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The Paso Robles Lavender Festival

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Lavender is One of Our Best Loved Herbs

So many people in Paso Robles love it that they turned out in droves to the Second Annual Lavender Festival in the City Park on July 10, 2010. They came to learn more about the uses of lavender, to taste food and drink with lavender as an ingredient, to learn how to grow lavender, to buy a variety of lavender plants, and just to get out and have a good time. Even though I confess to growing a bit of lavender myself, I have never made the most of what I have. I grow it because it's drought-resistant and because it's lovely. It grows with mimimal attention. I was as eager as the rest who attended to learn more and enjoy the process.

There was so much to see and do that this lens will be like the hub of a wheel. I will send spokes out to more detailed lenses on selected vendors that deserve more attention than room permits in this lens. For now, though, let's take a preliminary look around.

The first few minutes at the lavender festival

Once I had gotten my free purple tote bag to collect my free and paid for goodies in, I turned left at the first row of vendors and started to look around . You will notice that some vendors don't have an obvious lavender connection, but that didn't make them any less interesting. The vendors in this video are pretty representative of the variety of vendors I saw: aritists, photographers, artisans, aromotherapists, lavender growers, organic farms, massage therapists, and food vendors. This is what I saw in my first minute or two.
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Richard Campas, Pencil Artist

This man amazed me .

He drew the pictures in that first booth you saw in the video. When I asked him how he got started, he said after he retired, he picked up a pencil and started to draw. When asked if he'd ever drawn before, he said he used to draw pictures when he was in the fourth grade. He never studied art or practiced during his high school or young adult years. But he pcked up the pencil again when looking for something to keep him busy after retirement.

Lavender is so much loved that it is a favorite theme of Zazzlers.

Let see what Zazzle shops have to offer in the way of lavender related products.
  • On the inside top, this card introduces some reasons why lavender is loved , but the bottom is left free for your personal mesage
    Blank card: Lavender card
    Blank card: Lavender by barbsbooks
    Browse Lavender Cards


    .
  • Lavender does not always grow alone. In home herb gardens such as mine, it often complements the colors and textures of other plants, as it does with this santolina. The top inside of this card describes the picture and the bottom inside is blank for your message
    Blank Card: Lavender with Santolina card
    Blank Card: Lavender with Santolina by barbsbooks
    Browse other Lavender Cards


    .
  • One use of lavender is to help people relax. Some people make pillow sachets of lavender to help them sleep better. This card, blank for your personal message, promotes this characteristic of lavender.
    Relax card
    Relax by Libby
    Design a personalized notecard on Zazzle
  • There are so many ways to photograph lavender! The creator of this blank card focused on the blooms alone.
    lavender card
    lavender by cardart
    Create a notecard with zazzle.com
  • The lavender in this blank card resembles the bundled lavender I saw at the festival and often see at a farmers market.
    Lavender in a Box card
    Lavender in a Box by suzanneknorr
    Make a notecard at zazzle
  • Can anything be more lovely than a whole field of growing lavender?
    Lavender Fields Forever Card card
    Lavender Fields Forever Card by PhotoJunkyGeno
    Shop for a different card online at zazzle
  • Here's a wheel barrow full of lavender, but the inside is empty for your message.
    Lavender Filled Wheelbarrow card
    Lavender Filled Wheelbarrow by christyporch
    Browse other Lavender Cards


  • Now Foods Organic Lavender Oil, 1 oz - $12.23

    Certified Organic Lavandula officinalis spp. Aromatherapeutic GC/IR Verified As one of the most popular and widely used aromatherapy essentials, the fresh scent and calming essence of organic lavender oil is versatile in many popular applications. NOW® Organic Lavender Oil is steam-distilled to retain high concentrations of Lavandula officinalis spp. About Lavender Essential Oil FAQ's Essential Oil Quality Essential Oil Production Which Lavender is Used to Product NOW Lavender Essential Oil?

The Cal Poly Plant Shop Booth

This was one of my favorite booths because the students of Cal poly San Luis Obispo were selling lots of varieties of lavender plants ready to take home. They were all labeled so I could use them to identify what I've got growing. Take a walk through their booth with me.
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Have you ever attended a lavender festival?

