Spread Love Signs by local artist Brandon Thrift

We’re so thrilled to have local artist Brandon Thrift’s Spread Love Signs in-stock at Wild Ginger Apothecary! Brandon has become an inspirational force in Sarasota with his cheerful and bright art.

Spread Love

Based in Sarasota has brought some amazing collaborations with businesses, local landmarks, fellow artists and more.

Artist Brandon Thrift

As featured in The Observer, Brandon has been traveling around the United States, leaving his feel-good art wherever he lands!

Brandon Thrift knew his place in the world. 

He liked to make music and share that music with others. The 25-year old drummer would constantly get up on stage with his band and play to cheering crowds in Sarasota. 

That certainty ended along with group events in general when the pandemic arrived. Losing his main source of artistic expression was a blow to Thrift.

“There was a lot of downtime,” he said. "There was a lot of time to overthink and kind of mull in the darkness and, and let all of the negativity consume me … but creative expression will find a way regardless.”

He started exploring new outlets to showcase his creativity. It wasn’t long before he knew painting was the medium for him — he said it felt right.

"It was electric,” he said. “That connection is nonstop. You just want to do it forever and ever and you forget to eat and you forget to drink water.”

 His style of painting — originally abstract expressionism in the vein of Jackson Pollack — began to shift as Thrift explored. 

He realized he wanted to be more expressive with words, and have his art convey a feeling that would help people. The vessel for that came to him in a flash — “Spread Love”.

“It's two syllables, it's enrolled anybody can absorb that subconsciously or consciously,” Thrift said. “It's received theoretically 100% of people that see it.”

Thrift was already planning a nearly three-week road trip across the American Southwest, and decided to bring his message and art along with him, sharing it with as many people as he could.

The new artist has visited countless states across the country, leaving behind painted “Spread Love” signs at landmarks and hotspots. You might have seen his work painted across a tarp hung up in New Orleans, on a piece of wood overlooking the Grand Canyon, or on a surfboard left near a World War II bunker in California. He's left hundreds more.

He’s recently returned home, and says he’s been forever changed by the experience.

“It was a divine intervention of timing and purpose,” he said.

Thrift didn’t have a destination in mind when he set out on his trip on June 1, but he did have a direction. He drove through New Orleans, Texas, New Mexico, California, Oregon and Colorado over the course of more than 12,000 miles. In each city, he would stop at a Michael’s store to pick up paint supplies and find tables, desks, and furniture on Craiglist to break down and use as canvases. 

He preferred those makeshift canvases as a way to recycle things that would be tossed away anyway. Some were small pieces of wood while others were large tarps he would hang in New Orleans. He’d research where he was traveling ahead of time and place them in photographic areas or places with high foot traffic

Thrift would create these works in parking lots and parks all over the Southwest, and was able to get a batch of signs painted and finished in around five hours if the weather permitted. People would often walk up to him to see what he was doing, and they would trade stories. Thrift said that sense of connection was one of his favorite parts of his trip.

"There was this little girl whose father I stayed with and she was you could tell in her eyes," Thrift said. "That she was so inspired by what I was doing. How much was just you could see her beaming at at the thought of what an impact it could potentially make."

He returned home June 23 and feels he's come a long way. His initial trip was just that — the first in additional trips to spread his message to other parts of the country. Thrift is brainstorming a trip up the east coast in the future. 

“I think it’s moved me but it’s also motivated me to do so much more and see what’s out there,” Thrift said. “This is a never ending project.”

Spread Love Signs

Stop in for your own Spread Love sign at Wild Ginger. We have small canvases available for $25! Then follow Brandon’s journey and artistic creations via his Instagram: @artbybrandonthrift!

Tarot for Bachelorette Parties, Bridal Showers and Weddings: In-Person or Virtual!

Book your Tarot Readings for Bachelorette Parties, Bridal Shower or Wedding with our professional readers. We can schedule in-person at a location of your choice, in-store or studio at Wild Ginger Apothecary, or virtual for your group! The perfect addition to your event in Sarasota or Siesta Key.

Minimum 2 hour booking for private events. Feel free to contact us for event coordinating ideas.

