Milking Goats on the Chivas Farm

Photo credit: Coral von Zumwalt Photographs. If you would like to find a higher resolution version of these images for print, please visit our Flickr account or contact us.

Can’t Decide What Goat Milk Soap To Try? Let Us Help!

Did you see us on Good Morning America and want to try our products for yourself? It can be difficult to decide which scent of our hand-made goat milk soap to get so we thought we would give you a few pointers to help you make the right selection!

Do you like to garden?

Try our Herb Garden Goat Milk Soap! It can be used as a hand soap and is tough on grime but soft on your senses. Poppy seeds & cornmeal exfoliate. Comfrey root relieves irritation. Hemp seed oil soothes dry, overworked skin. Rosemary, basil & fennel bring the garden into your home.

Is your face in need of some TLC?

Try our Clear Complexion Goat Milk Facial Soap. This soap is designed for acne prone skin. The bottom layer  helps prevent new blemishes from forming, while the top layer helps to heal current scars.

Still can’t decide?

Try all 6 of our most popular soaps! The 6-Pack of Essential Goat Milk Soaps includes one each of our essential goat milk soaps: Original, Sweet Nothings, Lavender Oatmeal, Spearmint, Wise Sage and Lemongrass.

Want more than just soaps?

If you want to try more goat milk skincare products than just our soaps try our Starter Kit. The Starter Kit is a great way to sample our line and includes Original goat milk soap, a Sweet Nothings goat milk facial creme, an Original lip balm and one Sweet Nothings bath salt sachet.

How to Make a College Care Package

Care packages are a great way to help  a new college student feel at home in their new surroundings. Gifting Goat thought it would be nice to send a care package with a theme… college showers. The reputation college bathrooms have for being dirty is not a wives tale. The recipient of the care package will be grateful to have certain luxurious amenities even if they have to shower in the not-so-luxurious dorms. Gifting Goat suggests you include these few things in the care package…

1. Shower Shoes: it is absolutely amazing how dirty shower floors can be, so send off a pair of fun shower sandals. We loved these nautical shower sandals from Dorm Buys.
2. Clear Complexion Goat Milk Soap: skin has a tendency to break-out in new environments. Making first impressions is important so include a Clear Complexion soap in the package, as this soap is designed for acne-prone skin. The bottom layer helps prevent new blemishes from forming, while the top layer helps to heal current scars. Learn more here.
3. A Travel Soap Container: bar soap is cleansing but it is important (especially in showers used by multiple people) to keep your soap clean. Send along a travel container so they can store their soap in their room. You can find tips on how to use a travel soap container on our “Travel with Chivas” blog post.
4. Something Fun: this little hippo is a toothbrush holder. You can suctions him to the mirror and keep a toothbrush protected from dust and other bacteria… not to mention he is cute! We also found this little guy at Dorms Buy.

Photo credit: Taylor Harkins

Guru Goat Shares “Secrets of Longevity” from Dr. Maoshing Ni

Dr. Maoshing Ni shares his secrets in his book, ”Secrets of Longevity- Hundreds of Ways to Live to be 100.” Guru Goat started reading this book and wanted to share some of his secrets that she found most pertinent to natural health and skin care:

Secret #2: Gone With the Wind

” Common colds and flus can turn into serious respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, which claims many lives among the elderly. Eastern medicine sees colds and flus as “wind” disorders… Western medicine calls them adaptogens, which increase the body’s defense mechanisms and help the immune system work better in times of stress. They can be found separately in health food stores or in a formula called Jade Screen in Chinese pharmacies. In addition, wash your hands frequently with soap and water and inhale vapors from eucalyptus, oregano, and lavender tea, which are antibacterial, antiviral, and decongesting.” (page 129)

When washing your hands, try using one of our soaps made with these specific essential oils: eucalyptus, oregano and lavender.  Not only will these soaps keep your hands clean, soft and moisturized, but the pure essential oils in each of them will also have a light aromatherapeutic effect. 

Lavender Pine Chamomile goat milk soap: with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, as well as pine, spruce needle and chamomile

Santa Rosa Valley goat milk soap: with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, as well as orange, grapefruit and rose geranium

Lemongrass goat milk soaps: with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, as well as lemongrass, tea tree and peppermint

Lavender Oatmeal goat milk soap: with lavender essential oil, as well as rosweood, rose geranium, and grapefruit

Note: We do not have any soaps made with oregano essential oil because the scent is quite pungent and not really pleasant for body care in our opinion.  Inhaling the vapors from this oil is still very effective.

