Weleda Magazine (Summer/Fall 2012 #11) by Weleda North America

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and hold onto a rattle before she was ready, I was rushing her and forgetting that she will do these things in her own time. The book reminded me that she is wise, even if she is just a baby. If I listen, she can teach me things, like how to slow down and enjoy life and simply being together. Bailey is now 6-months- old and we recently had a picnic in Central Park. As we laid on our backs under a shady tree, gazing upward through its branches, she was captivated by the bright green leaves blowing in the summer breeze. As she kicked her little legs in excitement and smiled her big toothless grin, I was reminded of how powerful nature can be, how much we need a healthy planet for our own well-being and how joyful it is to see the world through a baby’s eyes.

comed our first baby, a girl we named Bailey, into our family. The experience has been wonderful, but it’s also re-awakened in me a sense of urgency about the environment. Now that Bailey is here, I find myself wondering what the world will be like when she is my age. What kind of planet are we leaving to her, to her children and her children’s children? What hardships will they be forced to endure because of our recklessness and inaction? My husband and I have promised to raise Bailey to be conscious of the effect her actions have on the environment, and for the sake of the planet, I hope that other new parents will do the same. Soon after Bailey was born, the CEO of Weleda North America, Jasper van Brakel and his wife, Marieke, gave me a lovely book called A Child’s Way: Slowing Down for Goodness Sake, by Sharon Elliott. Elliott writes about finding harmony and resonance with a child’s natural rhythms, from which she says most adults have lost touch. I realized that by trying to get Bailey to nap on a strict schedule, to sit up in a baby chair

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Carrie Ruehlman The first 100 people to email me at editor@ weleda.com with your mailing address will receive free sample sachets of Weleda’s new body lotions. Learn more about them on pages 12–17.

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Weleda Magazine ingredients AT WOR K W I TH T H E WORL D

F E ATURE

18 Fair Trade: A Beautiful Way

4 A Lemon Story

to Do Business

S PA- I F I C ATI O N

WE E FOC US

8 Ask Customer Care

24 We Got the Beat

RE TAI LE R S POTL I G HT

BIODYN AM IC S®

11 Rainbow Grocery, San Francisco

28 A Natural Education

COVE R F E ATURE

AU N ATURE L

12 Inspire Your Senses

32 Soothe Yourself to Sleep

Weleda Magazine Summer–Fall 2012 Issue 11 (published since 2007) Published by Weleda North America: 1 Bridge Street, Suite 42 Irvington, NY 10533

Editorial Contributors Lotus Abrams, Monica Agarwala, Gloria Dawson, Sharon Elliott, Connie Montalvo, Carrie Ruehlman Photo Contributors Christian Aeberhard, 18. Mark Bowden, 26. Connie Montalvo, 28–30. Michael Peuckert, 4–6, 14, 16, 20–23. Rainbow Grocery, 11. Elgars Retigs, 34. Carrie Ruehlman, 8, 9. Weleda Archive, 4, 17, 24, 32, 33. Barbara von Woellwarth, 16. Catherine Yeulet, 25.

Weleda Magazine is a free biannual publication Weleda Magazine Editor in Chief Carrie Ruehlman for Weleda North America Tel: 1.800.241.1030 Fax: 1.800.280.4899 usa.weleda.com; weleda.ca editor@weleda.com

Art Direction/Design Michael Kelly Designs, michael@mlkelly.com www.mlkelly.com

Reprinting of articles is not permitted without permission

Printing Allied Printing Services, Inc., an EPA green power partner Biodynamic® is a registered certification mark of the Demeter Association, Inc.

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Go to usa.weleda.com/signup to sign up for the digital version.

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AT W O R K W I T H T H E W O RL D

LEMON STORY

» GROWING WELEDA’S BIODYNAMIC ® LEMONS IN SICILY »

ICILY, THE LARGEST ISLAND in the Mediterranean

Sea, is known for its fine wines, fresh seafood and splendid natural beauty. But did you know it’s also famous for its lemons? In fact, there’s a saying in Sicily that lemons are not real lemons unless they’re Sicilian. Popular in worldwide cuisine, homeopathic remedies and beauty products, the Sicilian lemon is thought to be native to Central Asia, possibly northern India and Iran. Since the Middle Ages, the lemon has spread from China in the east to Florida in the west and has been an important plant for centuries. A member of the Rutaceae family, which includes citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits, its name comes from the Arabic “limun” or “limu.” WELEDA’S SUN-KISSED CITRUS It’s here in Sicily, under the

warm Mediterranean sun, where Weleda ethically sources Biodynamic® lemons for use in its plant-based remedies and also in some skin- and body-care products. Weleda purchases lemons from a family-run cooperative, which

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very best quality lemon juice and essential oil for use in Weleda products. In fact, the sugar content, quality of nutrients and acidity level of Salamita lemons are known to be higher than those of conventionally grown citrus fruits. H A N D P I C KE D A N D F R E S H - P R E S S E D The

ABOVE: In keeping with Biodynamic® principles, lemons

are hand-harvested early in the morning. OPPOSITE: Only the best lemons are selected for use in Weleda Citrus Body Care.