Tarot for Bachelorette Parties

Start your celebratory night with group or individual Tarot Readings! You can host at Wild Ginger Apothecary alongside a private yoga or meditation, or even BYOB and games. Or we can come to your location of choice — your home, hotel, bar or restaurant! (Or ask us for local ideas!)

Tarot for Bridal Showers and Bridal Parties

Mix up the luncheon with Tarot Readings for your Bridal Shower! You can arrange as a gallery group reading or schedule private 15 minute readings for each attendee!

Tarot for Girls Night Out

Looking for a different Girls Night Out? Schedule a reader and an after-hours private party at Wild Ginger or the location of your choice! You can even BYOB and arrange catered appetizers or dinner!

Tarot for Weddings

Keep your guests entertained with an option to the dance floor! Our reader(s) can come to your Wedding Reception for as little as 2 hours to provide insightful readings or your wedding guests or party.

CBD Coffee: The Perfect Pair

3 Reasons Why CBD-Infused Coffee Is Amazing

Coffee and cannabis go together better than peanut butter and jelly. Recent research has found that caffeine and cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic compound in the cannabis plant, may have some synergistic effects.

The study was conducted in zebrafish and found that long-term caffeine consumption protects against memory loss associated with extremely high doses of CBD (the benefits of isolated CBD seem to diminish the further you exceed your therapeutic dose range). 

While humans and zebrafish are two entirely different creatures, this perhaps suggests that caffeine might be a useful additive to consider in CBD therapies due their synergistic effect. And vice versa, you may benefit by splashing a little CBD into your daily caffeine dose.

Although research in humans is needed, the authors do mention that zebrafish have responses to CBD that are similar to other animal models.

So, what else can we say about this relationship between CBD and coffee?

1. CBD eases anxiety

Tired of having the jitters? CBD may be helpful for balancing out the sometimes overly stimulating effects of caffeine.

It is fairly well documented in preclinical literature that CBD is a potent anxiolytic.

Caffeine, on the other hand, can trigger anxiety attacks. Caffeine is a stressor that can trigger the release of the hormone adrenaline in the body.  Adrenaline is what triggers the fight or flight response, promoting stress and anxiety.  

CBD, however, may counteract some of these effects. CBD-infused coffee is stimulating without the edge.

CBD and caffeine both interact with adenosine in the body. Adenosine is a calming neurotransmitter that helps the body determine when it's time to stay awake and when you need more sleep. 

However, CBD and caffeine have opposite effects on this time clock chemical. Caffeine blocks the body from being able to feel the sedative effects of adenosine. With CBD, however, early research suggests that CBD may improve the body's response to adenosine. It seemingly does this by increasing the amount of calming adenosine available for the body to use.

This is why a little CBD can ease caffeine-induced nervousness. 

The anti-anxiety effects of CBD are quite powerful. In humans, British researchers have found that CBD is antipsychotic. In a phase 2 study of 88 patients with schizophrenia found that CBD successfully improved cognition and symptoms of the condition. In this case, CBD was used as an adjunctive therapy in treatment-resistant patients.

2. CBD is energizing and boosts mood

Early research has shown that low-dose CBD seems to have an energizing effect. This means that you can feel stimulated and awake with less overall caffeine. No need to order a second espresso or upsize your latte.

CBD also inspires an overall sense of positive well-being. Animal research suggests that the cannabinoid can boost mood, which can make waking up a little easier. 2016 rodent study found that CBD treatment caused a rapid increase in serotonin, a feel-good neurotransmitter that is often regulated with antidepressants.

Cranky in the morning? A cup of joe can help. Coffee also has some mood-lifting properties. A  2011 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that women who drank 3 cups of caffeinated coffee each day were 15 percent less likely to develop depression.

Combining the two? Seems like a great way to start the day. Not to mention, CBD is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory, which can be helpful for those with morning time tension in the muscles and joints.

3. CBD and caffeine are both potent antioxidants

Both coffee and CBD are superfoods. Several compounds in coffee, including caffeine, are powerful antioxidants. Coffee is considered the biggest source of antioxidants in the Western Diet. Antioxidants protect cells and DNA from damage, which supports healing and offers protection against aging.

