January News in Brief:

WEBSITE UPDATE
~ My website is preparing for an update thanks to the generosity of Alan Page of www.evidanceradio.com
.
Look forward to 6 clear categories in my Store and pictures of products showing up on the store pages. If you have any suggestions, let me know with no expectation!

PROVINCE APOTHECARY
~ Congratulations to Julie on the launching of her exquisite perfumery and aroma facial studio. http://www.facebook.com/province.apothecary 1440 A Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON. (647) 857-2062

HOLY COWABANGA
~ I am restoring myself following my busiest November and December! Thanks for all the support, patience and patron/matronage/sisterhood/brotherhood.

COMPASSION + MAD SKILLS = MAGIC
~ Thanks to the magick of Tarek Bibi, my hypnotherapy teacher and mentor, I am resolved to simplify my business and deepen my work, my head and my heart. Contact him for a free 15 min Energy Scan! Call 647-340-5774.

SIMPLIFYING

I have started to change slow selling products from "in stock" to Special Order. Special Orders will be sourced the same as when they were in stock and what you order will come in in a week or two. I've already figured out that I need to ask for pre payment, too!

I am bringing in new fair trade and social enterprise essential oils, ingredients and products. I am busy sourcing cocoa butter from a new supplier. I am expecting more of my "top grade" social enterprise essential oils any day now. And I am building on a new relationship with a social enterprise supplier in Toronto. Look for new true hydrosols to replace the flower waters I have sold.

MMM EDIBLE OILS

I am in the process of "converting" the oils I offer to edible food grade first cold and expeller pressed oils in glass bottles. I've sourced coconut and hemp seed oils locally, and am *still* in the application process with the Ontario Natural Food Cooperative to bring in the most excellent local brand, La Maison Orphee from Quebec, Canada.

THE DREADED RESOLUTIONS
Goals for 2013 *gulp*:
1. Simplify my website.
2. Simplify my product line.
3. Develop tooth serum and roll on deodorant for Raindance.
4. Promote bring-your-own packaging, returning and refilling.
5. Filling workshops and promoting them with less strain and uncertainty.
6. Develop win-win apprenticeship relationships with volunteers.
7. Complete Magical Herbalism diploma.
8. Create a client survey-feedback system.
9. Create and deliver Certificates of Participation.

THE WISHABLES

Would be nice for 2013:
* Source plastic free packaging, finding jars with metal screw on caps for instance.
* Develop a You Tube DIY Channel, collecting videos I've done and doing more! Perhaps a show! Perhaps a documentary!
* Seek accreditation for my school from RMTs and Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners.

NEW AND DELECTABLE

Calendula officinalis wild crafted Marigold Flowers Infused in Certified Organically Grown Flax Seed Oil Linum usitatissimum

Use this powerful healing agent to soothe skin irritations such as scrapes, dryness, diaper rashes, sunburns... even on sensitive skin.

Flax Seed oil is rich in anti ageing anti oxidants and essential fatty acids.

I infused hand picked whole calendula flowers into vitamine & mineral rich raw flax seed oil.

* NEW:
~ Tempting three Packs of Tub Truffles: Cocoa Mint and Cocoa Rose $3 http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/60 Spend $50 and get a pack free!

~ Soaps in packs of two 40g+ $5: Wintergreen Zinc snow flakes, Almond Butter plain cupcakes, Cypress Shea Celtic Knot design, coffee scrub hands design. Single: Dirty Hippie marijuana leaf design 100+g $6, Rose heart shaped 160+g $8.
~ Ripe Shea butter (handmade, coop and So AWESOME!)

December News in Brief:

* Anarres' Classic Cocoa Creams now at El Cafecito Cafe, a Four Star fair trade coffee shop at the corner of Bloor St W and Westmoreland. http://www.blogto.com/cafes/el-cafecito-toronto

*Bulk bins are now set up at Anarres with:
~ soap nuts,
~ emulsifying vegetable wax,
~ citric acid,
~ natural soda,
~ Dead Sea salts,
~ Himalayan pink rock salt,
~ zinc oxide,
~ epsom salts...

* NEW:
~ Tempting three Packs of Tub Truffles: Cocoa Mint and Cocoa Rose $3 http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/60

~ Soaps in packs of two 40g+ $5: Wintergreen Zinc snow flakes, Almond Butter plain cupcakes, Cypress Shea Celtic Knot design, coffee scrub hands design. Single: Dirty Hippie marijuana leaf design 100+g $6, Rose heart shaped 160+g $8.
~ Ripe Shea butter (handmade, coop and So AWESOME!)

Coming this week: fresh from Tan's childhood home in VietNam: coconut oil, coconut butter and coconut flour in glass jars.

* Viktor of Grassroots TV and I recorded a bath and massage oil instructional video here: http://youtu.be/j-nrPzoiJRY Apron made by my brilliant sister Erica TF. Want to record a DIY session? Just contact me - I'm keen!

* Anarres' workshoppers raised $390 for Women's Healthy Environments Network.

* I am "converting" the oils I offer to edible food grade first cold and expeller pressed oils in glass bottles. I've sourced coconut and hemp seed oils locally, and am in the application process with the Ontario Natural Food Cooperative to bring in the most excellent local brand, La Maison Orphee from Quebec, Canada. In the meantime, I am offering many oils at clearance 30% off prices, and others as Special Order (1 week) only. Please be patient with me while I bring you the best oils for your body inside and out.

http://maisonorphee.com/en/

Anarres Helped Dancers from Toronto Work With Dancers From Burkina Faso

Kemi Contemporary Dance projects held a fundraiser on November 20th and I contributed a Gift Basket of Anarres Products with African origins.

In addition to producing dance works, Artistic Director Jennifer Dallas has fostered a relationship with a number of African dancers and companies. Several members of the company spent time in Burkina Faso last summer teaching and exploring choreographic process with 12 West African female dancers as part of a project entitled Project Engagement Féminin. This was done without the assistance of government grants. Please also see our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/KemiProjects

Anarres Helped Raise $3,300!
I donated a Gift Basket of Anarres unisex goodies to Bowl-For-Change.
Here is a thank you note from Jenice, the organizer:

Hi Tracey,

Just wanted to say thank you again for your generous donation. The event raised $3300 towards Women's Healthy Environments Network.

I got a lot of positive comments about the prizes this year! I know my friends (non-greenies) were glad to learn about safer alternatives. I have thanked you again on my site - check it out when you have a moment: http://www.jeniselee.com/bowl-for-change.html

Thanks again, Tracey!

Cheers.

Jenise Lee, BASc., MBA

Thanks to Julie and Jan, I will have bulk bins soon!
Client, volunteer and aroma facial therapist extra ordinaire has gifted me bulk bins and dispensers originally gifted to her by our teacher, Jan Benham. Jan had these created for The Armashoppe, which has now moved to the Netherlands! Lucky for me & you, We will now have easier access to:
natural soda
citric acid
epsom salts
dead sea salts
bees wax
vegetable wax
...and more!

Here's my inspirational friend Beth of MyPlasticFreeLife using a bulk bin. Here practical and easy to read comprehensive book Plastic Freeis available BESIDE the bulk bins at Anarres!

Shocking EBay Store!
I am now selling replacement parts for Stefani water filtres (taps, floats), the ceramic filtering "candle" cartridges, and natural contraception on eBay. Why? Because it's great promotion, and Google Ads cost me a resented percentage of my sales. It's easy for me to pack up ready made products and post them. I use all reused/repurposed packaging. I have a short attention span. It's very immediately satisfying compared to spending 3 hours making lotion base that will be dispensed over weeks.

I have sold out of Stefani water crocks. I bought out the Stefani supplier in Canada. I have many many many taps and floats. And my clients who've bought Stefani water crocks will never be left without a local supplier.

All that being said, you never need to visit my eBay store because my prices are lower to you, my existing clients. Contragel for you Yay us!

New Fall Hours http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/3 Because I'll only have a six year old to take to swimming lessons and ballet classes once!

Back in stock! Bathroom Tissue wrapped in paper!
One roll equals 4 dollar store rolls. I sell these close to cost on behalf of our trees and water. I'd love it if you stocked up now since I just got 96 of them in! http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/1289

Back in stock! Red Recycled Paper Gift Bags!
Reuse it a lot - recycle it when it's caput! Quickly package multiple gifts or purchases in these heavy duty bags. Square-bottom bags stand alone for convenient packaging. Strong twisted paper handles make purchases easy to carry. I'd love it if you stocked up now since I just got 250 of them in! http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/1290

What Tracey Has Decided To Do With Anarres in 2012

I spent 3 glorious weeks away
with mountains, ocean and desert,
alone and with friends and family...
and shopping for Burning Man with Beth Terry blogger of My Plastic Free Life and author of... http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/1502
*insert gratuitous link and picture here*

http://myplasticfreelife.com/2012/08/my-plastic-free-burning-man-adventure/

UPDATE:

FemCap, Contragel Green and Cycle Beads will be marketed locally starting soon!

I am ramping up my sales of natural contraception by increasing my promotion of the Fem Cap, Contragel Green and introducing Cycle Beads in 3 mauve, amber and copper http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/1447 . I will be making NaturalContraception.ca more attractive and figuring out my redirects for www.FemCap.info www.CycleBeads.info and www.Contragel.info If you have web and Drupal expertise and would like to barter hour for hour, please email AnarresHealth AT gmail.com .

It seems to me that Anarres Natural Health is at a cross roads. Opportunities knock constantly. I can do more of this, but need to do less of that, or burn out trying to do it all.
I could expand again. I could decide based on what I want my work to be.
So I made some decisions for 2012:

1. I am to fill my workshops so that I can earn more and scramble less. I am looking for new, low cost, low energy ways to fill my workshops - got any ideas?

2. I aim to give more workshops for groups, businesses, clubs and as promotion. Let me know if you can think of a group that would appreciate a workshop.

3. I will continue to supply my loyal stores, but will not expand - you will still find Anarres at www.GoodCatch.ca , www.KarmaCoop.org , TheHermitsLamp.com , www.RaindanceCosmetics.ca . Be sure to ask these stores to carry the Anarres products you miss!

4. I will be let less successful relationships and products go. If you love an Anarres product, let me know by ordering it!

5. I will offer apprenticeships and formalize the rewards that my helpers receive. I am still mulling the options and suggestions over. Your ideas are welcome!

6. I will repair systems that are inefficient and create new ones that serve me well. Thanks toLinda, I've been able to exchange workshop time forv admin help. Now if only I could find a Drupal programmer who wants to barter...

7. I will expand my social enterprise suppliers and offerings, and look for ways to change or close relationships with less ethically inspired suppliers. For instance, I've replaced a Certified Organically Grown lavender Bulgarian with another from a social enterprise. I am discontinuing many items packaged irredeemably in plastic, but I will make sure that I stock better, more ethical items.

8. Wherever possible, I will choose the simpler, clearer, less cluttered path. If I can't remember what my specials are, for instance, how can I expect you to? If it takes me weeks to write a monthly newsletter, shouldn't I just make shorter simpler ones and get them out on time? That sort of thing...

9. and last but not least... 2012's crazy ambition.... My own cable show about making your own stuff!