Sprouts is Now Open in Mountain View

Recently, a Sprouts opened in the old Tower Records location (630 San Antonio Rd) across from the San Antonio Shopping Center in Mountain View.  And today, I went in to check it out. 

Well, I have to say that is like a Trader Joe's only with more stuff.  They have a deli where they make sandwiches and meat counter. Plus they have You are wondering why I am telling you this.  To be honest, I discovered that they have a beauty aisle where they sell Aura Cacia essential oils.  And this may be important for those who have taken classes from me in the past.  All of the important essential oils are available including vanilla which Whole Foods Market, which happens to be down the street does not sell.  Sprouts does have some of the oils you can use for making lotions in the beauty department but remember they will charge you tax.  And like Whole Foods, they carry the Spectrum brand of oils too.  So if you cannot find what you want at Whole Foods, check out Sprouts.

New Craft Store Opens in Morgan Hill

Everyone has heard of Michaels or Joann.  Or if you live in the state of California you may have a Beverly's Crafts near you. But I just got finished browsing the Sunday San Jose Mercury News and found a full page ad announcing that Hobby Lobby has opened up in Morgan Hill at the Cochrane Plaza Shopping Center (US 101 and Cochrane Road).

I have heard of Hobby Lobby but this is the first time I have heard that they have opened a location in the San Francisco Bay Area.  When I glanced the ad, I saw that they had a sale on soap supplies I had to check out Hobby Lobby's website to see what brand they are selling.  Most of the soap base is Life of the Party, but they are also selling soap supplies (colorant, scent and soap base) from Something Fabulous  and scents from Crafty Bubbles.  These soap making supplies are not the best of quality you find Juniper Tree in Berkeley, but it is an option. 

Of course, they sell other supplies for different crafts such as scrapbooking, candle making and more.I would like to visit their store to see what the vibe is.  But if I like what I see I may order from their website because the store is 35 miles away from where I live.  I will let you know what I think of the store in a later post.

New Pharmacy Opens in Menlo Park.

In 2008, Elephant Pharm (my favorite pharmacy) in Los Altos closed. So for two years nothing could fill my void of essential oils and herbs that I could use in my classes. Recently, a new integrated pharmacy in Menlo Park opened by the name of Pharmaca.

I finally got to visit this new pharmacy today and want to tell you about it. Besides refilling your prescriptions you can purchased alot of other products. But the one thing I wanted to report to students who have taken classes from me that they carry some of the Aura Cacia essential oil and carrier oils that I have used in class. The prices are comparable to Whole Foods Market but if you are looking for more of a variety then to Whole Foods. Pharmaca would be good in a pinch.Pharmaca also sells some of their own brand name essential oils. I do not know the brand personally but would aske the staff more on it. They also offer limited workshops. For example, they had a discussion of aromatherapy and colds.

Pharmaca is located at 871 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, Ca. Phone number is 650/818-6300. Hours are Monday-Friday 9 am to 9 pm; Saturday 9 am to 9 pm and Sunday 9 am to 7 pm. Pharmaca's website is http://www.pharmaca.com/.

For those who cannot make to the Menlo Park location, there is a location in Los Gatos.

Pharmaca does not compare to Elephant Pharm but I would say that it comes in a close second. I will still shop there if I need to run in for a last minute for a certain essential oil.

Stretch Tite Brand (Cellophane)

If you have ever taken one of my soap making classes, you have used Stretch Tite to wrap your soaps in. I have told you that I have found it at Trader Joe's. And you could never find there!

I have good news. I was in Smart and Final on Monday and I found that they sell it. So, I would recommend that you should go there first to by this product.

You do not need to have a membership to purchase items there, but if something was on sale you would not get the discount unless you had a membership. It is like the cards at Safeway or Albertson's.

Simplers Botanicals Company

Whole Foods Market, Mollie Stones Market, Elephant Pharm and most health food store sell the Aura Cacia brand of essential oils. All of these sources also sell an organic brand of essential oils by a company by the name of Simplers Botanical Company.

If you are interested in find out more information call or write:

Simplers Botantical Company
PO Box 2534
Sebastapol, CA 95473

Phone: 1-800-652-7646 or 707-887-2012
Fax: 707-887-7570

website site: www.simplers.com

email: simplers@moniter.net

If you happen to see this particular brand at your local retail establishment, they have produce a pamphlet, Aromatherapy Guide to Essential Oils. I would recommend picking up a copy because it has some good information about essential oils.

Mollie Stones Market

I just wanted to let you know if you do not have a Whole Foods Market, Elephant Pharmacy or health food store, Mollie Stones Market carries the Aura Cacia brand of essential oils.

Here is there website to see if there is a Mollie Stones near you.

http://www.molliestones.com/

Local Stores Carrying Ingredients

In my search for ingredients to create my bath products, I came across the following establishments having some of the ingredients that you can use for making your bath products:

(1) Country Sun Natural Foods
440 California Avenue
Palo Alto, Ca
(650) 324-9190
Monday - Friday 9 am to 8 pm, Saturday 9 am to 7 pm, Sunday 10 am to 7 pm

In the bulk section they carry Arrowroot powder, Anise Seed, Calendula Flowers, Cinnamon Chips, Chamomile Flower, Hibiscus Flowers, Passion Flower, Poppy Seed, Red Rose Petals, Rose Hips, Lavender and Red Raspberry Leaf.

I just want to warn you that you may get sticker shock on the price per pound on these items. For example, Lavender was $38.58 per pound. Sometimes they will have things on sale.

(2) Crossroads World Market
720 San Antonio Road (cross street Middlefield)
Palo Alto, Ca
Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 7:30 pm; Saturday 10 am 7:30 pm; Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

In the bulk section, they carry Citric Acid (1.89/lb); Course Salt (1.29/lb); Crush Mint (12.99/lb); Poppy Seed (2.99/lb).

(3) Elephant Pharm (closed as of Sept. 2008)
4470 El Camino Real (Near San Antonio Road)
Los Altos, CA 94022
Phone: (650) 472-6800
Pharmacy Phone: (650) 472-6801
Fax: (650) 472-6802
Website: http://www.elephantpharm.com/
Monday - Saturday 8 am to 10 pm; Sundays 9 am - 9 pm

I heard about Elephant Pharm through Juniper Tree, but never went there because at the time there were only two locations: Berkeley and San Rafael. This location in Los Altos just opened up recently and finally I got the opportunity to visit the store.

They do sell the Aura Cacia and Simpler Organic brands of essential oils just like Whole Foods Market and Sun Country. They also sell Oshadhi Essential Oils which are a professional masage type of essential oil, so they may not work in your bath products. You may want to consult with a staff member on this.

In the back of the store, they have a whole wall of herbs that you can purchase. They have a variety of herbs including Chinese Herbs. Some of the herbs I saw that you can purchase for your bath products are Dead Sea Salt (Bath Salt Blend); Calendula Flowers; Rose Bud and Petals; Hibiscus Flowers; Lemon Verbena; Lavendar Flowers, Peppermint Leaf; Spearmint; Licorice Root; Organic Orange Peel. You can also purchase Beeswax (for perfumes, etc.); Kaolin White Clay (for Dusting and Body Powders) and Benonite Clay. They even sell Muslin Bags for your tub teas. The sizes available are small (3x5), medium (4x6) and large (6x8). All prices for the herbs are priced by the pound.

Also, what is nice is that they offer free classes on a variety of subjects. Check out their website for classes you may be interested in.