Secret #1: Keep Cool on the Outside…

” Experiencing extremes of temperature can endanger one’s health and even one’s life. To strengthen the body and make it more resistant to environmental temperature changes, I recommend taking cold showers. This constricts the blood vessels at the surface and extremities of your body, driving tremendous blood flow into the internal organs to increase oxygenation and transport waste away from these vital body parts. If you are not used to the practice, however, acclimate yourself gradually. Begin by scrubbing your body with cold towels. After a few days, run your shower or bathwater at a slightly cooler temperature than you are used to, and use less hot water each week until you can switch to a completely cold shower.” ( page 246)

Of course, we recommend taking your cold shower with our one of the goat milk soaps mentioned above.

Book Information: ” Secrets of Longevity- Hundreds of Ways to Live to be 100.” by Dr. Maoshing Ni. Published by Chronicle Books.

Gifting Goat Presents One of Our Newest Products

Gifting Goat couldn’t wait to get her hands on our new book, “Pizza and Wine” by by Chef Leonardo Curti and James O. Fraioli. She was ecstatic when the post man delivered the package containing a sisal soap bag, Santa Rosa Valley goat milk soaps, and the book. She had originally ordered them for her own enjoyment but thought it would make a nice hostess gift for the dinner party she would be attending that evening. She wrapped these Chivas Skin Care goodies up and headed to the dinner party. The hostess loved the sweet gesture! The next day, Gifting Goat made another order and added the 6-Pack of Essential Goat Milk Soaps. That way she will always have extra goat milk soaps to wrap up for any occasion. Gifting Goat explains how easy this last minute gift is.

What You Need:

• “Pizza and Wine” by Chef Leonardo Curti and James O. Fraioli
• Santa Rosa Valley goat milk soap
• Sisal Soap Bag
• Ribbon
• Gift Tag
• Wrapping Paper (you can always reuse old wrapping paper)
• Fresh Herb ( she used organic rosemary)

Directions:

1. Wrap “Pizza and Wine” in the wrapping paper of your choice.
2. Place the Santa Rosa Valley goat milk soap in the sisal soap bag and pull the draw string closed.
3. Tie the ribbon around the present, leaving the ribbon loose enough to slip the soap bag under.
4. Attach the gift tag to the bow and place the fresh rosemary under the bow.

Want more ideas on how to wrap up your favorite Chivas Skin Care products? Click here to see more ideas from the Gifting Goat.

What You Need:

• “Pizza and Wine” by Chef Leonardo Curti and James O. Fraioli
• Santa Rosa Valley goat milk soap
• Sisal Soap Bag
• Ribbon
• Gift Tag
• Wrapping Paper (you can always reuse old wrapping paper)
• Fresh Herb ( she used organic rosemary)

Directions:

1. Wrap “Pizza and Wine” in the wrapping paper of your choice.
2. Place the Santa Rosa Valley goat milk soap in the sisal soap bag and pull the draw string closed.
3. Tie the ribbon around the present, leaving the ribbon loose enough to slip the soap bag under.
4. Attach the gift tag to the bow and place the fresh rosemary under the bow.

Want more ideas on how to wrap up your favorite Chivas Skin Care products? Click here to see more ideas from the Gifting Goat.

Granny Goat’s Advice on How to Travel with Chivas Goat Milk Soap

Just because you are traveling doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your favorite soap. Granny Goat shares her advice on how to travel with your favorite Chivas goat milk soap:

1) You need to find a travel soap dish. You can find travel soap dishes at The Container Store, which is where Granny Goat found her favorite soap dish made with 100% pre-consumer recycled plastic (shown above)!

2) Pick your favorite goat milk soap. Granny Goat tends to pick a soap that compliments her destination. When she spends her holidays in Deer Valley, Utah she brings her Orange Spice goat milk soap. She packs her Lemongrass goat milk soap when she heads to New Hampshire to relax at her rustic lake house. Check out all our goat milk soaps and pick the one that best matches your destination.

3) Let your soap “air dry” before closing the soap dish to prevent the soap dish from becoming gooey.

Granny Goat shared this advice with our intern, Taylor, before she left to travel around the world on “Semester at Sea”. Taylor took her Sweet Nothings goat milk soap on the adventure. Her soap traveled with her to Canada, Spain, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Japan, and Hawaii. Check out some of the amazing photos from the trip:

Want to Stay Cool this Summer? Refresh with the Coolest Yogurt in Town!

Gossip Goat has fallen in love with Pinkberry! It is the perfect way to cool off and enjoy a guilt-free dessert! Pinkberry offers a variety of flavors from Pomegranate, Original, Chocolate, Mango, Passion Fruit, Coconut and their newest addition Watermelon. At less than 35 calories an ounce this summer treat won’t make you feel guilty about a thing!

These refreshing flavors of yogurt are made that much sweeter by adding whatever toppings you want! Pinkberry offers fresh fruits like mango, pineapple, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. They also offer decadent toppings like cheesecake, Oreos, chocolate shavings and nuts.

