Tag Archive for: natural

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Female Founder: Tubby Todd’s, Andrea Faulkner Williams


Name:

Andrea Faulkner Williams co-founder and Head Mama of Tubby Todd Bath Co.

Why Tubby Todd?

My husband, Brian Todd, was the biggest baby ever born in the San Jose Hospital (11 pounds… ouch!) When he was born the nurses called him “The Moose” because he was so big. Years ago we had been working on formulas but weren’t sure if we really wanted to launch a bath soap company (mainly fear was holding us back!) and then one day he came home from work and said, “We are going to start a children’s bath soap company and we are going to call it Tubby Todd!” And I was like, “Yeah we are!” It was one of those pivotal moments we both remember.

How many baths per week?

I find the number of baths per week I take has significantly decreased as I have added more children into the equation. I still get to sneak one or two in a week. Because… priorities.

What does your typical Beauty Routine look like?

I try and wash my face both morning and night, moisturize and use the Goldfaden Elixir. Sometimes I fall asleep before I wash my face and so the next morning I use your exfoliater to make up for neglect. If I go two nights of falling asleep without washing my face I put on your mask.

How do you balance work, mom, wife, life (tips / rituals)?

What was the last book you read? I’m currently reading “The Magnolia Story” by Chip and Joanna Gaines. I know, I know… three years after everyone else. But I still cry every single time they talk about putting it all on the line and starting their business together. Shiplap and soap don’t have much in common, but our stories feel similar in so many ways about working together as a couple.

Perfect day…is?

Hmmm. Sleeping in. Hiking outside, getting a few hours of work done in the morning and then doing something with my kids we both enjoy (like going to the pool, or to the beach) and then at night we get a babysitter and we go out. Let’s just say I sneak a nap in there too.

When you need to destress what is your go to?

I have written in a journal since I was 12. I try to spend a few nights a week meditating and writing feelings and lessons learned down. I have always had a lot of feelings (maybe more than I’ve known what to do with, ha!) and my journal is a safe place to put them all and make sense of things.

What is your favorite room in your home?

My favorite room in my home is my kids room. We have a chair in there that we bought when I was pregnant with my first child. Every single night we all pile on it and read books together. The kids poke me in the ribs and beg for more books and I tell them to go to bed but, those are for sure my absolute fav mom moments.

Favorite Tubby Todd product?

Ummmmm it’s always changing but I’m currently so obsessed with our All Over Ointment. Every single day we receive hundreds of testimonials of how our Ointment has changed the lives of the families who use our products. It’s like the Windex of baby products–works on everything.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My babies. And that is the best part of my job. The best thing I can do for our company is spend time with my family. A lot of my inspiration also comes from other female business owners. I spend a lot of time talking to other women about their social strategy and creative process, I always come way so jazzed and full of ideas.

First thing you do when you wake up, is?

Ugh. These kinds of questions are so embarrassing because they highlight what a lug I am. I dream of being the type of mom who’s dressed before her kids get up, but every single day one of my 3 kids or our 2 month old puppy wakes us up. And it’s always like a screaming in my ear, or a jumping on my back, type of awakening. So, the first thing I do is probably tell them to be quiet, or roll out of bed and get them breakfast to get them to be quiet. And, if I wake up on my own the first thing I do is check Instagram and try to take of any emails I need to get out. Because, mama gotta take care of business.

Last thing you do before you go to sleep, is?

Say a prayer. My husband and I try to pray together and then I pray on my own. See, I HAVE ONE GOOD HABIT. Thank you for ending on this note.

 

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Female Founders: Angela Sutherland & Evelyn Rusli, Co-Founders of Yumi


Sharing in our passion for ingredients and high-quality products, we sat down with Angela and Evelyn, co-founders of our favorite organic baby food delivery company, Yumi, to learn more about the importance of food, their inspiration and daily lives.
Angela Sutherland & Evelyn Rusli, Co-Founders of Yumi

Why Yumi?

Angela: When I was pregnant with my daughter, I learned about how important nutrition is during the first 1,000 days. It was really eye-opening to read all these clinical studies that showed how every bite matters during this window, and can have long-last effects on their physical, neurological and metabolic development. During this time, I was also baffled by the lack of of innovation in the baby food space. The market really hasn’t changed in decades. The options at the grocery store just fell short in every way.  What they were calling “meals” were full of sugar, or fructose, and had been sitting on the shelves for months if not more than a year — it just didn’t feel right.

Most important food group(s) to begin with and when with babies?

Angela: Starting babies with vegetables, instead of all fruit, is so important in terms of establishing your baby’s taste preferences. Fruits have many benefits, but if a baby starts off eating only fruit purees, their taste preferences are going to lean towards the sweeter side, which can cause problems down the road when you’re trying to get your babe to eat their veggies and other whole foods.

