paper and look very special.

This small operation is located in Maui, Hawaii, and supports a small cottage industry, that also supports many local charities. All of the soaps are made from fresh natural ingredients, and you can even get a Maui Mutt bar to wash your dog that includes eucalyptus and tee tree oil, for fighting those (damn) fleas. (Not that we have any at our altitude, but it makes Lucy smell nice.) My favorite is lavender-lemon verbena. My husband likes the ones with more masculine scents such as sandalwood. For someone who has never paid any attention to his soap - he now informs me when he is running low. I think it's the surfing warrior depicted on his favorite bar...


It may cost a bit more, but it lasts for a very long time! I think this is going to be my gifts this holiday season. 

27 comments:

Unknown said...

How fun! smiles.

Brian Miller said...

interesting..i am all about supporting small business...

DJan said...

And yes, I also support the local soap makers here in Bellingham. In an interesting synchro, our Thursday hike this week is to Rainbow Ridge. Probably not the same one. (smiles)

ellen abbott said...

My sister makes soap, not with goat's milk, but it is wonderful soap. I can't remember the last time I bought a bar of soap at the store.

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Cool post. I love different soaps. Will have to try this one.

alaine@éclectique said...

I went to the link; lots of exotic blends and other nice products. As you said, a great idea for gifts but far too pricey for me to use every day.

Von said...

Lovely!Small things can have big results.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, I can't wait to check this soap out!!! It sounds lovely!!! And I have allergies, and so soap can be a problems...but something organic/simple like this might be the solution!!! Love it! ~Janine xo

Anonymous said...

Surely a nice side of globalisation this is. A great idea for a gift indeed. Please have a nice new week.

daily athens

susan said...

One of the things I knew I'd miss about living in the US is being able to buy cool things like this without paying enormous import duties - but maybe I'll save up and get some. Good find.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I am a simple sort, but have a friend who is ever so hard to buy for. This is a great idea for a gift!

Rob-bear said...

How interesting — getting on your "soap box" about soap. I need to check this out. Thanks.

AiringMyLaundry said...

Sounds nice!

Marguerite said...

I love soaps made from goat's milk, too! They are wonderful! My sister-in-law has a similar business, up in Maryland. She raises goats on her 10 acre farm, and then makes all of her soaps, by hand, in her basement. She keeps me supplied, so I am lucky.

Unknown said...

I'm a supporter of small businesses too, especially when they provide a produce/service worth supporting. Thanks for the tip! Looks like a great stocking stuffer.

Mental P Mama said...

Just wonderful. I can almost smell that lemon verbena over here...

Amanda Summer said...

great packaging -- kudos to you for supporting small business - ran one myself for a few years!

Shrinky said...

Aw, the wrapping alone screams "feel good"!

Land of shimp said...

Oh just the name "lemon-verbana" always makes me think of classic literature. It was such a favored scent back in the day, and it's so please, and bright to this day.

I'm catching up (I'm always catching up, glance behind you to find me, basically) and to the question of "How long to blog" -- just as long as it is fun, but rather than close a blog, you could always just go on hiatus. I hope you don't, though.

Part of the reason being is that you believe in the power of intent and connection, Nancy. It's such a delightful, kind thing to encounter in this world. Just that honest, appreciation for, and belief in, the power of human beings to impact the world around them simply through the act of thought, caring, being better, instead of giving in an being worse.

Like recommending a small company. I don't think blogging is just blogging for you, at least not right now. It seems like it is part of the path you are walking.

I think when and if it is time to walk a different one, you will know.

And today's offering of synchronicity? Just last night my husband and I were discussing that Puddles has an odd, almost smoky sort of smell to her, a day after being bathed. We'd noticed it before and it isn't unpleasant, but it's sharp, a little jarring.

So I told him I'd look for a different kind of dog shampoo.

Lo and behold.

Nancy said...

Shimp - You are very intuitive. Yes, I've felt this blog should go in a certain direction. I've felt it should give something to the reader. Thanks for noticing. (The Mutt Bar is nice and will last many, many washings.)

Pat said...

It sounds nice!

Cloudia said...

Thanks for shopping local!





Aloha from Honolulu

Comfort Spiral

Butternut Squash said...

We have a local soap shop that makes chocolate goat's milk soap. A friend gifted me some and I was delighted. It is such a luxury and one that I would never think of gifting to myself. What a great idea.

Wendy said...

Yum - it looks delicious. Actually when I first started reading the label, I read.....goat's milk soup! LOL!

Will check it out. I'd love to buy some, but wonder at the shipping charges from Hawaii to Canada (where I live).
Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Leilani Tresise said...

LOL Nancy!! man soap! Maui is the Best Nancy!! it really is!

Denise said...

Aloha from Rainbow Ridge Farm on Maui! Thank you so much for sharing about our Maui Tropical Goat Milk Soap. Creating RRF Soap is a joy and a labor of love. It makes me very happy when we get testimonials from all over the world about the quality of our soap. It really is the richest, creamy, and most delicious soap that I have ever used. :) If anyone orders $35 or more by Christmas 2011, mention this Blog in the note area when ordering and I will include 2 FREE SOAPS as a Thank you to Nancy. And Nancy, our newest Charity is http://www.anorphanswish.org/
When we adopted our daughter last year, we were so touched by the children in China, we wanted to do something for those children that might never find a forever family. We now sponsor "Steven". Feel free to email me and I can put you on our friends and family update for Steven. Warm Aloha Nancy! With Appreciation, Denise Fleetham, Proprietor www.rainbowridgefarm.net

Denise said...

Aloha From Rainbow Ridge Farm on Maui! Nancy, thank you for the nice testimonial about RRF Goat Milk Soap. Soap making is truly a joy and labor of love. I too have tried a lot of soap, but have yet to find one that is as creamy, rich, luxurious, and delicious as mine! :) Really, true story. I also wanted to share my newest charity. http://www.anorphanswish.org/
When we adopted our daughter from China last year, we were so touched by all the children we met. We wanted to do something for those children that may not find forever families. We discovered an orphans wish and Steven our newly sponsored "son". We are over the moon in love with our new son and this charity. If you want to be on our family and friends update list about Steven, please email me. In addition, as a THANK YOU to you, Nancy, I wish to offer EVERYONE who reads your BLOG, 2 FREE Soaps when they order $35 or more by Christmas 2011. Simply mention this BLOG in the notes section when ordering or email me at: info@rainbowridgefarm.net
Warm Aloha Nancy! Maui wants you back soon! With Appreciation, Denise Fleetham, Proprietor, www.rainbowridgefarm.net