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Lately, my weekly test vehicles have been a string of good looking and well-performing crossover SUV’s. The popularity of the crossover is attributed to their high seating which creates a better birds-eye view, plus the storage flexibility and overall seating convenience. Crossovers come in all sizes and shapes and are available from nearly every manufacturer. Needless to say, competition has become fierce and car companies are doing everything they can to get interested parties into dealerships to see their offerings. This review features the luxury compact submission from Acura – the 2016 RDX.

The RDX entered the field with the 2013 model and has received an update for 2016 including a new, V-6 motor and subtle styling improvements. The front and rear fascias have been reshaped and the back now includes LED taillights. The headlamps display a level of luxury with a string of five LED lights strung like a row of diamonds on a bracelet. The upside down, pentagon-shaped center grille creates a look of movement even while standing still. The fender arches are pronounced with flattened half circles that surround 18-inch wheels.

The 2016 Acura RDX is available as one trim level in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, along with three packages: AcuraWatch Plus ($1300), Technology ($3,700), and Advance ($6,650). The standard FWD base model has an MSRP of $36,310, while the AWD is $37,810. You can order the AcuraWatch Plus and the technology packages together if your wallet will allow! The AWD with intelligent control, as termed by Acura, has been returned in the 2016 models, sending more power to the rear wheels under acceleration for improved stability.

The cabin is comfortable and designed with a rich feel for both the eyes and touch. The left and right sides of the dash are arched like bird wings with the center body housing having one large screen for the entertainment center and one for the operational controls. The front seats conform to eight-way adjustability, while the rear seats are snug and more suitable for smaller people. Don’t forget, the RDX is a compact crossover.

The rear cargo compartment delivers 26.1 cubic feet with the rear seat up. Levers on both sides of the rear cargo compartment allow for easy flattening of the 60/40 split-second row seats to expand the rear storage area to 61.3 cubic feet. Four tie-downs placed at each corner allow you to securely anchor your contents in place. A large speaker provides great sound for those fun tailgate parties.

Power is generated from a 3.5-liter V-6 that generates 279 horsepower at 6,200 rpms and 252 foot pounds of torque at 4,900 rpms. The 3.5-L produces plenty of muscle both off the line and on the freeway. To improve fuel economy, three of the six cylinders smoothly deactivate under lighter loads without the drive ever knowing of the transition. The fuel economy ratings are 20/city and 29/highway for the FWD and 19/18 for the AWD. The V-6 is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential SportShift paddle shifters just in case you feel sporty.

Cool Features:

• Cylinder Deactivation
• Rear Cross Traffic Monitor
• Multi-View Rear Camera
• Acura Navigation System with 3D View

Standard safety features on the 2016 Acura RDX include multi-view rear camera with guidelines, advanced compatibility engineering body structure, dual-stage multiple-threshold front airbags, front side airbags, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, vehicle stability Assist™ with traction control and motion adaptive steering, ABS brakes and hill start assist. Optional safety items available with certain package levels are a forward collision-warning system, collision mitigation braking system™, lane departure warning, blind spot information system, and rear cross-traffic monitor system.

In Summary –The 2016 Acura RDX is a well-styled compact luxury crossover vehicle that is great for an individual, couple or starter family.The RDX delivers decent power and is available with many high-tech features we have come to expect from Acura. The ride is smooth and the handling is confident. If you find yourself in the market for a compact luxury crossover, then the RDX is worth a test drive and your consideration.

Specifications

2016 Acura RDX AWD Advanced

 

Base price:                  $43,420as driven: $44,340 (including destination & optional features)

Engine:                       3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC6-cylinder

Horsepower:             279 @ 6,200 RPM

Torque:                       252 @ 4,900 RPM

Transmission:            6-speed automatic

Drive:                          AWD Drive

Seating:                       5-passenger

Turning circle:           38.9 feet

Cargo space:              26.1 cubic feet

Curb weight:              3,774 pounds

Fuel capacity:             16 gallons

EPA mileage:             City 19/Hwy 28

Wheel Base:                105.7 inches

Warranty:                    4 years/50,000 miles powertrain limited

Also consider:             Audi Q5, BMW X3, Buick Envision, Cadillac SRX, Infiniti QX 50, Lexus RX,

Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Volvo XC60

 

Q. When and how far back can I trim my daisy bush without damaging it? It’s one of the “He-Loves-Me, He-Loves-Me-Not” Daisies. I’d like to keep it at its current height of about three feet.

