Many of us are set in our ways after a lifetime of reaching for the shampoo bottle or conditioner.  The question then becomes.... Are we clinging to bottles because it's a better product, or is it simply because that's what we've always done?

Here are some compelling reasons for making the change from using bottles, to bars.

1).  Isobel Olives Soap Shampoo Bars are Package/Plastic Free.
This is by far, the most important reason for making the change.  Here are some sobering statistics of drinking bottles alone. Just think that shampoo and conditioner bottles are in addition to these...

• A million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute and the number is projected to jump another 20% by 2021
• This equates to about 20,000 bottles being bought every second
• More than 480 billion plastic drinking bottles were sold in 2016 across the world, up from about 300 billion a decade ago. If placed end to end, these bottles would extend more than halfway to the sun. 
• By 2021 annual plastic bottles sold is projected to increase to 583.3 billion.
• Fewer than half of the bottles bought in 2016 were collected for recycling and just 7% of those collected were turned into new bottles. That means, approximately 93% of the 480 billion plastic water bottles sold in 2016 ended up in landfill or in the ocean.

When you start to think about it from the above perspective, the numbers are staggering. To Isobel Olives, it’s a no brainer that it’s better for the environment to make an effort to reduce packaging wherever possible.

While switching to shampoo bars may seem like it can barely make a dent in these numbers, as more people convert, more and more bottles will be diverted from landfills and our water ways. 

2. Isobel Olives Soap / Shampoo Bars are more Concentrated. 
The bars are more concentrated than traditional shampoos  so you can use less per application and they will last longer. This is especially true with proper care (don’t be letting your bars soak in water)!
Why do they last longer? Take a look at a bottle of shampoo in your shower or on the shelves in stores and the first ingredient you will see is water. This explains why you typically need a healthy dollop of product to get the performance you want. With our bars, it’s a lot more difficult to use too much, as all you need to do is place some lather in your hands then apply it to your hair. You will find it suds up right away, and leaves your hair lovely soft and clean.


3. Isobel Olives Soap / Shampoo Bars are great for travel.
Shampoo bars  are great to travel with as you don't have to worry about spillage or liquid restrictions. The bars are perfect for carry on baggage as they small and light-weight.  They are TSA approved, which means you don’t have to plan your packing around your hair care products. Best of all, they help prevent using the individual-sized shampoos and conditioners at your hotel, which goes back to point #1 about reducing packaging waste.


4. Isobel Olives Soap / Shampoo Bars are Space Savers.
Shampoo bars  are great for saving space. Being much smaller and more light-weight than their bottled counterparts relative to the number of washings you can get from the same amount of product, they help you save space. This comes in handy in a variety of situations, from keeping your bathroom cabinets decluttered, to packing for an upcoming trip. 


5.  Isobel Olives Shampoo Bars showcase minimalism at its finest.
The bars help create a minimalist aesthetic in your shower/bathroom by reducing the cluttered look of bottles. This significantly reduces the amount of clutter in the shower, and with less stuff, not only does it look better, it’s easier to clean; a win-win!


6. Isobel Olives Shampoo bars offer a low carbon footprint.
The overall carbon footprint is less with shampoo bars as these solid bars are more light-weight and compact than their bottled counterparts, so they require less space during transport relative to the same amount of washes with liquid shampoo. Roughly ten to fifteen transport trucks of liquid shampoo would be needed for one transport truck of solid shampoo bars to get the same number of washes.  We don't recommend you buying a truckload at once though - one or two for you, and some more for this years Christmas gifts. There - your Christmas shopping is complete already!

7. Isobel Olives Shampoo Bars are Multi-Purpose,
Shampoo bars can also be used for other purposes like washing your body, your pets in a pinch or your clothes while or camping or travelling. This means there's no need for bodywash either, so there's another plastic bottle saved from the landfill or ocean!

8. Isobel Olives Shampoo Bars leave hair feeling clean.
Our bars are a natural option, using 100% natural ingredients. They do not contain artificial fragrances that may cause skin irritation or allergies. They are also free of harmful chemicals  such as formaldehyde and propylene glycol.  These all natural ingredients are gentle of hair while still being effective. They naturally remove oil and grime to unveil shiny healthy hair .

