Amazing weekend at Natural Products Expo - West!

Happy little Friday, everyone! It's Thursday, and I'm so excited to share what happened at this year's 36th annual Natural Products Expo West and Engredea, the world's largest natural, organic and healthy products event. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

I started my day off incredibly early by attending yoga at 7:30 a.m., with Yogini expert and instructor,  Gina Caputo, and rocked out to incredible music, infused with good vibes from Michael Franti.

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)
As part of their #gotogether campaign, Kashi spoiled everyone after the yoga sesh with an all natural, vegan breakfast bowl filled with almond butter, coconut shavings, strawberries, carob chips and granola; and Gaiam offered free yoga mats and yoga sling at a first-come-first-serve, basis.

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

After stuffing my face and filling my belly with delicious eats, I was ready to power through the day. 

I entered into the ground floor of the Anaheim Convention Center, in Anaheim, California, and was blown away with the burst of positive energy, excitement and samples being passed my way. 

I stopped by the Honest Company booth and learned about their natural approach to baby care products that are non-toxic to both baby and moms. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Bodyceuticals Calendula launched their natural tattoo coverup, Ink pot. All you had to do was flash them your favorite work of self body art, and you were gifted with a sample.

Giovanni beauty was representing their hair care line by pampering attendees with a fun hair makeover. As one of my favorite brands to follow, I am currently swooning over their Blackberry and Coconut Milk repairing shampoo and conditioner. The team was so friendly upon introductions and offered me a few more travel size take-aways. What girl could resist?!

With too many aisles to count and hours into the show, I stopped by the Weleda skin care booth, and received a free hand massage by this lovely lady, Elizabeth.

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Ever heard of ear candling? Wally's Natural demonstrated the use of ear candles and explained their purpose to a small crowd of on-lookers amazed with this product. Ear candling is said to help calm and relax the nervous system by ways of warmth and a slight whistling sound that is actually a low air current pushing through the candle. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Staying within the natural line of beauty, I stopped by Gurunanda and learned about oil pulling and essential oils. Let me just share, that after a few inhalations of orange, harmony and eucalyptus, I was at ease. A great state-of-mind to be in with all the trade show's hustle and bustle. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Australian based product, Natralia handed out packets of their "happy little bodies" lotions and regular line of skin relieving lotions, foot balms and body washes. By far one of the best lotions to help soothe irritated skin due to eczema or other allergens. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

As I moved on to the third flood of the Convention Center, I was greeted with the nicest Italian guy, chef and owner of Russo's New York Pizzeria, Mr. Anthony Russo himself, who handed me a fresh slice of Russo's gluten-free pizza. HEAVEN and by far the best pizza I've ever tasted! A born New Yorker,  Anthony Russo moved to Texas and opened up several Italian pizzerias. Lucky Texans!

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Washing everything down was no hard chore with Clearly Kombucha!

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

And, look who greeted me during a quick pass through aisles, it's the Mama Chia mascot. 

Everything was so delicious, but I needed a quick taste of something sweet, and fast! Thank goodness for Nikki's Coconut Butter for saving the day! Nikki and husband Andrew, are so full of enthusiasm, you can't help but become re-energized when talking to them, and if you can grab a spoonful of the vanilla cake batter and dark chocolate fudge coconut butters while chatting, the butter, er better! 

The soy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free product comes in five delicious flavors and is a great snacking substitute to sugary options that are infused with fillers and hard to pronounce sweeteners. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

So Delicious, dairy-free products company had a cute set up and a line of their own, just outside their throwback to an ice-cream cart, delivering cold treats and servings of So Delicous vanilla almond milk and chocolate coconut milk. SO DELICIOUS, is so yummy!

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

I couldn't help but smile the entire time I was at the show. Everyone was just pumped to be there, to meet you and introduce their line of items, be it beauty, bamboo and organic fabrics, healing and wellness, toxic-free, dye-free, and vegan, the show was a hit!

In fact, the Natural Products Expo West and Engredea is the world's largest natural, organic and healthy products event, and this year hit a record-setting 6.9 percent growth rate. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

A HUGE thank you to New Hope Network for inviting me, and for hosting 77, 000 attendees in total. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

And with more than 3, 000 exhibitors, including 600 first-time exhibitors, I can only imagine what records you'll exceed to break next year! Until then,  I'll continue to spread the word about how this incredible expo is my favorite to attend each year!

Take a hike! (or two)

Need some thing to do this weekend? Try one of these two hiking trails located in the always beautiful and sunny, Southern California. 

The first trail is Eaton Canyon, a three an a half (3.5) mile hike round trip, located in Pasadena. You may bring your dog but a leash is required. 