A. Daisies are best pruned in between flushes of flowers or in the spring of the year. Unfortunately, they always seem to be in bud or bloom so there is no perfect time to prune them. Hence, I’d trim them when the majority of the flowers are spent, realizing that I’ll be sacrificing some of the next flush of flowers. Trim the growth with a pair of hand pruners or use an electric hedge shears. I’d cut back the herbaceous or green stems avoiding the old woody portions of the plant. Plants trimmed back to bare stems are unattractive looking, and the pruning doesn’t encourage the lateral shoots. To keep it at three feet, you’ll need to prune it several times each year. Another option is not to prune it at all.  Instead, enjoy the endless flowers and when the plant out grows its space, remove it and replace it with a new plant. Daisy plants are not that expensive and grow back quickly.

Note: Marguerite Daisy or Euryops are sometimes referred to as the “He-Loves-Me, He-Loves-Me-Not Daisy. It gets its name from a story of a day dreaming young girl’s method of determining whether the boy in her dream is the love of her life. She would pick a flower and remove each petal saying, “He-Loves-Me, He-Loves-Me-Not,” alternating the phrase between each petal. The answer lies with the last Daisy petal. I’m not so sure it’s used very often today as this was from a more innocent times.

Q. Why are my New Guinea Impatiens disappearing overnight? Something is cutting them off at the base and carrying them away, as I find no evidence of the plants or any part of them anywhere around.

A. I’d strongly suspect roof rats. Roof Rats obtain much of their water requirement from their food or from free water such as sprinklers. Hence, they’re very fond of fruit, especially oranges and tomatoes as they mature. Water restriction have curved their water supply so they’re forging on other plants aka, New Guinea Impatiens. New Guinea’s are a herbaceous and succulent plant so they’re a perfect target. Roof rats generally begin searching for food shortly after sunset. These rats may cache or hoard considerable amounts of solid food, which they will eat later. These food caches may be located in a variety of other hiding places, generally near their nests. they’re very mobile, so they’re a tough problem to control outdoors. Traps would work but not baits as there are too many household pets that could be harmed. My suggestion is to move on and replant with something else.

Q. I purchased a bag of pure Mesquite charcoal for barbecuing. Can you tell me the origin of Mesquite?

A. Mesquite is a very interesting large shrub or small tree that is indigenous to the southwest and the desert areas. There are three common species of the Mesquite: Honey Mesquite (Proposes gladiolas), Screwbean Mesquite (Proposes pubescens) and Velvet Mesquite (Proposes velutina). Mesquite grows to forty feet high and is deciduous. It’s a member of the pea family and has the characteristic bean pods which have long been used by humans, wildlife and livestock as a food source. It is estimated that over seventy-five percent of a Coyote’s diet in late summer is from the mesquite beans. Native Americans relied on the Mesquite pod as a dietary staple from which they made tea, syrup and a ground meal called Pinole. They also used the bark for basketry, fabrics and medicine. A favorite of bees and other insects, the Mesquite flowers has a honey, fragrance. Mesquite has a true tap root which can go down in the soil forty feet deep looking for moisture. The tap root can be larger in diameter than its truck. It is the tap root that is used for firewood while the above ground parts are used for furniture or tool handles. The density of its wood fibers makes Mesquite an extremely hardwood. It’s a favorite with those who like to grill because the density causes Mesquite to burn at temperatures higher than most other charcoals. It also burns slowly and is smokeless sealing in the natural juices as the meat cooks.

In 2001, the American Film Institute named Humphrey Bogart as the greatest film star of the 20th Century, ahead of Cary Grant, John Wayne and James Stewart. Bogart was only a star for a few years; from 1940 to his death in 1956. Before that he was a supporting actor who specialized in getting shot by James Cagney or Edward G. Robinson. His roles were distinctive and his name in his best movies we all know (or do we?). Let’s see.

1. His first break came in 1936’s “Petrified Forest.” He plays an escaped convict who holds the stars of the movie cap rives in a remote diner. What was his name?

2. His big break came in 1940’s “High Sierra.” He plays an ex con known to the public as Mad Dog, who meets his demise on Mount Whitney. What was his name?