was started 40 years ago by four Salamita brothers. T hey formed the cooperative with only a handful of farms, five acres and a passion for the environment. They believed that sustainable agriculture could help prevent environmental degradation, and so they decided to utilize Biodynamic® farming methods from the very beginning. In 1976 — just two years after they started the cooperative — their farms were certified Biodynamic® by Demeter, a non-profit that sets the standard farms must meet in order to legally claim they are Biodynamic®. The Salamita family made it their mission to convince other local farmers to join their FR ANCE cooperative and convert their fields to Biodynamic®. Like organic farming, Biodynamic® agriculture avoids pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, but it goes beyond organic to treat the farm as one ecosystem, where all parts contribute to the whole. Thanks to rich compost, biodiversity and time-tested farming methods like crop rotation, the co-op’s sunny citrus groves are strong and healthy. Today, long hours of sunshine, fertile volcanic soils and diligent care combine to produce the

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Salamita headquarters are located in Barcellona, a small town along the northern coast of Sicily. It’s where all of the handpicked lemons from each of the individual farms come together to be sorted and cleaned in spring water before being sent all over the world. The lemons for Weleda undergo further processing in Sicily by the family business LLi Branca SPA. They pick the highest-quality lemons for Weleda and wash them, brush them and load them onto conveyor belts for further processing. During the peak harvest season from November to May, LLi Branca extracts essential oil, juice and flesh from 75,000 tons of citrus fruit. To obtain the essential oil, pressure is applied to the fruit from above, suction is applied from below and incisions are made on the outside using fine blades. This allows the juice and essential oils to run out of the lemon, and then they GERMANY AUSTRIA

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Mediterranean Sea ALG.

Palermo

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ALB.

Concetta and Francesco Salamita grow Biodynamic® lemons that pack a powerful punch of vitamin C.

are separated in a centrifuge. It takes more than 200 pounds of lemons to make just 10 ounces of lemon essential oil. Because Weleda’s need for lemon essential oil is so great, the company also sources lemons from Argentina to help meet the demand. Today the Salamita cooperative, managed by Francesco and Concetta Salamita, has more than 65 Biodynamic ® farms across almost 5,000 acres of land. In addition to lemons, they grow valued Sicilian commodities like oranges, vegetables, durum wheat, hazelnuts and grapes. The Salamitas invest their profits back into the cooperative and into the community; they buy new machines and transport vehicles, construct school rooms and offer Biodynamic® instruction for co-op members. As firm believers in the importance of sustainable farming methods, the Salamita family strives to share the benefits of Biodynamics® with local farmers and Sicilians, all in the name of flourishing fruits, a healthy planet and happy workers. Carrie Ruehlman

LEMON AID FOR HEALTH & BEAUTY Loaded with antioxidant vitamin C and rich in citric acid, lemon juice is an excellent astringent and toner. It’s useful for oily and acne-prone skin. Components of lemon essential oil act as a natural preservative in Weleda's Citrus Body Care and are also used to fragrance the products. Citrus aromas are proven to boost your spirit, so start your day with one of these Weleda products and add a little sunshine to your shower.

Citrus Refreshing Body Oil, Citrus Creamy Body Wash and Citrus Hydrating Body Lotion are packed with pure lemon essential oils to invigorate your skin and senses.

To learn more about Weleda's ingredients, visit weleda.com/ingredients.

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Sensual by nature Indulge your skin. Inspire your senses.

NEW Lotions

Weledaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new body lotions are specially formulated with plants and fruits to help support the skinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own strengthening abilitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;rendering skin indulgently soft, radiant and smooth. With a composition rich in pure oils, the exhilarating scent from these luscious lotions will evoke an inspiring harmony and will leave you with beautifully nurtured skin. More at usa.weleda.com

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ASK C U STO M ER CARE » Should I use the Calendula Diaper Care to prevent diaper rash or just to heal it? DENA: Calendula Diaper Care contains healing zinc oxide, which is ideal for soothing irritation from diaper rash without the use of harsh chemicals. If your little one has a red and sore rash, use it each time you change the diaper. Once the skin has calmed, you can switch to the Calendula Baby Cream for the soothing daily care of your baby’s bottom and for diaper rash prevention. You can also use our Calendula Oil or Calendula Lotion on a towel or tissue as a natural, gentle baby wipe.

ave you ever called Weleda Customer Care with a question about a website order or a product? If so, you’ve likely spoken to Dena Moskowitz or Tom Donohue, our pair of superstar customer care representatives who work at our headquarters in Irvington, NY. Always smiling and always willing to help a customer out, these two are Weleda veterans. Tom has been with Weleda for 19 years; he worked in shipping before landing in his current role, which fits him like a (garden) glove. Dena has been with Weleda for almost 21 years. She’s worked in everything from shipping to marketing and is now the manager of customer care. So the next time you can’t decide which Weleda facial care line is best for you, or you’re wondering if you can use Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash to clean the family dog (a frequently asked question), then give them a call (800.241.1030) or email info@weleda.com. In the meantime, here are their answers to other commonly asked questions. Carrie Ruehlman

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» I have an intolerance to gluten and am concerned about it being in my personal care products. Do your products contain it? TOM: Celiac disease is a digestive intolerance to gluten, a protein that occurs naturally in wheat and other grains. It is unlikely for a person with celiac disease

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our body’s own skin oils. As a skin-care ingredient, it’s super: it has the unique ability to absorb twice its weight in water, protecting the skin against moisture loss. Lanolin helps make Skin Food the moisture miracle-worker it is for healing dry spots on hands, heels and elbows. Our lanolin comes from sheep in New Zealand, and they are not harmed in any way; the lanolin is extracted from the wool as part of the natural wool-shearing process. Weleda uses only hypoallergenic lanolin and any pesticide residue that may have blown over from neighboring farms has been reduced to levels below those for European food limits.

