As creators of Wonder Valley, Alison and her husband Jay know a thing or two about “the good life,” and olive oil is at the heart of it. They have produced the most beautiful bottle of extra virgin California olive oil we ever did see, a true reflection of the life they live. Their oil elevates every meal through its bright, herbaceous and peppery flavor and is also used as a hero ingredient in their unisex skincare collection, an ancient and beloved beauty staple. Alison and Jay believe in the holistic power of olive oil as a universal life-enriching ingredient and the true Fountain of Youth; a cornerstone of a healthful diet and the key to radiant skin, and we couldn't agree more. Read on to see how free spirited beauty Alison gets her glow on, and get a glimpse into her dreamy desert lifestyle.

www.welcometowondervalley.com || @wondervalley

NAME:

Alison Carroll

NICKNAME:

AL

PROFESSION:

owner of Wonder Valley

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Lawrenceville, New Jersey

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

The high desert of Joshua Tree, CA

WHEN YOU’RE EATING HEALTHY, WHAT IS A TYPICAL…

BREAKFAST:

Bone Broth with some greens or a poached egg in it, A small pot of green tea (love my tea from Sakurai in Tokyo), a shot of olive oil, a liter of water and a handful of vitamins

LUNCH:

Rice, raw and cooked vegetables, microgreens chickpeas or beans, homemade chile oil / kraut/ kurikake – my holy trinity that finds its way into most dishes.

DINNER:

Roast chicken with spicy mustard, big green salad with evoo dressing and lots of seasonal vegetables

SNACK:

avocado + yuzu koshu + evoo with a spoon

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO EAT HEALTHY?

Where we live, 99% of our meals come from my kitchen. We’ve built a wood burning outdoor kitchen to have fun with hosting and how often we eat in. If I’m in LA; sqirl, honey hi, moonjuice, dune, pine + crane, and culture club 101

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE?

Pasta! I’m an Italian from New Jersey, it’s literally all I want to eat. Also a perfect manhattan cocktail.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO INDULGE?

I like to eat what I can’t cook at home when I’m traveling: sushi (Osawa in Pasadena), spicy thai (Night Market), or generous big bowls of pasta (I have such a soft spot for Speranza).

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL ON EARTH?

Hop a flight to Narukiyo Izakaya in Tokyo – everything is perfection there; the food, the experience, the balance of high/low and sense of humor.

WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU COOK/ YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE?

I can roast the perfect chicken

WHERE DO YOU GROCERY SHOP?

Mostly the Joshua Tree Farmers Market on Saturdays. If I’m in LA: cookbook. In San Francisco: Berkeley Bowl, aka the best food store on the planet. Usually keep a cooler in my trunk so I can always haul back groceries with me when I travel for work.

TOP 3 ITEMS YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR KITCHEN?

Wonder Valley Olive Oil Lemons Good Salt (diamond crystal kosher as the workhorse, maldon as the finisher)

WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS REGIMEN? (how often & what you do)

Couple times of week I’m taking a hike or walking the dog, Yoga weekly (love the soundbath class at Cedar & Sage in Yucca Valley or any Yogala classes in LA), Gym for weight lifting 1 x week. I like to do workout classes when I travel. Training mate in LA is the most fun, challenging workout! And when I’m visiting my family in Philly, I get a killer workout at my brother-in-law’s gym, F45 in fishtown.

WHAT IS YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE? (products, facials, etc)

Wash my face morning and night with Wonder Valley facial cleanser: apply to dry skin and massage for a full minute, add a little water and it gets this lovely milky lather and rinse with alternating hot and cold water for another minute Spritz of a toner (one that I make myself) Wonder Valley Face Oil A weekly body scrub with raw sugar and olive oil Wonder Valley Body Oil neck to toes, followed by layers of different perfumes and roll on scents I like

WHAT IS YOUR SELF-CARE ROUTINE?

Acupuncture regularly, face makes and olive oil as a hair mask while taking an Epsom salt bath, meditation, eating well, sleeping well and drinking lots of water

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MAKEUP/NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS?

Love the salt spray from La Tierra Sagrada for daily hair styling Kjaer Weis for Mascara and light eye shadow, found them through Cap Beauty my go-to source for elevated natural beauty I use organica castor oil daily as a DIY eyebrow serum; makes them look fuller and encourages growth Sigil’s Amor Fati natural perfume

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 PRODUCTS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

Olive Oil: because I can cook and use as self-care and moisturizer Berkey Filter to hopefully have some clean water And the biggest straw hat possible!

WHAT PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY/HEALTH/FITNESS/SPIRITUAL GURUS DO YOU SWEAR BY?

Baba Ram Dass <3 I love Lacy Phillip’s To Be Magnetic podcasts and workshops I have found the Enneagram to be an invaluable tool for personal and relationship growth.

TOP 3 FAVORITE SONGS?

You Aint Goin Nowhere – The Byrds Jersey Girl – Bruce Springsteen God Out West – Link Wray

MOST-WATCHED MOVIE?

The Big Lebowski

MOST LIFE-CHANGING BOOK?

The Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing

FAVORITE SHOPS/BOUTIQUES?

RTH Kapital Caron Callahan Apiece Apart Shop Vestige Santa Fe Vintage

COOLEST PLACE YOU’VE EVER VISITED?

Shibu Onsen in Japan to see the snow monkeys last month

FAVORITE HOTELS?

Our hotel! El Rey Court in Santa Fe

WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

My husband had my favorite jumpsuit chainstitched with the Wonder Valley logo and my name on the pocket, the sweetest gift

MOST PROFOUND HEALING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE EVER HAD?

Recently had a wonderful cacoa ceremony with Angela Del Agua in Joshua Tree

WHO ARE YOUR MOST TRUSTED HEALERS?

Dr. Jo, a chiropractor in LA My local acupuncturist

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD TO FACE AND WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM IT?

Learning about the areas I get in my own way; whether its business or relationships or limitations I put on myself. Learning how to let things flow and be okay when they aren’t showing up how or when I thought they would.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

A long morning snuggling with my husband and sweet pup Lefty boy. A group of musician friends over for breakfast, filling the house with songs and the smell of bacon. Taking a new hike or even better, a swim in the ocean. Time offline with a great book. A fire in the evening. A big meal. Dancing.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE GLOW TIP/SECRET??

Good posture, deep breathing, and big smiles: I can rewire my mood and mental state to being more confident, calmer and happier by simple actions and awareness of how I am carrying myself.

FAVORITE QUOTE?

“The value of doing something does not lie in the ease or difficulty, the probability or improbability of its achievement, but in the vision, the plan, the determination and the perseverance, the effort and the struggle which go into the project. Life is enriched by aspiration and effort, rather than by acquisition and accumulation.” – Helen Nearing