3. In 1941, Bogie got one of his most famous roles in “The Maltese Falcon,” as a private eye in one of the classic films noir. What was his name?

4. His most famous movie, “Casablanca,” followed in 1943. He played the owner of Rick’s American Cafe in that Moroccan town. What was Rick’s last name?

5. In 1948, Bogie starred in my favorite movie “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.” Although Walter Huston steals the movie, Bogie does great job as the vagrant who goes mad with gold fever. What was his name, including middle initial?

6. Bogie finally won an Oscar in 1951 playing a drunken boat captain opposite Katharine Hepburn in “The African Queen.” What was his name in this classic?

In a previous article entitled “There is no room for ego in medicine,” I pointed out the danger the patient faces when the doctor thoughts are owned by his ego. One example is when I was helping a cancer patient with the miseries of Chemo, two of which are depression and loss of appetite; I suggested that she ask her doctor to prescribe a substance that had proven to counteract these effects. His answer was that it was “not part of his protocol.”  I will leave the conclusion to you.

I recently cured a lady of severe pain with holistic, non drug methods only to have the lady’s physician put down my methods, handing her a prescription for a drug with many side effects, even though she was pain free. What could possibly cause this kind of attitude?

In my book WHY? The question that could save your life, my goal is to get the reader on the path of being proactive in their healthcare. One chapter attempts to explain this kind of behavior, explaining the difference between left and right brain thinking, and why doctors tend to be very left brain dominant.

The left brain is where memorized information is kept. The right brain is your imagination and the source of new information. Our present educational system tends to teach by memorization of current knowledge, which much of the time will change quite soon after, especially when that knowledge is influenced by the instructor’s opinions. In the case of foreign language, you don’t need to memorize verb tenses to communicate quite well in Mexico or France. They will come as you talk.

Too much memorization, without allowing challenges, can almost shut off the right brain, especially when one goes into graduate level education, such as medical school.  This explains why so many entrepreneurs, among them Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, became successful without degrees.  Progress comes from imagination, not memorization. Major symptoms of left brain dominance are the “know it all” and the egotist. They can’t get “outside the box” to see their lack of understanding. They own the box and defend it.

It will take several articles to demonstrate the incredible damage and slowing of progress that has been caused by doctors and scientists, who, once they become recognized, violently defend their position and work to destroy and degrade anyone who challenges them.  If it is position that results in more money, throw in greed, which multiplies ego.

Truly brilliant people are quite aware of how little they know, in fact, the height of brilliance is realizing you don’t even know what you don’t know—then the mind is truly free to take in new information. This kind of humility is essential to true scientific research.

 

 

 

 

 

The Rotator Cuff muscles (four muscles in total) are the primary support structures for the shoulder. Therefore, even minor dysfunction associated with these muscles can create pain and decreased performance of everyday tasks. A Rotator Cuff injury can be caused by many everyday activities. These activities include traumatic events (e.g. fall on an outstretched arm, “yanking” of the arm), repetitive motion (e.g. throwing a ball, carrying children) and chronic improper posture (e.g. operating a computer, driving).

There are three major types of Rotator Cuff injuries that we treat successfully:

1. Rotator Cuff Muscle Tears: This is a partial tear of one or more of the four Rotator Cuff muscles. Rotator Cuff muscle tears are often accompanied by deep achy pain in the shoulder and arm weakness.
2. Tendonitis: Tendons are at the ends of each muscle and attach the muscles to the bones they move. When there is inflammation of these tendons it is called Tendonitis. The symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tendonitis are often trigger point pain over the tendon accompanied by deep, achy pain in the shoulder and arm weakness.
3. Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome: Chronic injury of the Rotator Cuff can lead to a “pinching” of the nerves passing through the shoulder. This is commonly referred to as a Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Impingement. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling or sharp, shooting pain into the arm or hand.

HOW DO I HEAL MY SHOULDER PAIN?

The most common forms of medical treatment for Rotator Cuff injuries are anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and surgery. Although meds and injections may reduce the severity of pain associated with rotator cuff dysfunction, they are not a long-term solution and may do more bodily harm than good in the long run. Surgery is a last resort and should only be used if there is irreparable damage to the shoulder that cannot be handled with proper rehabilitation.

