Post by Sue Capella
Organic Radish Soap
When Seed Bank shoppers wait in line at the checkout counter, many are drawn to pick up one of the vegetable soaps on display beneath and give it a sniff. They often even add a bar or two to their purchase.
These produce inspired soaps containing certified organic ingredients are such popular sellers that we decided to talk to their creators and share the story behind such gardener friendly “flavors” as carrot, radish, and cucumber.
What we discovered is that the 5 ounce bars actually get their natural vegetable garden essences from certified organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs grown on a 500 acre beef ranch in Nicasio.
There’s a lot of mooing going on as grass fed cows roam the hills of this west Marin property called Cow Track Ranch, but amongst the blond landscape, green oasises thrive—two acres in all—where organic farmer Liz Daniels raises the produce and herbs that find their way into the Gourmet Garden Soap that’s become a Seed Bank favorite.
Her soaps are actually made with the “leftovers,” says Liz, who owns the ranch with husband, Bruce, a large animal veterinarian. “That way nothing goes to waste.”
Liz Daniels Weeding Lettuce in Her Organic Garden
What Liz means is that the certified organic produce and herbs she raises have other purposes. Pounds and pounds go to Marin Organic’s school lunch program, and the rest of her just picked veggies, fruit, and herbs go to local restaurants and fine food purveyors, including Point Reyes’ Stellina, Café Reyes, and Cowgirl Creamery as well as a west Marin deli and whole food market.
Liz’s favorite thing about raising her crops—which makes for 12 hour days—is the satisfaction of feeding so many people, she says, about 2,000 a week.
The soap making idea came about when Moon Essence, a Petaluma salon, day spa and body and skin care product manufacturer, was making some wine scented soaps and Liz provided them with organically grown Zinfandel grapes for a Zin soap. “I said ‘why not carrot’,” she recalls. “They said ‘yes,’ and then it all just took on a life of its own.” Liz’s Gourmet Garden Soap line was born.
In addition to carrot, radish, and cucumber, there’s melon, rosemary, pear, lavender, even garlic—for the campers, she adds. It’s a natural mosquito repellent. Plum and peach are coming, and ladyfinger grape, an exotic grape variety.
Ted Giammona, owner of Moon Essence, where Liz’s Gourmet Garden Soaps are made, says that in a way her line has a seasonal aspect like a vegetable garden. For example, coming up with the fall harvest is a pumpkin soap.
Other flavors can be made year ‘round from produce that has been frozen, he adds, including pear, carrot, rosemary, and lavender.
In addition to being made of natural ingredients—like all the body and skin care products manufactured by Moon Essence—Liz’s line actually has the certified organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs (in a finely processed state) added right into the soap. Other ingredients include certified organic olive oil and coconut oil and purified distilled water and essential oil.
Remember to take a sniff the next time you’re at The Seed Bank’s checkout counter—if there are any bars left, that is.
You can find out more about Cow Track Ranch at www.cowtrack.net and about Petaluma’s Moon Essence Salon and Day Spa at www.moonessence.com.
Sue Capella is a Northern California garden writer, photographer, and artist. She can be reached suecapella@gmail.com.