Dena Moskowitz and Tom Donohue, Weleda’s superstar customer care representatives. ABOVE: Dena and Tom circa 1991, in Weleda’s old stock room. LEFT:

to have a reaction to a skin-care product, since gluten can only be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. However, some people have wheat allergies, which may cause them to have skin sensitivities. Many Weleda skin-care products and medicines contain alcohol derived from organic wheat, and some products contain wheat germ oil or malt extract from barley. We heat and distill our alcohol and filter our wheat germ oil to remove allergy-causing proteins, but we cannot guarantee that all of the residues are removed. That’s why if you have a gluten intolerance that could be a wheat allergy, we recommend that you consult with your medical practitioner before using any of our products containing alcohol, malt extract or wheat germ oil, as indicated on the ingredient label.

» Wondering if you have any tips for getting the most product out of your tubes? I wasted so much of my Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion and just repurchased (because it’s amazing!). Any suggestions? TOM: Customers often call us asking this same question, and fortunately, there is an easy way to get every last drop of product out of the tubes we use to package Skin Food, Foot Balm, Pomegranate and Sea Buckthorn Hand Creams and also our

toothpastes. We recommend a tube roller that you can pick up at any art and crafts supply store. It will help save money while keeping the tubes neat.

» I am a vegan who tries to avoid animal ingredients in my products. I was wondering why you use lanolin in Skin Food? DENA: Skin Food is a Weleda formula that has not changed since it was created in the 1920s. (It’s like they say: If it’s not broke...) In addition to plant ingredients like pansy, chamomile and calendula, Skin Food contains lanolin, a wax made from wool that shares a similar chemistry to

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Use a tube roller to get every last drop out of your favorite Weleda product.

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R E TA I L E R S P O T L I G H T Rainbow Grocery, San Francisco, CA | rainbow.coop

AINBOW GROCERY in San Fran-

the community because we continue to be an advocate for quality sustainable foods.” The trust also stems from Rainbow’s commitment to only selling 100-percent natural skin-care products. “People throw the word ‘natural’ around all the time, but it doesn’t mean anything anymore,” says Trigueros. “As a buyer, natural is no longer a selling point. Our customers want more. The high standards we hold for our products is what brings customers back.” According to Trigueros, Weleda products sell well because employees can stand behind each product’s story. “Although not every product works the same on each person, the integrity of the ingredients speaks volumes to the brand,” he says. “Customers love the body oils and face creams.” Inside the store, Rainbow showcases the artwork of local artists and even grants awards to local non-profits. As a champion of the community, quality foods and higher organic standards, it continues to be an active, relevant and vital member of the Mission District. Monica Agarwala

c i s c o i s o n e o f t h e Mi s s i o n District’s most popular retailers. It began more than 40 years ago as an ashram focused on the art of meditation. As part of its mission, members sought to provide the community with access to affordable vegetarian foods. With the opening of its first storefront in 1975, Rainbow evolved from a spiritual community into a sustainable business. In the beginning, the store was run by volunteers, but soon its success necessitated a management structure that allowed the owners to pay workers a fair wage. Marcus Trigueros, who has worked at Rainbow for seven years, says that despite its success, Rainbow remains dedicated to its original mission: to provide food for people, not for profit. Today, it’s one of the largest worker-owned co-ops in the U.S., with 250 worker-owners. Trigueros recalls walking into the store when he was just eight years old and recognizing that it was something different, somewhere special. “Reputation and integrity are what have contributed to Rainbow’s longevity,” he says. “We have the trust of

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Think your local Weleda retailer should be spotlighted here? Tell us! Email editor@weleda.com.

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P O S E A I N S P I R

W I L C

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W E L E D A I N T R O D U C E S F O U R N E W B O D Y LOT I O N S

Come September, autumnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cool breezes, crisp clear days and canopy of colors are a welcome respite from the long hot summer. This fall, we have one more thing to look forward to: four new body lotions from Weleda, which will be available at Weleda retailers beginning in September. What makes these products special? Each one is named for a lead plant that Weleda selected for its extraordinary healing abilities. When combined with other carefully chosen, potent natural ingredients, the lead plant delivers powerful skin benefits like smoothing, firming and moisturizing. Lead plants are researched and chosen by Weleda R&D in Germany, using their incredibly deep understanding of nature and a belief in the harmonious and symbiotic relationship between people and the environment. The power of citrus, sea buckthorn, wild rose and pomegranate has been combined with nourishing plant extracts and nut and seed oils to create a line of body lotions rich in active ingredients that care for the skin while inspiring your senses. Read on for more information about the lead plants and the benefits of the products they represent. Carrie Ruehlman

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R E F R E S H I N G B O DY C A R E FO R N O R M AL S K I N Citrus Refreshing Body Care awakens the senses and leaves skin moisturized and refreshed. Organic aloe vera, coconut oil and sesame seed oil combine to hydrate dry skin. Pair the lightweight Citrus Hydrating Body Lotion with Citrus Creamy Body Wash, Refreshing Body Oil and the powerful Citrus Deodorant to revitalize your senses and kick-start your day with the fresh aroma of oranges and lemons.