First:  Heal the Damaged Tissue

Ending the pain caused by a Rotator Cuff injury requires stopping the cycle of inflammation that is creating the pain. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously.  During Laser Therapy, the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, pain is relieved and function is restored.

Second: Correct the Shoulder and Postural Mechanics

Long-term pain relief of shoulder injuries involves rehabilitation of the shoulder, neck, and thoracic spine. Shoulder rehabilitation is achieved by utilizing specific postural adjustments, exercises and specific posture stabilizing methods in order to re-establish proper motion and strength of the shoulder joint. Ongoing strengthening and stretching exercises are used to rehabilitate the musculature of the shoulder to ensure lasting results.

If you suffer from chronic pain, it is worth your while to spend some time figuring out which of any number of factors are contributing to your pain — we will help you explore which combination of therapies will help you heal it. The good news is — you can do it without drugs, and you can get back to the activities you love!

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

“Hotshots, Flyboys, Egotists, Dreamers.”  That just about sums up Gene Cernan and the boys of the Apollo Program.

The Last Man on the Moon is a look at the Apollo Space Program. Yes, it’s a documentary but this film is anything but boring. Eugene Cernan was very literally the last man to set foot on the moon. As you look up at the moon tonight, ponder that. We almost deify those who climb Mount Everest yet there are men who still walk amongst us, who walked on the moon…over 40 years ago!

I believe we’ve lost our sense of wonder, of being part of something bigger.  We now have the technology to do so much, but we don’t seem to have the imagination or the will.

The Apollo astronauts were mostly hotshot fighter pilots. They knew there was a program being put together. They had heard President John F. Kennedy’s speech, just like the rest of the world—a speech of wonderment and hope.  Eugene Cernan didn’t even know he was being considered until he got “the call.”

This film is a perfect blend of the today and yesteryear. Rich in rare, archival material, compelling visual effects, and amazing access to a real super hero finally willing to present an iconic historical account, this film is nothing short of awe inspiring.

I lived through the early days of computers but when the footage of the Houston Control Room came on the screen, my jar dropped. While I’m watching movies, talking on the phone and looking up someone in my 3000+ contacts on a device that fits in my hand, I’m wondering what kind of man would volunteer to go to the moon on a spaceship controlled by a room full of computers, each the size of a walk-in closet! The “reception” was fuzzy and blurry and just plain undependable. When Gene Cernan did his information gathering flight around the moon just before Neil Armstrong’s epic “first step” flight, he re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere at approximately 26,000 miles per hour.

These astronauts knew that some of the fellow travelers would not make it, yet they volunteered anyway. The group became very close. They lived in the same neighborhood, played cards together and trained together. Their wives shopped together and grieved together. Cernan’s wife was quoted as saying, “You think going to the moon is hard, you ought to try staying home.”

The divorce rate among the group was 67% –a steep price to pay until you know that when Cernan left the last human footprints on the moon, he also left his daughter’s initials written in the lunar dust.

This largely unexplored chapter in the history of American space exploration and the lives that are rarely considered is now ours to view.  Director Mark Craig is brilliant.  This is a great family movie (probably best 11+ years). In fact, for you grandparents, it’s a movie to watch and talk about with your grandchildren. It’s a film about flaws and failures, guts and glory; a true story of American exceptionalism.

I look forward to your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

If you are a regular reader of ALIVE, you already know the answer to the question, “What makes ALIVE Magazine different from other local magazines?” I don’t need to tell you that our covers are unlike any other or that we generally have more editorial content than some magazines with three times as many pages. Why, from time to time—dare I say it—we even include some content that some consider “controversial.”  

We intentionally strive to provide something quite a bit different from the standard “lifestyle magazine,” because we know that, in the long run, it provides more value to both readers and advertisers. It’s a model that has worked well for nearly eleven years.

In addition to the mailed copies of ALIVE that are sent to subscribers, offices, and businesses, ALIVE is distributed each month to nearly 200 rack locations throughout the Diablo Valley, Tri Valley and Lamorinda Corridor. In fact, chances are, if you’re reading this, you probably picked up this free copy of ALIVE at one of those locations.

Now, here is the point I’d like to make: This issue of ALIVE isn’t really a “free” copy at all—someone, or some group, paid to have this very copy produced so that you could have the pleasure of reading it.

