Winter is always special when it comes with colour!!! I hate a drab grey winter. When I lived in the US, Fall was my favourite time of year, with its vivid autumn colouring before the drab grey of winter. Although with the arrival of chilly and depressing winter it usually wasn't long before the snow fell heavily. Then the world was transformed an exquisite white! That snow frosted cover made everything look cozy and ready to be rainbow painted in Spring! Here in our South African corner of the winter world the aloes bloom through winter. It is BEE-AUTIFUL!!
Winter gives us a respite from the incredible heat of our sizzling Karoo summers. But it also means the countryside is dotted with beautiful shades of orange and yellow as the different indigenous aloes bloom. The aloes - covered with sunbirds, butterflies and bees - always inspire me. This year I finally decided to take that inspiration to the next level. Last week I harvested some of the prickly aloe ferrox leaves. After carefully peeling of the green thorned skin I made a gel of the softer transparent flesh inside.
Many of you know that I make an all natural range of body care products with the organic milk from my precious goats. The goats milk soaps are amazing but very boring in colour as I won't use colouring (which is loaded with preservatives) I haven't really taken the time to experiment with natural plant and spice pigments. Until last week. I blended chlorella into the fresh aloe gel. This dark green concoction was then carefully added into my newest batch of goats milk. And I absolutely love the earthy tones. It looks so much like avo .... but I would not advise taking a bite!
During the winter months I gave my imput to a graphic designer who came up with our stunning new logo. I really love it and am excited for the new "face" on my range. Not only does the packaging have a new look but the products inside are being tweaked.
The next goats milk soap I'm going to make will be with the tumeric, a natural anti-inflammatory. The golden spice promises to make a beautiful soap bar, as well as come with healing properties of its own! My Karoo Aloe soap will offer all the benefits of this powerful healing plant. In the goats milk soap aloe will be wonderful for skin conditions, the usual eczema and psoriasis but even burns and wounds. This one will be advertised specifically for a face wash. However people choose to use it I am really excited about my expanding range, and the new earthy tones! Watch this space for more colourful winter work!