CBD is also a powerful antioxidant. In fact, the U.S. Government owns a patent (US6630507 B1) on “Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants.” Cannabinoids like CBD are expected to be particularly helpful for recovery from major brain events like trauma or stroke.

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We're thrilled to announce that our neighbors at The Clever Cup Coffee Shop now offer our Siesta Key Sea Bee Dee CBD tincture as an add-on option to their delicious coffee beverages!  Ask for it next time you place an order!  Or pick up your own bottle at Wild Ginger Apothecary next time you're in, to make your own CBD Coffee right at home!

Buti Yoga in Sarasota

Buti Yoga is officially in Sarasota at Wild Ginger Apothecary with instructor Leila Carlson.

Buti Yoga workouts transform your BODY + SOUL with cardio-intensive bursts of tribal dance, primal movement + conditioning woven into a dynamic yoga practice. 

Buti is an Indian Marathi word that means "a cure that has been hidden or kept secret." We believe EVERY woman has the power to transform and heal her body from within. Buti Yoga focuses on activating the Spiral Structure of the core to engage the deep abdominal muscles and stimulate the endocrine system.

We're thrilled to welcome Leila and Buti Yoga to Wild Ginger.  Join her for weekly Buti Yoga classes - including Mommy & Me offerings!  Class schedule available below. 

PRESS: SarasotaDay's "5 Essential Oils for Every Home"

Essential Oils are all the rage.  Did you know that Wild Ginger Apothecary offers Certified Organic, Therapeutic-grade Essential Oils by Simplers? Their oils are sourced all over the world to ensure they are 100% pure, genuine, species specific, and expertly distilled.  And no, you don't need to join a multi-level-marketing team to purchase them.

SarasotaDay recently featured some of our must-have essential oils (Lavender, Lemon, Tea Tree, Peppermint, and Eucalyptus).  They also mentioned a few of our ready-to-go blends that take the guesswork out of aromatherapy.  Check it out!

As seen in SarasotaDay: 

5 Essential Oils for Every Home

"Everyone’s digging on the essential oils these days, and who can blame them? They’re a safe and simple way to take care of your body and your home. Still, the lists of all the EOs and their many uses can be a bit daunting to anyone who is unfamiliar with this wonderful and mysterious world."

I Love Kombucha (and why you will too)!

I remember my first experience with Kombucha a decade ago.  Kind of like your first beer, you have a hard time determining just what you think about it: is it too tart, too sweet, too fizzy, too acidic? But then you realize it's the perfect combination of all those things, and you wonder why you haven't known about it years earlier.  The 2-for-1 sales on 'booch became my best friend, and I'd pack my refrigerator full every chance I got.  I've been addicted ever since.

What is Kombucha? It's a fermented tea that been revered as an "elixir of life" for 3000 years.  It helps your immune and digestive systems, detoxifies, and gives you energy.  This I can personally vouch for! Plus it's full of probiotics, amino acids, B vitamins and more.  (And did I mention it's the best hangover remedy out there? You're welcome.)

Lucky for those of us in Sarasota, we have an amazing local brand: Kombucha 221BC.  Aneta + Eric make some of the most creative 'booch flavors I've had.  (Lemon Lime Cayenne might even beat out Ginger for my absolute favorite.)  They've been a great friend to Wild Ginger Apothecary, and we've been proud to sample their delicious tea at both our Grand Opening as well as our monthly First Friday parties.  Stop by and see us for a Kombucha Cocktail: they are really fantastic! They are available to buy throughout town and right here at WGA!

Drinking so much 'booch you want to venture making your own? I've got the answer for you for that, too.  I postponed brewing my own for years because I thought it'd be impossible to get a Scoby.  When I came across this super-easy Kombucha Starter Kit, it was the perfect solution.  Easy to follow directions and less than $1 a serving for your first batch: well worth trying it!  We have numerous herbal teas you can infuse your batch with at Wild Ginger Apothecary; one personal favorite was the Evening Spa for a calming, lavender flavored tea.  I have to admit, though, original black tea is my go-to.  It's a crowd favorite with it's cider-like finish. 
If you're looking for an energizing and refreshing beverage that's far healthier than soda, give Kombucha a try!  You can impress your friends with what Scoby means (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast) and feel good about indulging. Cheers!
 

xx
Nicole

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY!