Spa Pampering at Home Using Food Based Ingredients
. alcohol, baking soda, coffee, ginger, home spa recipes, honey, relaxation techniques, spaPhoto Courtesy of samthehamsmom |
For some of these recipes I consulted one of my favorite sites, Spa Index.com
SpaIndex.com Tip: You've heard the adage "Never cook with wine you wouldn't drink." This holds equally true for home spa remedies.
Never use ingredients for your home spa treatments that you wouldn't want to eat. Your skin, the largest organ on your body, breathes and is porous. It will absorb the properties of the ingredients you are using. Don't "clean out the fridge or pantry" to create your home skincare remedies. Use fresh, high quality ingredients for the best results, and do not store the treatment longer than the shelf life of the most perishable ingredient. - This is great advice, true of beauty or cooking!
- Do meditation: something repetitive and quiet (kneading dough, knitting etc) focus your thoughts on the act, the movement. If your thoughts start to wonder, allow them to float away and get back to the task.
- If you don't feel doing "something" is very meditative - then try using visualization: envision yourself in a serene spot or tropical setting, concentrate on the sounds in this setting - birds or waves crashing. Or think of something soothing, such as a favorite quilt - take time to relive the textures of the stitches and the feeling of the fabric against your skin.
- Rhythmic breathing is another technique to put you in a relaxed state. Lay on your back in a comfortable position, and slowly inhale, lips pursed, counting to 3 - watch / feel your diaphragm move inward. When you reach 3 slowly exhale - imagine your breath fanning outward. Repeat 10 times, allow yourself to become more relaxed each time.
Spa Treatment Recipes:
Photo Courtesy of MarkAndMarina
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- Get rid of build-up by sprinkling a quarter-size amount of baking soda into your palm along with your fav shampoo.
- Shampoo as usual, rinse thoroughly.
- Blend 2 TB Baking Soda in a basin of warm water. (optional: Add a few drops of lavender oil for relaxing aromatherapy. Do not use if pregnant!).
- After allowing your feet a nice soak in the basin - Make a scrub: 3 parts Baking Soda & 1 part water. Add one part brown sugar and mix.
- Using your hands or a washcloth - rub the scrub in circles into your feet, one at a time. Rinse.
- Follow with an application of your favorite moisturizer,(or try this one below). Wrap your feet in a warm towel for 5-10 minutes.
- 2 cups finely ground sea salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 T light oil
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil
- 2 eggs
- 5-6 drops essential oil of your choice
Well, I am sure you have heard of using cocoa butter for moisturizing the skin, but how bout using ginger to invigorate it?
- 2-inch piece of fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons light sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons apricot kernel oil
- 2 teaspoons vitamin E oil
- ½ cup cocoa butter
Chocolate Facial Mask:
This creamy mask is an excellent moisturizer, leaving your skin baby soft. Recommended for normal skin.
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp. heavy cream
- 2 tsp. cottage cheese
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tsp. oatmeal
- 1 cup of unscented bubble bath
- 1/3 cup of unsweetened soy milk
- 3 oz. of grated or powdered dark chocolate
- 1 oz distilled or clean catch rain water
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 7 drops lemon essential oil
- 1 ounce beer (stale works fine)
- 5 drops rosemary essential oil (do not use if pregnant)
- 5 drops calendula essential oil (optional, but recommended for blondes)
- 2 cups of coarsely ground coffee
- 1/2 cup raw sugar or sea salt
- 2-3 T massage oil
Mix all ingredients together. Take a hot shower to moisten your skin and open your pores. Using wide, circular motions, rub the coffee exfoliant onto your skin with strong, even pressure. Shower off, pat skin dry, and apply a thin layer of your favorite body lotion
- 1/4 to 1/2 mashed fresh avocado
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice bran
- 10 drops of oil of evening primrose.
Bay Rum Aftershave:
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 2 Tbs Jamaican rum
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1/4 tsp whole allspice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- zest from a small orange
Closing thoughts:
Hmm...what an interesting idea - for Valentines Day or a special Anniversary, try creating a 'spacation' date for just the two of you using some of the hints and recipes mentioned above. Remember that pampering yourself is not just a luxury, it is necessary. Be sure to have fun!
The view expressed here are mine & mone alone. I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. I received an "Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Spa Gift Basket to thank me for taking the time to participate.Please read more about Renaissance Culinaire's Disclosure Policy