CITRUS MOISTURIZE AND BRIGHTEN Like a cool sip of lemonade on a hot day, citrus is the lead plant that jump-starts our senses and makes us feel joyful. The lemon tree is the only tree that simultaneously blossoms and produces fruit all year round, and it continuously forms fresh green foliage, never browning. It’s a fruit that is overflowing with strong growing impulses, and it passes that energy on to us. High in vitamin C, lemon essential oils reside in the peel, the flesh and the leaves of the plant. Lemon aromas are proven to invigorate and boost one’s mood and spirits, while lemon essential oil brightens, clarifies and tones the skin.

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SEA BUCKTHORN SUNNY SENSATION Sea buckthorn berries have a special ability to soak up the sun’s energy and convert it into vitamins and essential fatty acids, which skin needs to be healthy. Weleda grows its sea buckthorn biodynamically in Tuscany, where powerful sunshine, rich soil and ideal temperatures create nutritious berries high in vitamins A, C and E — a powerful combination that helps protect skin from free-radical damage. Our growing partner, Kurt Künzi (pictured, right), is a pioneer in the industry — he was the first person to cultivate sea buckthorn biodynamically. That’s why we call him the “Sea Buckthorn King!”

» For extra-dry skin, add a few drops of your favorite Weleda Body Oil to its complementary lotion for ultra-rich hydration.

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R E P LE N I S H I N G B O DY C A R E FO R D RY S K I N Do you love soaking up the sun? Then Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion is just what you need. It protects skin from moisture loss, activates the skin’s self-regulating capabilities and leaves it renewed and replenished. With organic mallow extracts, shea butter and macadamia nut oil, it helps skin look softer and smoother. Pair it with Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash, Sea Buckthorn Body Oil and Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream for a nourishing boost of antioxidant power from vibrant sea buckthorn berries.

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WILD ROSE HEAVEN SCENT The queen of flowers, the rose represents harmony, balance and beauty. It’s the perfect f lower for our skin during that time of our lives when we find ourselves wearing many hats — mom, friend, wife, businesswoman — and struggling to juggle them all. As the challenges of everyday life become increasingly demanding, it can show on our skin. The signs of aging (fine lines, dryness and sun spots) often begin to appear. With its harmonizing and balancing capabilities, rosehip seed oil from the Rosa moschata flower can reinforce skin’s

youthful vitality and maintain its healthy balance, while essential oils from the Rosa damascena provide an exquisite, moodbalancing scent.

PAMPERING BODY CARE FOR NORMAL TO DRY SKIN Wild Rose Pampering Body Lotion is made with rosehip seed oil, which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, as well as moisturizing jojoba oil and toning witch hazel water. It helps maintain skin’s natural elasticity, leaving it supple and smooth. The delicate floral scent from organically grown Rosa damascena petals wraps you in the essence of pure roses. Use the Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash in the shower and the Wild Rose Body Oil to soak up the aroma of freshly cut rose petals. Finish with a spritz of Wild Rose Deodorant.

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SKIN-CARE TIPS JUST FOR YOU! When it comes to the new Weleda Body Lotions, Weleda esthetician Lilith Schwertle, based in Germany, loves the scents, creamy consistency and easy application. Here is her expert advice! Q: You’ve developed special skin-care tips for Weleda’s new body lotions. Please tell us about those.

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REGENERATING BODY CARE FOR MATURE SKIN Aging skin craves antioxidant protection and firming power. Weleda’s Pomegranate Regenerating Body Care has both and more. Made with organic pomegranate seed oil from Turkey, apricot kernel oil and moisturizing shea butter, Pomegranate Regenerating Body Care will help stimulate cell renewal and protect skin from damaging environmental influences. Try the Regenerating Body Oil, Hand Cream, Creamy Body Wash and new Regenerating Body Lotion.

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POMEGRANATE A VITAL FRUIT Pomegranate is the perfect fruit for maturing skin. The antioxidant vitamins and essential fatty acids in its juicy red berries have an active and stimulating effect on the skin. Unlike other fruits, the pomegranate grows dynamically, with all three of its life cycles — buds, blossoms and fruits — happening at once instead of in stages. The word pomegranate in German (granatapfel) is derived from the word granate, or grenade. Fittingly, when a pomegranate is ripe, it literally explodes off the tree branch. It’s in this liveliness that we can see the

pomegranate’s dynamic and powerful effect on the skin. When elasticity and vitality diminish, the energetic ingredients inside the pomegranate help support skin’s regeneration and keep it beautiful.

A. For an energetic start to your day, apply Citrus Refreshing Body Lotion with long stroking movements from your extremities inward toward your chest — first on the right side, then on the left. Inhale the aroma and enjoy. With forefinger and thumb, massage your earlobe and temples for a few minutes. Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion is perfect for a soft head massage.

The massage stimulates the circulatory system and activates the metabolism. Start on your head with your fingertips — like how raindrops would dance. Q. What is your favorite lotion? A. I travel a lot, lead workshops and hold presentations. To keep mentally, emotionally and physically balanced, I use the Wild Rose Pampering Body Lotion — it’s my favorite.