What does your typical Beauty Routine look like?

Angela: I try to keep things really simple, especially in the mornings when I am rushing to get the kids fed, dressed, and out the door.  I splash my face with lukewarm water to rinse the night away, then slather on some of my favorite moisturizer from La Mer, which also has SPF 50.

In the evenings, I’ll use Goldfaden’s “Doctors Scrub” which makes my skin feel baby smooth.  I’ll follow that with a hydrating serum from True Botanicals – it really calms my skin after a long day, and the relaxing scent gets me in the mood for sleep.  I also rub a bit of my favorite balm from Nucifera on my lips and cuticles (…pro tip, this stuff also doubles as a great antidote for a diaper rash!)

If I’m going into an important meeting or have dinner plans, I try to glam things up a little bit and add in a few coats of a go-to-mascara, I have a few from Lancome and Estee Lauder, and a lip stain. Right now Yves Saint Laurent’s Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain is in high rotation.

How do you balance work, mom, wife, life (tips / rituals)?

Angela – It’s a constant struggle, but I try to just focus on one day at a time.  On Sundays, I always look at my schedule for the week ahead and prioritize where I’m needed most.  If there are family functions or appointments I need to take with my kids, I’ll adjust my workday to accommodate; and conversely, if I have a particularly hectic work week or have to travel, I’ll try to squeeze in lots of quality time with the family.

I don’t think it’s ever possible to perfectly “balance” all the things that we as moms have to juggle in life.  I do the best I can to maximize my time at work and at home, and if it starts to feel like one thing in particular is draining a lot of my time and energy, I’ll take a step back and try to reset.  Someone once gave me a great piece of advice, which is: follow the things that give you energy. If you are dragging yourself to a workout class or social event simply because you feel like you ‘have to’, but it feels miserable, reevaluate how you could be spending that time.  Conversely, if you feel drained spending too much time cooped up at home and feel like you need to be out in the world, traveling, socializing, exercising…then make it happen! Find what brings you positive energy, and lean into that.

What was the last book you read?

Angela – “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson.  It’s all about reshaping your perspective on what it means to live a happy life, how to build grit, and it helps you prioritize the things that truly add value to your life.  It was recommended to me by a few friends, and I have to admit the title itself grabbed my attention right away.

Evelyn – “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight.   It was fascinating to read such intimate details about the beginnings of Nike, and all the trials, tribulations, sacrifices he faced in order to build a successful brand.  As an entrepreneur now myself, I can identify with so many of those tough decisions he faced in those early days, and there were countless takeaways that I can take and apply to running our company today.

Perfect day…is?

Angela – ok here goes:

  • Both of my children sleep in until a reasonable hour, and I magically wake up before they do

  • I have enough time to prep and cook an amazing healthy breakfast, and we all have time to sit and enjoy it as a family

  • I had already packed their lunches the night before …check!

  • I have time to get showered and dressed at my own pace, and my skin looks perfect so I skip makeup completely

  • Everything is clicking at work; our customer base is growing, employees are happy and all deadlines for the day are met with a breeze

  • I have time to hit a Barry’s class and get in a good sweat

  • I make it home in time to give the kids a bath and put them to bed

  • I cook dinner with my husband Angus and we enjoy it with a bottle of one of my favorite red wines

  • When I check my emails before bed, they are all friendly messages and there are no fires to put out

So basically, a day in which there is just always more time!  😉

When you need to destress what is your go to?

Evelyn – for me, I always find that if I can reset my diet and find time for a workout, I feel instantly less stressed.  No matter what kind of day I’m having, if my diet is clean and I’ve had a chance to sweat, I know that I can tackle any issue with a clear, focused head.

What is your favorite room in your home?

Angela – I love being in the kitchen; it’s truly the heart of my home and it’s where everyone tends to gravitate.  I am happiest when my family and friends are gathered around the island, sharing stories and enjoying good food together.

Favorite Yumi Recipe?

Evelyn – I love our Mango Tango blend.  It’s a mix of really delicious ingredients like chia, coconut milk, flax, dates, banana, cinnamon and mango – it not only tastes delicious, but the balance of nutrients gives me sustained energy all morning.  I grab one almost every day, following my morning workout.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Angela – I’m inspired everyday from the personal messages we get from our customers – women who tell us that our product has changed the way they think about feeding their baby and has made their lives so much easier. Even on the most challenging days, when I feel confused and sometime question everything we’re doing, hearing that positive feedback always brings things back into perspective and reminds me why we built this company in the first place.