The trail starts out smooth with minor hills to warm your legs up, but as the hike progresses, so does the amount of natural barriers. I wouldn't recommend bringing small children or babies in a carrier as the hike intensifies rather quickly. 

Measuring your agility is also important, as If it's below medium to high, I would sit this one out. 

Streams and rock gather throughout the hike, causing slippery foundations to cross through. If you can manage leaping through water, you'll enjoy the trail. 

Be sure to wear comfortable and stable hiking boots, as regular shoes may cause you to slip and potentially hurt yourself. 

A few hikers had to limp back to the parking lot due to busted knees and elbow scrapes. Not a great way to start your weekend. 

Nature will wow you on this trail, and if you can make it to the top, the waterfall at the end will make your accomplishments worth the journey. 

For more information on Eaton Canyon and trails, visit ECNCA.ORG 

The next trail is Claremont loop, a five mile (5.0) round trip, extra steep, curvy nature trail in the San Bernardino mountains. 

I will caution you, although this is a man-made trail, it is deeply nestled in the wilderness; a home to mountain lions, mule deer, snakes and much more. 

When you first start on the trail you'll have two options: left for a medium hike, right for a more strenuous one. Of course, we chose the right. 

Many people showed up to hike this trail: some beginners, others, well-seasoned professionals, runners, bicyclist  and fun-going nature lovers. Pets are welcome with an on-leash policy. 

Second pre-caution. Be courtesy of your pet's stamina, weight and age. Bring plenty of water for you and your pet and be prepared to carry your pet down the mountain if they should get hurt. We saw a few dogs struggle on this hike, one collapsed and another injured himself. Be mindful of your pet as they can't communicate properly. Assessing their needs are important on a trail like this.

Continuing up the mountain you'll find a few rest points to rejuvenate weary legs. 

I took full advantage of these.

That's not to say I didn't push through the tough terrain, because I did, and if you are looking for a great booty workout, this hike is for you. 

The views are also beautiful and the air is crisp. 

When hiking a long trail such as this one, it's easy to get lost in thought, but try not to as you'll need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Especially as you may come face to face with an animal.  

If you should come face to face with an animal, stand your ground but also be respectful of their turf. We stood tall and still. The main deer walked towards us to evaluate his own concern and our response. Once he saw that we were of no harm to him, two more deer walked towards us and down the side of the mountain away from us, which cleared our path to continue on. 

Amazing but a little scary. So again, as mentioned before, be well aware of your surroundings, watch out for your pets, yourself, and respect the wilderness and I guarantee you'll enjoy this hike. 

For more information visit, Claremont Wilderness Park

Happy trails to you! 

Hair Care ISSE 2016

"Welcome to the ISSE," I was greeted at the door.

The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) hosted the International Salon and Spa Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center, in Long Beach, California, and I had a front row ticket!

Recognized by Trade Show News Network as one of the industry’s leading shows, the ISSE was held on January 30-February 1, 2016, and housed over 400 global manufacturers, 150 education classes and rows upon rows of live hair demos, styling shears, and introductions to all the latest and greatest in the beauty and hair world.

Opportunities to watch four-time Overall Stylist Choice Awards winner Sam Villa explain a new hair cut technique, to studying the specific way master stylist from Sassoon angle a bob, we're just a couple of courses crowds were swarming to, at this year's expo.

Booth by booth, each company out-lavished the next with high displays of images and products.

Samples were given out to those that engaged in conversations with each brand's staff, and in some cases, won over a welcoming patron (me) to try new things, such as She hair extensions. 

Although, I had a blast getting my hair curled with She extension stylist, Bellami Hair (http://www.bellamihair.com), eventually won over my heart with their 100 percent, human remy hair. I purchased the 20 inch 160 gram, Bambina extensions in the color Ash brown to go with my newly colored locks. 

Moving on to other exhibitors, I noticed Malibu C, a vegan, cruelty-free hair line;

Agadir, who makes Argan oil hair treatments from shampoo to leave-in serums (their products smell amazing); 

And other exhibitors who shared their newest styling wands, barbering techniques, and faster blow-drying products, while beauty brands such as Crown Brushes (http://www.crownbrush.com) and Morphe, (http://www.morphebrushes.com) catered to skin care professionals.

Before wrapping up my visit, I had the exceptional honor of talking to, and snapping a selfie with Dinair founder, Dina Ousley. Known as the leading pioneer in airbrush makeup and cosmetology, Dina is humble, beautiful and welcoming to everyone she talks to. 

Thank you PBA for an incredibly welcoming and wonderful weekend of beauty. I look forward to seeing what you have in store for 2017!

Until next time! Xo