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FAIR

A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO DO BUSINESS

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TRADE

he ingredients inside your beauty products are often grown in beautiful, exotic locations, but all too often they have a dirty little secret: The workers farming the fields and growing the ingredients are suffering. Products grown by companies employing fair-trade standards are different. » You’ve probably seen fair-trade certified logos in the grocery store aisle, on foods like sugar, coffee and chocolate. Now they’re showing up in the beauty aisle, too. Some beauty companies, especially those who use natural ingredients, are realizing how important fair trade can be — for the farmers, the environment and for business. Now more than ever, people want to know where ingredients come from, how they were grown and how people were treated along the way. »

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The health of the environment and the livelihood of workers in developing countries isn’t something people take for granted. Beauty, it seems, isn’t just about a pretty face; it’s about being fair inside and out. There are many different fair-trade labels with different focuses, but in general, a fair-trade certifier helps companies ensure that the farm workers at the beginning of the supply chain have safe conditions and are paid fair wages. Fair-trade philosophy also advocates using non-GMO ingredients, making certain that farmers have the tools and education they need, and giving back to the local community. Fair trade goes hand-in-hand with the environmental movement. Sustainable, organic or Biodynamic® growing practices, as well as toxin-free production methods, are common components of a company’s fair-trade strategy. After all, chemicals and pesticides aren’t safe for the people who farm or process ingredients. Fair-trade practices are particularly

important in countries where labor laws don’t exist or aren’t strictly regulated. “Many wonderful ingredients can be sourced incredibly inexpensively in other countries, where laws may not prohibit the exploitation of workers, or where those laws are murky and unenforceable,” says Siobhan O’Connor, who co-authored the book No More Dirty Looks: The Truth About Your Beaut y Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics. “By working with a third-party fair-trade certifier, companies can ensure that workers across their supply chain are paid a fair wage, even if those workers are employed in farms and factories around the world.” F A I R T R A D E A N D W E L E D A Fa i r t r a d e

has been central to Weleda’s ingredientsourcing practices since the Swiss-based company was founded 91 years ago. Today Weleda’s ingredients are grown all over the world, and its skin- and body-care products are sold in more than 50 countries.

1 Jasmine harvesters in Egypt; 2 Collecting lavender in Moldova; 3 Clearing irrigation canals in Morocco; 4 A worker in Morocco transports freshly-harvested iris roots; 5 Harvesting sesame in Mexico; 6 Collecting argan in Morocco; 7 A farmer named Blas Aparicio examines rosemary in Spain before it goes into the distillery boiler; 8 Workers collect organic lavender from fields in Moldova

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Utilizing fair-trade practices, Weleda prefinances its harvests, pays a fair price for crops and guarantees purchase quantities from year to year to help farmers — and the communities around them — thrive. When it came to choosing a fair-trade label, Fair Trade USA, one of largest certifiers in the states, wasn’t the right f it because the international company needed a label that is recognized around the world. According to Bas Schneiders, head of international strategic sourcing at Weleda, it was important that the certifier have a biodiversity criteria. “Biodynamic® farming encourages the development of a diverse ecosystem and is based on the studies of Weleda co-founder Dr. Rudolf Steiner,” says Schneiders. “T hat’s why Weleda decided to partner with the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), a non-profit certifier that includes the perfect blend of both social and biodiversity criteria.” Before joining UEBT, all of Weleda’s suppliers had to agree to Weleda’s own Social Trade Guidelines, but there were challenges to the transparency across the supply chain. In becoming a member of UEBT, Weleda applies the organization’s

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Ethical BioTrade Standard to its projects, ensuring that all of its sourcing practices promote the conservation of biodiversity and that benefits are shared equally throughout the supply chain. According t o Rik Kutsch L ojenga, executive director of the UEBT, “It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to improve the social and ecological practices of all its suppliers. This requires investments through training, technical advice, or engaging in long-term commitments.” Currently, 25 of Weleda’s active projects follow fair-trade principles. For example, the company purchases organic beeswax from traditional African fair-trade certified beekeepers, who use log hives in forested areas. There’s also the Rosa damascena project in Turkey, where Weleda sources rose absolute, the purest rose essential oil and the one that Weleda uses to fragrance its Wild Rose skin- and body-care products. That project started in 2001, when the company partnered with Sebat rose oil distillery and 30 rose farmers in Turkey. Weleda provided equipment and guidance to help the farmers convert their rose farms

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from conventional to organic. Inspired by their success, more than 300 farmers eventually signed on. A stable partnership developed over the past decade that brings many advantages to everyone involved. Weleda guarantees purchase of rose absolute and gets a plentiful supply, while the farmers have the security of a fair and stable income from year to year. Weleda and Sebat have used the income from the project to finance a village kindergarten for 50 children from local farms. Scholarships are awarded to local students who wish to continue researching the organic cultivation of roses; this academic support contributes to the future sustainability of the project. Weleda’s rose project is now the world’s largest organic rose project. In fact, “one third of the worldwide crop for the soughtafter rose absolute is produced in Turkey for Weleda from organic roses,” says Schneiders. “The cooperation between Weleda, the Sebat rose oil distillery and the local

farmers provides a good example of a sustainable and fair-trade business practice.” B R I N G I N G I T H O M E Increasingly, compa-

nies are finding that fair trade makes good business sense. By studying consumer behavior, UEBT discovered that many people are aware and concerned about such topics as biodiversity and ethical standards. “Customers are better informed and are much more demanding of companies when it comes to things like health, human rights, biodiversity and fair trade,” says Schneiders. “In other words, sustainability is not a trend but part of a global change in mindset.” The companies that don’t change — that don’t become more sustainable and socially responsible — those are the companies that will become dinosaurs. Says O’Connor, “We’ve seen explosive growth and interest in the last three or four years in natural and fair-trade products, and it seems to be growing all of the time.” Gloria Dawson