That “someone” just happens to be is our amazing, loyal advertisers—and I don’t use the word “loyal” frivolously. Indeed, many, like Fretwell’s Ethan Allen, Pattiv’s Jewelers, Katrina Rozelle, The Rouge Cosmetics, Dr. Donald Parsons, Sky Power Solar, Graham Hitch, Terry Thompson, Massage Envy, Align Healing Center, Dr. Robert Brown, Solar Technologies, Alamo Tax Service, Sentinels of Freedom, and Janna Chestnut, have been supporting ALIVE Magazine for many years—in fact, several have been with us since our very first issue in 2005.

Some advertisers that joined us more recently include Balanced Pain Management, Private Capital Investments, Diablo Valley College Foundation, and, last but not least, the newest member of our ALIVE family, Diablo Fine Jewelers in Alamo (please drop by for a visit and welcome them to the neighborhood).

So, as you enjoy this issue of ALIVE, please keep in mind that these fine businesses and professionals make it all happen. They are owned by and employ your neighbors and friends; they make our community the great place it is, but can only continue to do so with your ongoing patronage and support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Were it not for summer produce, this would be my least favorite season of the year. Don’t get me wrong—I’m all for vacations and barbecues. I’m just not a warm-weather gal. Most likely because my roots stem from the northern coast of Ireland, I am genetically predisposed to avoid the sun. Really. Unlike most of my friends who welcome the warming rays, I retreat like a vampire. There is no SPF too high; no UV protection too great; no hat-brim too wide; nor water bottle too cold. I’ve never met an air-conditioner I didn’t like. I arrive at the farmers’ market in the early morning hours; and work in my home garden at dusk. I thoroughly identify with Woody Allen’s old line: “I don’t burn. I stroke.” But enough about me.

What I appreciate most about summer is how fruits and vegetables flourish in the California sun—even if I don’t. The farmers’ market is a riot of color and aromas, providing nationally-envied produce perfect for carefree meals.

Veggies like organically-grown tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, a color spectrum of sweet bell peppers, tender young green beans, and summer squash are often best after little or no cooking, with nothing more than a sprinkling of salt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Just a few minutes on the grill makes summer’s sweet corn the stuff dreams are made of. Incomparably juicy berries, peaches, nectarines, and plums speak for themselves.

Over the years summer squash—especially zucchini—has developed a bad rep. Instead of hacking into that watery, zeppelin-sized specimen your neighbor pawned off on you, enjoy the sweet surprise of tender young zucchini. Although you can usually find limp, bruised zucchini in supermarkets throughout the year, this is the season to find out what it should really taste like.

Outdoor entertaining is in full swing this month. When invited to a party I usually offer to bring an appetizer, though I don’t want to break the bank on ingredients…or break into a sweat preparing it. This recipe fits the bill as it utilizes summer’s most prolific vegetable; and can be made successfully without even turning on the oven. These one-or-two-bite-size snacks or sides—that resemble flat little frittatas—can be served at once while still warm; or made in advance and served at room temperature or (ideally) re-heated in your host’s oven.

The easy sun-dried tomato aioli is a secret weapon to keep in your cooking arsenal. It is quickly made with store-bought mayonnaise, and makes just about everything taste better. Too bad it doesn’t cure a sunburn.

Zucchini Cakes with Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli

1 pound farm-fresh small-to-medium zucchini, ends trimmed

1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 green onion (scallion), white and green parts finely chopped

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh marjoram or oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dried), plus sprigs for garnish

Olive or vegetable oil for frying

About 1/3 cup Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli (recipe follows)

1. Coarsely grate the zucchini, using the shredding disk on a food processor or the large holes on a box grater. (You will have about 4 cups.) Place shredded zucchini in a colander in the sink and sprinkle with salt; toss to coat. Place a plate on top of the zucchini to weight it down. Let drain 30 minutes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Working in batches, firmly squeeze handfuls of zucchini to remove excess moisture.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and Parmesan to blend. Whisk in the eggs and cayenne. Stir in the drained zucchini, green onion, and marjoram until well mixed.