This was my first one. I really enjoyed it and I'm very glad I went. The lady in the picture is teaching onlookers how to make a lavender wand. She is one of the lavender "fairies" who were seen here and there throughout the event.

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Meet Lila of Central Coast Lavender

The person behind this lavender festival

I first saw Lila when I got to the end of a talk she was giving at the festival. I got there for some of the questions and answers on growing lavender. You will see a video of that later. When Lila was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a few years ago, she decided to use essential oils to help her stay on top of the disease so that it would not zap all her energy. With the help of her husband and father she started Central Coast Lavender Farm in Paso Robles in 2006, beginning with four acres of lavender plants.

With other local lavender growers, Lila was instrumental in forming the Central Coast Lavender Growers Association. That organization and the Paso Robles Main Street Association are behind the Lavender Festival.

As you can see by the picture I took in Lila's booth, she has gone from growing lavender to making the essential oils and using them in her other products. I bought some Ancient Olive Oil Healing Balm in her booth to try it.

You will want to read more of Lila's story and learn more about the Central Coast Lavender Farm on her web site. Visits to the the lavender farm can be arranged -- even outside the seasonal U-pick schedule and twice a year harvest celebrations. The web site has all the details on the activities and distilling demonstations that take place at Central Coast Lavender Farm. Check it out.

Links for More Information on Lavender

Growing Lavender
This article tells you what you need to know about growing lavender in your garden or in a pot.
University of Maryland Medical Center Discusses Medicinal Uses of Lavender
Some people may be more convinced of lavender's healing properites and uses if they hear about them from medical professionals.

Listen to Lila of Central Coast Lavender for yourself

In this vdeo she answers questions from the audience on growing lavender after she has finished a talk.
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Here's what you need to mail those lavender greeting cards.

Lavender postage stamp
Lavender postage by seashell2
View more Lavender stamp Postage

English Lavender stamp
English Lavender by phazxero
Browse Flower Postage

Lavender stamp
Lavender by DonnaGrayson_Photos
View all other custom postage stamps at zazzle

Do essential oils really have healing properties?

Some people claim to have been helped by using essential oils such as lavender oil to take away pain, heal skin disorders, and make headaches disappear. Others think there's nothng to the claims of medicinal value in essential oils. Are those who claim to have been helped merely experiencing a placebo effect? What is your opinion?

Do you believe essential oils from herbs such as lavender have healing properties?

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Yes. I think it makes sense that plants such as herbs have medicinal value.

Joan4 says:

of course. it makes perfect sense that we have everything we need in nature. I don't know as much about essential oils as I should, but I certainly would never deny their uses.

Posted October 16, 2010

OhMe says:

I would never doubt the possibility

Posted October 16, 2010

Nah. If people are helped it's probably because they believe the oils witl help them and their own mind does the healing.

CCGAL says:

While I adore the fragrance of flowers, I don't really think they can heal per se. I do know that they can help you relax, though, so they may assist your body's own natural healing ability.

Posted October 25, 2010

 

Lavender Essentials Oils

If you have decided you might like to test essential oils for yourself, you might consider trying this one.
Aura Cacia Essential Oil Lavender (Lavendula Augustifolia) 0.50 oz

Aura Cacia Essential Oil Lavender (Lavendula Augustifolia) 0.50 oz

Amazon Price: $6.50 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

The company that produces this essential lavender oil has a reputation for quality, and this product had the best reviews from among similar products at Amazon. Customers used it mostly to calm themselves down when they were stressed. One person used this as an inhaler to ward off panic attacks. Several people mentioned using it as a sleep aid, one stating she sprinkled a few drops on her pillow at night. The best way to find out if it works for you is to try it. Amazon's price is said to be quite competitive.

Spray Some Lavender on Your Pillow

Many people say that the scent of lavender helps them relax and sleep more easily. Why not try this spray to do the job?


Indigo Wild - Zum Zum Mist Aromatherapy Spray, Frankincense-Lavender, 4 fl oz - $8.80
Retail Price: $18.80
You Save: $10.00
from: Herbal Remedies

Meet Sue Torrey of Harmony in Templeton, California

This is her talk on how lavender and massage therapy help people feel better and how she, as a massage therapist, uses lavender in her pracice and for her own well being.
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Here's Sue Torrey giving a massage in her booth.