9 Schoolgirls in Sri Lanka from the local village where sandalwood is harvested for Weleda; 10 A young boy attends school in Morocco, in the village where many farmers tend to Weleda's iris cultivation project; 11 Women carry firewood through an oasis of organic roses in Morocco; 12 Handpicking pomegranates in Turkey; 13 Bas Schneiders in Sri Lanka, visiting Weleda's fair-trade sandalwood project

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SOURCING WITH RESPECT A Q&A with Weleda’s Head of Strategic Sourcing, Bas Schneiders Under its partnership with UEBT, Weleda will change and improve sourcing practices to promote conservation and biodiversity and to ensure fair-labor practices along the supply chain.

effort between politics, enterprises and the end consumer can make supply chains worldwide fairer and more sustainable. W h at ’ s i n t h e f a i r - t ra d e f u t u re fo r Weleda? I see us even more in the role of “incubator” or funders of social and environmental initiatives in developing and emerging countries. Our activities will promote businesses directly on a local level in agriculture and production, and do so in financial cooperation with NGOs and banks. You could call it “Sustainability 2.0.” I think the business model will move more toward social entrepreneurship.

What changes has Weleda made since joining UEBT? The company has had all suppliers provide information about social standards, labor conditions and biodiversity, as well as worker issues like access and benefit sharing, respecting local rights and food resources. Weleda also trains its employees on the importance of fair-trade practices. How would you describe the importance of fair trade and UEBT membership to a skeptical consumer? Conservation of biodiversity and fair trade are key to any natural product. They not only guarantee a longterm supply of ingredients, but also provide regular income for thousands of plant collectors and farmers worldwide. Becoming a member of an organization like UEBT is, without question, an important step. But globally, it’s a small effort. Only a common

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WEE FOCUS

WE GOT

THE BEAT » FINDING YOUR FAMILY’S RHYTHM »

EW PARENTS OFTEN hear about putting their baby

on a “schedule.” It was during my training in Waldorf Early Childhood Education that I first heard the word rhythm used when referring to the pace and activities of the day. Although similar to a schedule, a rhythm is not a strict, unnatural routine. It’s like breathing, a natural in and out, a contraction and expansion. As a Waldorf Kindergarten teacher, I learned to experience rhythm as a stream that carried me and the children along. Our artistic activity was followed by free play and then a snack was followed by outdoor time. There was a flow that we surrendered to that is very nourishing for young children, but we all benefit from time in the day for stillness and activity, for time indoors and time in nature, for social time and time alone. S E T T H E PA C E A family’s rhythm is centered around

natural human needs for sleep, nourishment, relationship and learning. As the child grows and develops, the rhythm

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changes. And as the parents change, or life situations change, the rhythm will need adjustments. It’s important to find a rhythm that supports relationships and the needs of all individuals in a family. Finding the rhythm should be treated as an exploration. Begin by noticing what both you and your child need. Do either of you get cranky around 10:00 a.m.? Maybe you need a snack, so put snack time in the rhythm around 10:00 in the morning. A rhythm doesn’t have to be minute by minute — it can be quiet time followed by active time followed by quiet time. Something as simple as a bedtime routine can have welcome results and help establish your family’s rhythm. Your child might not know the clock time for bedtime, but she does know that it follows bath time. The nighttime routine can begin with a feeding, followed by a bath using the Weleda Baby Calendula Cream Bath, which is perfect for soothing and nourishing skin after a busy day. After the bath, try a relaxing massage for your baby with Weleda Baby Calendula Oil or nightly Lavender Relaxing Body Oil for the soles of her tiny feet. Then read a book, sing a lullaby and put baby to bed. This slowing down time together might be the best gift for both you and your child. (See page 32 for suggestions on starting a nighttime routine for yourself.) Create a similar rhythm for nap time. When baby starts to show signs of tiring,

darken the bedroom, change her diaper, put her in a cozy sleep sack and then sing a lullaby before laying her down. Soon she will recognize these cues and grow to welcome the quiet time. M E E T Y O U R O W N N E E D S New parents,

especially new moms, often try to take all of the responsibilities on themselves. It’s important to allow others to take part in the rhythm and care of the baby. If you’re not

WEATHER PROTECTION FOR BABY’S SKIN As summer comes to an end, Weleda has the perfect product to add to your baby-care collection for fall and winter: Calendula Weather Protection Cream. With pure beeswax, soothing calendula extract and sweet almond oil, it protects a baby’s delicate skin from harsh conditions without the use of synthetic ingredients. Learn more at usa.weleda.com/babycare.

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a morning person, perhaps your partner could enjoy a few moments with the baby in those early hours by greeting the baby, changing and feeding her, or bringing her to you for nursing or a bottle in bed. Everybody gets some cuddling and you get to ease into the day. Include yourself in the rhythm in order to meet your own needs, as well as your baby’s, during the day. As adults, we need time for work, for exercise, for connection with our family and for quiet reflection. Make sure as a parent that you get time with adults and support. Notice how much sleep you need and ensure that any sleep deprivation is temporary and that you receive relief. While your baby or child is napping, don’t rush around doing your chores and find yourself exhausted when she awakes. You can take a nap, too. Allow a minimum of 15 minutes a day of quiet check-in time for yourself. Also, it’s okay to go about some of your own activities — don’t feel you have to always be entertaining your child. When we