Right now Pinkberry is offering a promotion for their newest flavor Watermelon. If you go between 5-7 pm and order Watermelon it is half-priced!

Gossip Goat’s favorite swirly combination is Pomegranate and Mango yogurt with pineapple, strawberries and Oreos. The Oreos add a nice crunch to the refreshing and delicious combination of these summer fruit flavors.

Still looking for other ways to stay cool this summer? Take a cool shower with Lemongrass goat milk soap!

Gifting Goat has the Perfect House Warming Gift

If you have a house warming party coming up, the Gifting Goat has the perfect gift to bring: a Vera Bradley apron gift set with a personal recipe card and custom Chivas goat milk soap.  Just follow these 4 simple steps to create a perfect and thoughtful gift!

#1 – Pick the Apron Pattern

Vera Bradley makes adorable Apron Gift Sets in eight different patterns. Pick the pattern that fits the style of the recipient. The aprons have pockets, and a cute ruffle on the top. They come in a matching fabric covered box, which makes a great recipe box.

#2 – Pick a matching Chivas goat milk soap

Once you have picked the pattern of the apron, find a Chivas goat milk soap that matches the print. Here are our suggested pairings:

• For Night and Day: Original goat milk soap
• For Make Me Blush: Sweet Nothings goat milk soap
• For Simply Violet: Lavender Oatmeal goat milk soap
• For Call Me Coral: Lemongrass goat milk soap
• For Sittin’ in a Tree: Fragrance Free goat milk soap
• For Totally Turq: Santa Rosa Valley goat milk soap
• For Loves Me: Lavender Pine Chamomile goat milk soap
• For Poppy Fields: Bed of Roses goat milk soap

#3 – Pick a Recipe

Pick your favorite recipe and write it down on a nice recipe card or paper. If you are not a cook yourself,  pick a recipe from Gourmet Goat’s blog. The Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese is a great recipe that everyone will love. Then place the soap of your choosing in the recipe box with the apron and recipe.

#4 – Write a Personal Card

Attach a card with a personal message or poem. Gifting Goat came up with a poem herself that you can use:

When cooking in the kitchen in your new house

You might want this apron to protect your blouse.

With floral designs and patterns galore

Your recipe box will have your neighbors knocking at the door.

Begging for recipes like the one I shared with you

Asking advice on their chicken cordon bleu.

But if you find your cooking is something all fear

Photos can easily be stored in here.

Remove the smell of garlic and take a refreshing shower

Enjoy the sweet smell and moisturizing soap power.

This home represents a new beginning

The memories created here will have your grinning.

Welcome Home!

Keep checking our blog for more gift ideas for every occasion.

Photo Credit: (1) Vera Bradley website (2 & 3) Taylor Harkins

“Got Goat Milk?”: Star Lee magazine features Chivas

Chivas Skin Care was featured in Issue 2 of StarLee Magazine, which came out this June. We hope you enjoy learning more about what it takes to run a small business, like Chivas, and some of the lessons we’ve learned along the way!

” We don’t use any fragrance oils, which are so much cheaper than essential oils,” Donna said. “This is a huge commitment and takes discipline; sometimes it kills me because it is a huge pocket burn, but the difference in quality is what our customers come to expect.” (want to learn more about the differences between fragrance oils and essential oils?)

“Sometimes less truly can lead to more, according to Lauren. ‘One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned as ‘accidental entrepreneurs’ was to cut down our product line. Initially we had 25-plus soaps and we put them all to market- it was overwhelming.’” ( check out what soaps we selected to be apart of our goat milk soap line)

“Their advice for other female entrepreneurs? Lauren says, ‘Limit your product line. Let yourself be creative and enjoy that process, but for every 10 great ideas you have, ultimately you should probably only do one of them.’ Donna added, ‘Cherish your female energy and creativity, but you’re going to need a little macho in you too.’” ( find out more about our mother-daughter team)

Thank you so much StarLee Magazine and to all those involved with making the article possible!  A special shout out to Dawn Mena of Digital Dawn: Social Media Made Easy, who conducted the interview.

StarLee magazine says Chivas Lip Balm is “What’s Hot”!

Our Original vegan lip balm is highlighted in the first issue of StarLee Magazine‘s “What’s Hot.”

And if, like us, you have  hard time reading the text on-line, here’s what it reads:

“Chivas goat milk skin care is owned and run by a dynamic mother-daughter team that has brought the art of using goat milk to make soaps and other skin care products to a new level.  Recognized by beauty experts all around, this company treats its French Alpine goats like family and stands firm behind the values of fair trade, charitable giving, and environmentally mindful practices and products.  We love the vegan lip balm.  It comes in several different scents, and our lips never felt so good.”

You can check out all of our vegan lip balms here!

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