She offered at least three types of massages at the lavender festival right in her booth, with varying prices, some by the minute.
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What the bloggers say about lavender.

Many people firmly believe that essential oli of lavender has healing properties.
Five Key Tips for Healthy Business Travel
Lavender essential oil. A small bottle of lavender essential oil is in every one of my travel bags, including my zippered bag of liquids for the airplane! While most essential oils need to be diluted, lavender essential oil can be used neat ? simply ...
French value whiff of choice Tassie lavender
The incongruous setting only makes the venture being undertaken by the laidback research agronomist from small local firm Essential Oils of Tasmania even more intriguing. Surrounding Mr Smee is a paddock of dried-off bright-purple lavender, ...
Ask Eartha: Essential oils may be preferable to commercial scents
In contrast, the believed benefits of essential oils are far greater than just aromatherapy. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act describes that the FDA's jurisdiction does cover cosmetics. Regulations on beauty items, claiming to make you feel ...
Integrative Therapeutics introduces occasional anxiety solution in US
Integrative Therapeutics is introducing lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil indicated for occasional anxiety in the US. Lavela WS 1265, the clinically validated oil, has been shown to promote relaxation and calm nervousness with safety and ...
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Have you tried lavender in your cooking?

One thing the Lavender Festival offers is the opportunity to taste various lavender products. I tried the lavender lemonade, since it was a very hot day and I didn't feel much like eating. It was delicious. If you've ever had a yen to try cooking with lavender, you might want to start here.
Culinary Lavender 8 oz.

Culinary Lavender 8 oz.

Amazon Price: $23.79 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Europeans have used lavender in their cooking for years in everything from soups to desserts. This culinary quality lavender is 100% lavender flowers -- no additives or preservatives, so it's pure enough to use in your cooking.

Eating and Drinking Lavender.

During the Lavender Festival, the local restauants near the City Park outdid themselves in finding ways to make tasty treats and beverages usiing lavender. Attendees were, of course, encouraged to patronize these restaurants around the park and order the particular restaurant's lavendar specialites which were advertised in front of the various eateries. For those that wanted some quick energy or liquid refreshment, there was the Victorian Lavender Tasting Garden in the Park itself. I tried the lavender lemonade, which was very good, but also very small. I didn't see everything offered, but the lavender lemon bars and ice cream looked awfully good -- just not good for my weight loss plan. Others in the tasting garden were sampling them, however. These goodies were $2.00 each no matter what you chose.

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About Me

I love growing lavender, but I see now that I need to learn to use it more effectively. I intend to pick some a dry it this year and make some sachets to help me relax and sleep better.
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BarbRad

In my life I've been student, public library clerk, English teacher in public school, elementary teacher in private schools,card buyer for Logos Bookstore... more »

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All you need to know about growing and using lavender. 

The Lavender Garden: Beautiful Varieties to Grow and Gather

The Lavender Garden: Beautiful Varieties to Grow and Gather

by: Robert Kourik

Amazon Price: $12.61 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

This is on my wish list because it discusses the growing information for many specific varieties of lavender instead of just lavender in general. One can also learn about the history of lavender and its many uses. This got a five star rating from those who reviewed it for Amazon.

Can You Believe It? 

A Whole Cookbook Devoted to Lavender!

The Lavender Cookbook

The Lavender Cookbook

by: Sharon Shipley

Amazon Price: $10.18 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Are you ready for Lavender Chocolate Brownies? With over 90 recipes in this book, maybe it's time to try them, along with Grilled Lavender-Honey Chicken, Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms with Lavender Goat Cheese,, Taos Lavender Potato Soup, and Lavender Honey Custard Ice Cream. This cookbook got rave reviews from several Amazon customers, some of whom had met the author and sampled some of her recipes before buying the book. From Appetizers and Salads to Main Dishes and Desserts, you'll find out how to use lavender in recipes of all kinds, adding that special French touch many have mentioned. Many recipes are suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets.

Tidbits from Templeton 

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