Extra Virgin Olive Oil keeps it mild and gentle, Coconut Oil produces a creamy lather, and the Sweet Almond Oil conditions your hair. If you still need a conditioner, try 1/3 Apple Cider Vinegar with 2/3 water and spray your hair after your shower.


9. Isobel Olives Soap Shampoo Bars are Cost Effective.
Our bars are cost effective in  that they typically last  longer than shampoo in bottles. Standard sized shampoo bars can be used for approximately 80 washes which is more than standard shampoo bottle.  Since our bars contain nourishing ingredients you may also be able to skip the conditioner saving yourself even more money!
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Making your own spreadable butter will save you money and is also much healthier for you. Spreadable butter is generally made with Canola Oil, but making it with EVOO – extra virgin olive oil will give you much better health benefits from the included polyphenols.  Keep in mind that many spreadable butters say they use olive oil, however many of those claims are false. What they're actually using is adulterated olive oil that has very little of the taste or health benefits of the real thing. Use certified EVOO from Olives NZ – look for the red sticker on the bottle.
 
It’s easy to make your own – all you need is 100 grams of butter, 1/3 Cup of Isobel Olives Olive Oil, and a glass container (as it’s easier to clean afterwards).

​Soften the butter to room temperature, then cut them into pieces for easier mixing. Add your 1/3 cup (80mls) of EVOO and mix well with a fork or wooden spoon until completely blended, then refrigerate.  You can double or triple the proportions to make bigger amounts.  You can also use a small food processor or whisk but a wooden spoon is fine.’
 
Don’t melt the butter to speed up the process – heat changes the structure of food. You can spice it up and add variations – salt, lemon, fresh herbs, garlic – the sky is the limit.

Come meet us at the Marlborough Farmers Market!Every Sunday in Blenheim, Isobel Olives has a stall at the Marlborough Farmers Market. You can come taste, and fall in love with our locally produced extra virgin olive oil made with genuine Marlborough olives!

I have Three types of olive oil to choose from, including a rare speciality Koroneiki oil, as well as a Healing Balm.  Bring a bottle and fill your own from our bulk oil.
​
Wondering about how to buy extra virgin olive oil? We can tell you all about making olive oil, how it was produced locally at the Marlborough olive press and even recipes for cooking!

Just ask for Chris!

See you this Sunday.

Chris Piper
Isobel Olives
Fresh Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Is your Extra Virgin Olive Oil in your kitchen in a dark bottle, or a clear glass bottle?

Do you keep it on hand on the bench or tucked away in a dark cupboard?

Is your Extra Virgin Olive Oil Fresh or has it gone off?

According to David Lewis’s latest article from Kitchen Ambition, experts say that rancid olive oil is common in American Kitchens.  This would most likely be true in New Zealand kitchens as well, particularly because many of the cheaper supermarket olive oils are stored in clear glass jars, and have probably been shipped by sea through the tropics to get to New Zealand. We have no idea how long they were stored before being shipped, no idea how long they took to get here, and no idea  how long they have been on the supermarket shelves before arriving in your pantry.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil needs to be stored properly in Dark Bottles, away from heat and light to maintain it’s freshness. A harvest date should be clearly shown on the bottle, and the oil should be used up within 2 years of that date. You should look for the Red Sticker from Olives New Zealand which tells you that it’s definitely Extra Virgin Olive Oil for that peace of mind that you are getting only the best quality.

David Lewis’s article explains how to tell if the extra virgin olive oil has gone bad by testing it in a few steps...

“First, pour 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil into a small container like a dish or bowl. Smell deeply from 4” to 6” above the dish. Fresh olive oil should smell like ripe olives and perhaps slightly bitter, peppery, or grassy. Rancid oil is often characterized by the smell of crayons, putty, glue, fermented fruit, or even old fish. These are derived from spoiled fats. 

Next, taste a small amount of the oil and let it roll across the surface of your tongue. If there is rancidity then you are likely to taste crayon and old peanut flavours in the sample. You may also recognize a sensation of greasy residue in your mouth. 

