Sustainable Spa
When Angela Barker decided to open her own spa, she and her husband, Greg — a skilled carpenter by trade — wanted to do it their own way. Located in coastal Carlsbad, Spa Samudra’s philosophy is green through and through. "I live true to my life," explains Angela, who lives with her family on a sailboat run by solar and battery power. "I live organically and I work organically." Greg built out the space with eco-friendly materials, from bamboo flooring to water-based paint. The couple takes care not to be wasteful, which means glass instead of plastic and recycled/biodegradable items whenever possible. And the products at the spa’s skin care bar are organic and never tested on animals; if you buy from the Samudra line, you can even return with your empties and refill for half-price. Samudra offers a full spectrum of spa services, but be sure to try the Hot Stone Massage, a 70-minute exfoliating body scrub and hot-towel rubdown followed by a relaxing stone massage. (760/720-0656, www.spasamudra.org)
— AnnaMaria Stephens, photo by Kristy Ann Mann

Kyle Brown and client Christy MacFarlane

Fitness Phenom
Fitness triple-threat Kyle Brown takes a holistic approach to good health. The creator of the Fit 365 organic nutritional shake, which is carried nationwide, is also a clinical nutritionist and personal trainer. "I offer the whole package," says Brown. "With my clients, transformation goals are focused on improving every component of health: looking better and feeling better." He explains that clinical nutritionists are the natural-health version of registered dieticians — in his view, the metabolic value of food trumps counting every calorie and carb. And his personal training sessions — which Brown conducts out of a 600-square-foot, state-of-the-art studio in his Del Mar home two blocks from the beach — are efficient for busy clients on-the-go. "I teach people how their bodies work versus how a piece of machinery works," he explains. "I fit into 30 minutes what would take an hour at the gym." (858/794-7777, www.fit365.com)
— AnnaMaria Stephens

Oils Of Aloha
Hawaiians have been using kukui oil for centuries to protect, heal, and nourish skin that has been exposed to various elements including the sun, drying winds, and salt water. Benefits include relief from symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, and burns. In addition to selling kukui oil in bulk, Oahu-based Oils Of Aloha has formulated its own line of top quality skin care products, all paraben-free, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic. Nourishing offerings include the skin care collection (oils, moisturizing creams and lotions, massage oil, and glycerine soaps), as well as after-sun products and macadamia cooking and salad oils. Oils Of Aloha products are available locally at select GNC locations, as well as online.
(800/367-6010, www.oilsofaloha.com) — Jane Shiomi