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are in love, we love just being in the other person’s presence — we don’t have to be doing the same thing. It’s the same for children. Perhaps after the afternoon walk, it’s your time for a chore; fold the laundry while your child is in the room playing or attempting to help. Maybe she folds the washcloths. Children learn most by imitation, and they love it. Finally, put some time in your daily, weekly and monthly rhythm for you and your partner — your relationship is a gift for your child, just as the child is a gift to you. This fall and winter, during the season of slowing down, be gentler with yourself. Take time to notice the light of courage, wisdom and humor in yourself, your children and in the world. Find the joy that makes your heart sing, and the rhythm that carries you along. Sharon Elliott Sharon Elliott is the co-author of A Child’s Way: Slowing Down for Goodness Sake, written with her daughter, Carrie Ferguson, and published by Goldenstone Press. sharonelliott.com

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B I O DY N A M I C S ®

A NATUR AL

EDUCATION » HAWTHORNE VALLEY FARM CONNECTS PEOPLE TO NATURE »

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S I DRIVE UP the tree-lined winding road to

Hawthorne Valley Farm, my home in New York City feels a million miles away, even though I’ve only been on the road for two hours. When I arrive, I inhale deeply and take it all in. From that first breath, I can feel the quiet tranquility of the farm’s daily rhythm settle into my bones. The wind rustles, people chatter, and off in the distance, cows munch away. Welcome to Hawthorne Valley Farm. Hawthorne Valley is a 400-acre Biodynamic® farm in Columbia County, New York. Since 1972, the farm has produced high-quality, Biodynamic® and organic foods while providing farm-based learning experiences for children and adults. The farm has dairy cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, vegetables, a creamery, an organic bakery, a sauerkraut cellar and more. They distribute their goods at farmer’s markets

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around the state, including at the legendary Union Square Greenmarket in Manhattan. They also operate a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, in which people pay a fee to receive a monthly box of produce. The farm itself is part of a much larger organization called the Hawthorne Valley Association, a diverse not-for-profit that was founded by farmers, artists and teachers in the hope that education, agriculture and the arts could come together to reconnect people to the land. Its origins are deeply rooted in Dr. Rudolf Steiner’s teachings about the interconnectedness of humans and nature. A philosopher and scientist who co-founded Weleda, Steiner emphasized the many learning opportunities that nature provides. Today the Hawthorne Valley Association is one of the largest employers in the county, akin to a few large branches and many little twigs. T he larger branches include the farm and farm store, a Waldorf School, a Waldorf teacher-training center, the Farmscape Ecology Program and the ever-busy Hawthorne Valley Farm Learning Center, where visitors and students from urban centers can experience what it means to be stewards of the land. The

smaller “twigs” include the creamery and the bakery. The work at Hawthorne Valley follows Biodynamic ® farming practices, a concept Steiner first introduced in a series of lectures in 1924. He presented a holistic view of agriculture based upon a healthy farm, one with the right balance of plants and animals with a focus on healthy soil life. According to the Hawthorne Valley Farm website, this type of mixed-farming approach predates Steiner ’s ideas, but he pioneered the view of an ideal farm — a Biodynamic ® farm — as one that can produce everything it needs from within itself and become a self-contained individuality. The cycle of Biodynamic ® agriculture starts with healthy soil, where the nutrients in the soil pass into the plants, allowing them to flourish. The plants, in turn, give energy to the animals that eat them, who then fertilize the soil through their manure. It’s in these natural progressions that farming becomes more than just tilling dirt or picking weeds — it becomes an ecosystem in balance, where all the pieces are in step with each other and the farm functions as one self-sustaining organism. At Hawthorne, nothing goes to waste; value

Hawthorne Valley Farm is all about nurturing the land that nurtures us; LEFT: The farm boasts an iconic style barn; ABOVE: The author and Weleda's digital marketing intern, Connie Montalvo OPPOSITE:

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Cooking up rice-based treats made with farmfresh ingredients; BELOW: Lettuce in the greenhouse is ready for picking. LEFT:

is added to whatever they produce: milk is turned into yogurt, cabbage into sauerkraut and grain into bread. As we strolled through the fields, past grazing sheep and clucking chickens, Rachel Schneider, director of the Learning Center, talked about the tenets of Biodynamic® farming, including the relationship between humans and nature. We could not survive without the earth under our feet, the water that surrounds us, the air above us or the sun, moon, planets and stars. All of these elements move around, under, over and within one another, as if in a dance. A Biodynamic® farmer is sensitive to that dance and to the forces and relationships that occur on a farm. Take companion planting, for instance. Different plant species, like chives and tomatoes, do well when grown together. Chives have a pungent odor that deters some pests, so planting them alongside tomatoes allows both crops to flourish with little disturbance from bugs. The Biodynamic® farmer also works in concert with the cosmos, planting according to growing cycles and harvesting when plants are at their most vital point.