Any bitterness you may encounter when tasting the oil is actually considered a positive characteristic, indicating freshness. Bitter oils with sharp or fruity flavours are highly regarded by industry professionals. “

Lastly – Extra Virgin Olive Oil that has gone off,  means that all the health benefits will have been lost from the oil.

The best way to make sure you are getting good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, is to buy local,  and NZ produced. Check out your local farmers market, or simply pick up a bottle online from Isobel Olives.

Isobel Olives Extra Virgin Olive Oil is stored in stainless steel tanks with a layer of argon gas on top to prevent oxidation and stored at around 16-18 degrees. It is certified to ensure quality and has a best by of 2 years and bottled in dark glass bottles.

Aside from Sun protection, moisturiser is one of the most important elements of any skincare routines.  The skin is the biggest organ in your body and organs need water. Moisturiser just doesn’t add water back into your skin, but it traps the water you already have in there, plumps it up and protects it.
 
There’s nothing worse than dry skin.  I live for that daily moment where I can smear on moisturiser and feel that instant relief from that itchy tight feeling.  Isobel Olives Healing balm works really well for me, what was once flaky snake skin is now soft and smooth. The healing balm is so rich and I love that it comes in a jar. 
 
What makes the formula of Isobel Olives healing balm so great is just how rich it is. A little goes a long way. A pea sized dab is enough to deliver a creamy hydration to your entire face or hands, or wherever you need it. It slowly melts into the skin without feeling sticky or tacky. That’s in part to the blend of Olive Oil which delivers the ingredients into your skin. The ingredients are wonderfully New Zealand and include Manuka Honey and our natives Kawakawa and Totara..
 
This healing balm has never left my skin slick or greasy, even when I overdose on it, which is kind of a miracle.  If I’m using it on my face, my makeup goes on smoother and I don't have nasty dry patches pop-up throughout the day. I also really love the fact it is unscented. It doesn’t interfere with any other fragrance I may use and it makes the whole moisturizing experience a little more decadent without feeling perfume-y. I've been using this cream every day for more than a month, and it's quickly become my favourite moisturiser.  I even smear it all over my hands, and they are no longer like snake skin. It's just that good.

​I recently stayed with some friends of mine. As a thank you for having me, I took them an Isobel Olives 500ml Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil. They were very thankful and pleased with the gift, and I hope I taught them something.  The conversation went like this…

Friends: We can’t cook with this as it’s olive Oil?
Me:  Yes you can – domestic cooking rarely reaches the smoke point of Olive Oil
Friends: Well the olive oil we use reaches that smoke point very quickly.
Me: Is it extra virgin Olive oil?
Friends: Yes – look.

They brought out a bottle of Olivani Extra Virgin Olive Oil bought at the local supermarket from their cupboard. I pointed out the label may be Extra Virgin Olive Oil, but it has no certification with Olives New Zealand. The Oil probably came from overseas, in which case other oils may have been added to it, or it might be passed off as an Extra Virgin Olive Oil, but in fact could be a lesser Virgin Olive oil.  This is a very common practice, particularly in Italy. Further it was stored in a clear glass jar so as light could get in, the oil would break down in quality very quickly.

My friends started reading the label. Produced in Auckland, but nothing about where the oil comes from, nothing on a harvest date, No best buy date. Nothing. That was a huge warning sign that it is really not Extra Virgin Olive Oil despite claiming that on the label.

This is really the scandal about Olive Oil buying in New Zealand. There is a huge investigation going on in Italy at the moment about Fake Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

https://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/13/italys-slippery-extra-virgin-olive-oil-scandal.html

Yes you can pick up cheap Olive Oil in the Supermarket, but it will often will not be the real deal.

Always look for the Olives New Zealand Mark of Integrity when you are buying Olive Oil. This ensures you are really buying true Extra Virgin Olive Oil made here in New Zealand. These oils go through a strict regulation process so you know you are getting top quality. Always look for a Harvest Date and a Best Buy date. Buy fresh, and use your oil up, don’t let it sit around forever. Always buy your Oil in a dark bottle where light can’t get in and degrade the oil.