First thing you do when you wake up, is?

Evelyn – take my dog Raja for a walk and catch up with my team on Slack.

Angela – my kids get up before me, so I usually wake up to little voices telling me they are ready for breakfast!  The first thing I do is give them a kiss and start getting them ready for the day.

Last thing you do before you go to sleep, is?

Angela – I try to catch up on the news of the day and usually read the New York Times cover to cover.  I know most people don’t like to read the headlines right before bed because it stresses them out, but since my mornings are usually so hectic, I actually find it relaxing to catch up on all the news before I officially end my day.

Evelyn – Read in bed with my fiance with our silly puppy, Raja, cuddling at our feet.

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Dr. G Weighs in on Sleep & Skin

Waking up looking refreshed requires more than just the absence of under eye darkness or puffiness, the skin tells the story. To understand better what actually happens to our bodies and minds while we sleep and why it is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, we sat down with Dr. G to get the scoop.

What controls sleep?

Hormones play a major part of healthy sleep. Melatonin is a hormone made in the brain by the pineal gland and helps to regulate the sleep wake cycle. Human growth hormone or (GH) is released during sleep and hence it’s name, helps to regenerate and grow healthy cells. Studies have shown that ingesting oral melatonin before bed can increase growth hormone by over 150%. As melatonin levels decline with age, only minuscule amounts of the small quantities produced by those suffering from sleep problems actually reach the skin. Ingesting melatonin before bedtime is extremely effective in getting the hormone levels back in balance and delivering a healthy sleep.

Other studies have shown that going straight to the source and applying melatonin directly to the skin may allow those suffering from insomnia to benefit from it’s rejuvenating powers, not only for restoring the appearance and texture of skin, but also in getting a good night’s sleep.

What ingredients should we use night and why?

The restorative power of sleep is vital for rejuvenating and repairing the skin and is controlled by the hormone melatonin. Melatonin production increases and peaks around 2am, so applying a night cream before bed enhances your skin’s ability to rest and reset. Wearing anti-aging products at night allows skin to absorb all the nutrients and ingredients while being in a relaxed state and out range of UV rays and pollution.

During the nighttime hours, the skin springs into action to repair itself back into balance through a restorative and renewal process.The most potent anti-aging ingredients to look for in a night cream include: Retinoids, Peptides and Melatonin. The efficacy of melatonin as a topical agent also offers a promising avenue to enhance the skin’s nightly repair cycle.

  • Retinoids attack hyper-pigmentation, stimulate skin to generate collagen and hyaluronic acid, increase radiance by reducing pore size, safely exfoliate and increase cell turnover .
  • Peptides encourage skin cell growth and collagen production. Peptides are made up of a string of amino acids held together by tough bonds of nitrogen and carbon that act as messengers to send out signals which tell the receptors on your skin cells how they should perform. A few of the most beneficial peptides include palmitoyl pentapeptide-3,which is a peptide that triggers a natural heal-and-repair response that stimulates the development of collagen and elastin, encourages new fibroblast growth, and increases the production of skin cells. Acetyl hexapeptide-3 is a powerful wrinkle-reducing peptide that works by hindering a signal protein called catecholamine that triggers muscle contraction, thereby relaxing your facial muscles.
  • Melatonin plays a key role in rejuvenating skin by stimulating the growth of major skin cells such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Fibroblasts produce the essential proteins collagen and elastin, which provide structural support for the skin. Melatonin has also been shown to be effective against skin aging. It has powerful antioxidant properties by quenching mainly hydroxyl radicals, the most damaging of all radicals.

What can we do to ensure a good night’s sleep?

Set yourself up for success by making your bedroom into a successful sleeping area. Sleep with your head slightly elevated can help with fluid retention in the facial area. Fluid retention occurs while we sleep because we are lying flat and circulation can be affected. Excess sugar, salt and alcohol will add to fluid retention. Consumption of all these pollutants can escalate swelling and puffiness to the eyes and face. Try to avoid alcohol before bed as it leads to uneven sleep rhythms in the brain as well as fluid retention.

Top tips for a good night’s sleep:

  • Keep your bedroom at a cool temperature
  • Silk pillow case-softer and less absorbent than cotton-silk won’t dry skin out and also causes less pulling and tugging if you’re a face sleeper
  • Wear earplugs to ensure silence
  • Noise machine- used to calm babies and help them sleep, noise machines can be beneficial for falling asleep as well as staying asleep
  • Stop using electronics an hour before bedtime and keep your phone/tablet out of the bedroom-blue light interferes with sleep
  • Eat plant based high fat foods with dinner to stay satiated and balance blood sugar while asleep
  • Wear an eye mask -keeps light out
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