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T he Biodynamic ® farmer must be a sensitive being, one who is in touch with all aspects of life on the farm. This includes connecting with their consumers. Hawthorne Valley actively uses direct marketing to bring the farm into homes in the local community. If you shop here, if you visit the market stalls or even if you take a tour, you become a part the farm. As the tour comes to an end, Schneider sums it up: “The farm is meant to inspire, strengthen and transform an individual’s connection to the living land.” Driving back to my apartment in the city, I feel renewed and reconnected with nature. And I am grateful that every Saturday I will be able to reestablish that connection at the Union Square Greenmarket, picking up some Biodynamic ® vegetables from my friends at Hawthorne Valley. Connie Montalvo

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AU N AT U RE L

SOOTHE YOURSELF

TO SLE EP

» THE BEAUTY OF RELAXING NIGHTTIME RITUALS »

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T THE END OF A LONG, busy day, do you jump

straight into your bed exhausted, barely stopping to brush your teeth? Or do you fall asleep on the sofa with the lights and television on, without even bothering to wash your face? It can be hard to find the time in the evenings to adopt a soothing nighttime routine, but slowing down and spending a few moments nurturing your body and soul can help you unwind after a rambunctious day. The rhythm, comfort and quiet of a nighttime ritual send a powerful signal to our brain that sleep is near, helping us relax so that we fall asleep faster, and sleep sounder too. When combined with nourishing, aromatherapeutic products like Weleda’s, a simple ritual can be transformed into a warming sensory experience, one that nourishes our soul and our skin.

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Follow these tips to help establish your own pre-slumber send off.

can help ease tension from sitting in front of a computer all day. Try pouring a few drops of lavender essential oil on the shower floor for even more tension-taming power. Use a harmonizing cleanser, like Weleda’s Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash, to cleanse away the day while providing a calming aroma. The fragrance of roses is known to calm frazzled nerves. A couple of times a week, use a naturalbristle body brush before showering, which encourages toxin elimination from the skin. Weleda’s Birch Body Scrub, a gentle exfoliator, can also help you detox at the day’s end. “During the fall, there’s usually a need to exfoliate, renew and rehydrate,” says Yablonski. “Birch Body Scrub helps remove toxins and massaging it into skin stimulates circulation.” You can also create your own gentle exfoliator by combining organic cane sugar with your favorite body oil. Weleda’s Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil and Lavender Relaxing Body Oil are good ones to try.

F I R S T S TE P : T U N E O U T Tuning out is an

important first step in any soothing bedtime routine. Send your final e-mail of the day, shut down your computer and turn off the television. Make a cup of caffeine-free tea; just the simple act of getting up, boiling the water and steeping the leaves can send a calming vibe. Chamomile tea is valued for its soothing properties, and peppermint can help tame a tummy ache. You might want to light a soy-based candle or two, and use a lavender spray throughout your bedroom and on your linens. You can make your own by mixing equal parts lavender essential oil and water in a spray bottle. Incorporating relaxation techniques into a nightly routine can be helpful for those who have trouble sleeping. Try deep breathing: Sit for a few minutes with your eyes closed and try to make each breath deeper than the last. Another helpful technique is progressive muscle relaxation. Tense all of the muscles in your toes as tightly as you can, then completely relax. Work your way up from your feet to the top of your head.

S TE P T H R E E : N O U R I S H YO U R S K I N After

a bath or shower, take a few minutes to apply a hydrating body oil or lotion while your skin is still damp to lock in moisture.

S E CO N D S TE P : WAS H YO U R C A R E S AWAY Combined with aromatherapeutic products,

a long soak in the bathtub can be a welcome treat at the end of a long day. Jill Yablonski, a skin-care specialist at Elements Studio in Piermont, NY, uses Weleda products regularly in the services she offers her clients. She recommends calendula for a soothing soak because of its calming properties. Weleda Baby Calendula Cream Bath was created for babies, but the whole family can use it for hydration and relaxation. Don’t love a bath? No problem. A shower can also do wonders for a harried mind. Water falling on your neck and shoulders

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Massage the product into your skin in circular motions, starting at your feet and moving upwards toward your heart to help increase circulation. For extra-dry skin, Yablonski recommends first applying the Weleda Citrus, Sea Buckthorn, Wild Rose or Pomegranate Body Oil followed by one of the complementary Body Lotions, new in stores this September. Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion is a good choice for restoring the moisture of summer-worn skin. Last but not least, don’t forget your feet. Massage Weleda Foot Balm into your soles to refresh and soften skin, and wear white cotton socks to help it sink in deeply. Foot Balm contains myrrh extract, which possesses astringent properties, and soothing, anti-inflammatory calendula extract.

on yourself. Put on a pair of comfy, organic cotton pajamas, play some gentle music, read a book or write in a journal, even if it’s just one line a day. You might jot down something your grateful for or something memorable that happened during the day. Once you turn out the lights, envision your happy place — whether it’s a sandy tropical beach or the view from a high mountain peak. While our hectic lifestyles can make it challenging to perform a soothing nighttime routine like this one on a regular basis, Yablonski says doing so even occasionally is beneficial. “Most of us are wound up a little tight and always on the go,” she says. “It’s important to take time for yourself and unwind now and then.” Carrie Ruehlman and Lotus Abrams

STEP 4: FOCUS ON YOURSELF Once the focus

Learn more about the products in this article. Visit us online at weleda.com or call Weleda Customer Care at 800-241-1030.

on skin care is done, ready yourself for sleep by taking some time to concentrate

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W E L E D A E X T R AC T S

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FOR 91 YEARS… We have stayed true to our roots.

We are Weleda — cultivators of beauty and 100% certified natural baby and skin care products — for you. We believe beauty isn’t something that’s made in a lab; it’s something that’s cultivated right from the earth. Carefully. Lovingly. And certainly without pesticides or chemicals. Those things aren’t beautiful to us. Look through our ingredients and you will find flowers and herbs. Fruit extracts. Clays. Roots. Minerals. T hese come together in meaningful products that work with your body’s own natural vitality and ability to nurture and heal.

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