​And use it for everything. Baste that roast chicken and roast vegetables. Add it to soups and stocks, make wonderful salad dressings, pour it on your toast, use it as a dip with fresh bread.  You’ll be doing your body a favour as it’s full of good health benefits.

Every Sunday in Blenheim, Isobel Olives has a stall at the Marlborough Farmers Market. You can come taste, and fall in love with our locally produced extra virgin olive oil made with genuine Marlborough olives!

We have Four types of olive oil to choose from, including a rare speciality Koroneiki oil, as well as a Healing Balm

Wondering about how to buy extra virgin olive oil? We can tell you all about making olive oil, how it was produced locally at the Marlborough olive press and even recipes for cooking!

Just ask for Chris!

See you this Sunday.

Chris Piper
Isobel Olives
Fresh Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Let’s cut to the chase, you’re here because you want to know about the health benefits of Koroneiki olive oil. So let’s get into it: ​

If you’re concerned about skin health, or repetitive outbreak of acne, EVOO can be your best friend. Apply Koroneiki olive oil directly to the skin surface to create a moisture locking barrier and keep your skin looking elastic and youthful. ​

Enjoy with an olive oil bullet proof coffee. ​

​
​Worried about fake EVOO? Check out this blog. ​

​Needing to shed a few kilo’s and wanting to be healthy, I started doing the Keto Diet which is very popular at the moment.  I joined the Keto New Zealand Facebook Group and am astounded at the kilo’s that have been lost following this simple lifestyle.  Keto stands for high fat, low carb. Basically, one flips the current food pyramid upside down, and so instead of Carbs being on the bottom that one eats the most of, it’s at the top. 

The most important part of the Keto diet is healthy fats and oils as these keep the hunger away and helps put you into ketosis, a state where you burn your existing fat rather than the ones you eat.
One of the questions that often appears on the group is – which oils do you use for the keto Diet? My answer is always. Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Simply because of the health benefits that Extra Virgin Olive Oil can give that no other Oil has. Many other oils are high in saturated fats, but not Extra Virgin Olive Oil which is very low in saturated fats. It's the saturated fats that contributes to heart disease.
The Benefits are many and if you’re on a high fat diet, one of the things you need to watch for is your cholesterol levels, so what better oil to use than Extra Virgin Olive oil as it protects your heart from heart disease by helping reduce harmful cholesterol levels. That’s one of my major reasons for choosing a good quality Extra Virgin, especially since heart disease runs in our family, with my brother having to have a triple bypass at the age of 45.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil also helps lower Blood Pressure and minimises clotting in the blood stream. Strokes are one of the major killers in New Zealand, second to Heart Disease.
It’s a source of Vitamins E, A and K, and has anti-inflammatory properties due to the Oleocanthal which has similar effects to Ibruprofen.   I know I’d rather take a few teaspoons of olive oil than a painkiller! It also has high polyphenol levels that fight against cancer.
The Keto diet has been found to cure Type 2 diabetes, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil also benefits non insulin dependent diabetics because it’s a monounsaturated fat.  I’m all for this too, as my father got diabetes at 50, so that’s in my genes as well.

To see a more indepth review of the health benefits, take a peek at the video below!

Scientific research continues to discover many health benefits of Extra Virgin Olive oil. These include the following...
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• Cholesterol free and helps to reduce harmful cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of heart disease.
• Natural source of Vitamins E,  A and K.
• Minimise clotting in the blood stream and it also helps lower blood pressure
• Excellent source of antioxidants that fight against 'free radicals' which have been linked with cancer.
• Found to reduce oxidative damage to DNA which may be a factor in preventing cancer.
• Benefits non-insulin dependent diabetics because it's a monounsaturated fat.
• Beneficial for brain function due to naturally occurring fatty acids and omegas.
• Oleocanthal in olive oil has been found to have the same anti-inflammatory response of Ibuprofen.
• Increased consumption has been linked to a decreased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
• Oleic acid has been found to be effective against breast, colon and prostate cancer cells.
• Elderly people who consume olive oil daily have fewer strokes than those who do not.
• Builds bones

So pick up a bottle of good health and enjoy!