4. Coat the surface of a large nonstick griddle or skillet with oil and heat over medium-high heat until hot. Working in batches, drop scant tablespoons of the zucchini mixture onto the griddle without crowding. Use a spatula to flatten the cakes into 2-inch rounds. Cook, turning once, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side. As each batch is completed, drizzle more oil onto the griddle as needed. As you work, place the cakes on the prepared baking sheet, arranging them in a single layer. Transfer to a platter to serve at once, or cool completely, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Serve at room temperature, or reheat, uncovered, in a 400 degree oven until warmed through, 7 to 9 minutes.

5. To serve, place zucchini cakes in a single layer on a platter. Top each with a drizzle or dollop of aioli and garnish the platter with marjoram sprigs. Makes 24 (2-inch) appetizers.

 

Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli

10 oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves (about 1/2 cup), lightly drained (about 2 ounces)

1 large garlic clove, halved

6 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

A generous dash of cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons California extra virgin olive oil

1. Combine the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic in a food processor or blender. Pulse until finely chopped.

2. Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne. Process until well blended. With the machine on, gradually add the olive oil in a thin stream until incorporated. Use at once or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Makes about 2/3 cup…which is more than you’ll need for the zucchini cakes. Use the leftovers to drizzle over grilled chicken; as a dip for veggies; or as a spread for sandwiches or crostini.

The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad & Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.org. This market is made possible through the generous support of the Town of Danville. Please show your appreciation by patronizing the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well!

 

 

I have had the pleasure over the years to travel to the South of France to discover new perfumes and to enjoy the artistry of perfume making by some of the most interesting Nose experts in the world. I love perfumes; I love the way a certain scent can transform the way you feel. It can lift your spirits, make you feel happy and can make you feel sexy and alive. I know a lot of girls love feeling beautiful in a delicious scent. Women love knowing that when they walk down the street, people are going to say “wow, she smells wonderful.” I want to help you find a natural organic perfume that is free of toxins and as unique as you are, while embracing your individuality.

I only wear natural and organic perfumes. I refuse to contribute to a poor air quality by wearing cheap, imitation scents. Synthetic fragrances are toxic, and I will have them nowhere near my body.

I would like to introduce to you one of my favorite organic perfume companies, called Fragonard Perfumery, located in France. It is one of the oldest perfumeries and one of the world’s foremost contemporary fragrance composer companies, offering unique scents for a new generation. You can’t get more organic than Fragonard; they grow all their own flowers for their perfumes in Grasse, right by the Mediterranean sea, where the flowers are so fragrant they couldn’t possibly, nor would they dare put synthetic chemicals in them, as that would ruin the exceptional aroma they already have.

Why Natural Perfumes?

• Whatever you put on your skin goes into your body.
• Synthetic perfumes “outgas” petrochemicals and hurt people sensitive to these chemicals.
• Fragrance chemicals are an environmental danger. The production, usage and disposal of them hurts us and the planet.
• The fragrance industry uses carcinogenic, neorotoxic, and chemical waste products derived from petroleum to make the scents that surround us every day. You then inhale these chemicals and apply them to your skin! Fragrances are the new second-hand smoke.
• Natural perfumes enhance your body’s own unique natural scent; synthetic fragrances cover it up.
• Natural aromas invoke deep emotional responses, your nose can tell synthetic from real, just like your feet can tell Astro Turf from real grass.
• You will love to know when wearing an organic fragrance it will not irritate other people.

Many of the modern perfumes you find at the mall are basically chemical soups wrapped in fancy packaging and marketed with million dollar ad campaigns.

Natural perfumes utilize natural plant extracts and essences, essential oils, resins, woods, flowers and spices. They are truly luxurious, and worth discovering and wearing. Natural perfumes do dissipate more quickly than synthetics (within a few hours), because they lack toxic scent-fixatives, but they can be reapplied to your liking.

The beautiful Organic Fragonard Perfume line will arrive at The Rouge Cosmetics in August. We are one of the first boutiques on the West Coast to carry this fine line of organic perfumes. Come visit us to discover how utterly divine organic perfumes are and how it will uplift the senses, mind and ground the body. There is something for everyone—feminine, sophisticated or modern—with many scents to choose from, in addition to new fragrances coming in every few months. Find out what the locals in France have been enjoying for years with this truly modern, eco-friendly perfume company, offering fine scents and organic body products. You will positively discover a new you, for sure.