It's time to turn your home into spa central for the person who needs a break!
Perhaps the most important part of the home-spa experience is being sure you have uninterrupted quiet time. When creating the perfect spa experience, soothing music is an easy beginning.
Then take note of lighting. You'll be surprised at how lighting can create a stress-relieving mood. Lighting the room with candles will fill the area with a soothing scent and offer a very relaxing atmosphere.
After that it's time for a relaxing bath or shower, followed by a few easy spa recipes using products from behind your cupboard doors.
* Tub Tea Recipe: Mix together 2 tbsp. (30 mL) lavender flowers, 2 tbsp. (30 mL) rose petals, 4 tbsp. (60 mL) marigold petals and 1 tbsp. (15 mL) strawberry leaves. Store in an airtight container until ready to use. Keep in a cool dry place. To use, place 2 tbsp. (30mL) Tub Tea into a mesh or fabric bag. While filling tub with water, add 1 bag of Tub Tea and allow it to gently infuse bath water while you relax.
* Bubble Nut Bath Recipe: In a bowl, combine half-cup (125 mL) honey, quarter-cup (60 mL) gentle liquid soap, 1 tbsp. (15 mL) almond or vanilla extract and 1 tbsp. (15 mL) glycerine. Shake and add to bath. Or combine 1 tbsp. (15 mL) shampoo with one-eighth cup (25 mL) safflower oil and pour under running water. Tip: While you're at it, sprinkle a handful of rose petals onto the water.
* Create-your-own Fruit Smoothie Hair Mask: In a blender, combine:
One-quarter banana, half-cup avocado, one-quarter cantaloupe, 2 tsp. (10 mL) wheat germ and 1 tbsp. (15 mL) yogurt. Leave in hair for 10 minutes. Rinse.
* I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, Face Mask Recipe: Combine 1 tbsp. (15 mL) regular yogurt and 1 tsp. (5 mL) soft honey. Apply to face for seven minutes. Pat and rinse face with a hot cloth.
* Pinky Toe Milk Bath: In a saucepan, heat 5 cups (1.25 L) water and 2 cups (500 mL) milk. Remove from heat; add 3-5 drops peppermint essential oil. Soak feet for 15 minutes in the hottest temperature that feels comfortable. Rinse, dry and apply lotion.
* Super Soft Sugar Baby Lotion: Combine 2 parts cooking oil with 1 tbsp. (15 mL) salt and 1 tbsp. (1 5mL) sugar. Spread on hands and leave for five minutes; rinse in lukewarm water.
* Extra Tips: Before a home-spa manicure or pedicure, file nails and soak them in a bowl of warm water and 1-2 tbsp. (15-30 mL) lemon juice or olive oil to soften hands and cuticles. Let soak approximately 5-10 minutes. The final touch: purchase rhinestones from a salon and apply to toenails after the pedicure.
* Foot Powder: Blend one-quarter cup (60 mL) baking soda with one quarter cup (60 mL) cornstarch. Add 8 drops peppermint essential oil and 8 drops tea tree oil. Blend for two minutes. Sprinkle onto feet or in shoes.
* Toothpaste: Combine: 5 tsp. (25 mL) baking soda, half-tsp. (2 mL) salt, 4 tsp. (20 mL) glycerine and 10 drops peppermint or wintergreen essential oils. Store in a container and use daily.
* Face Mask: Mash 2 tbsp. (30 mL) avocado; add 2 tbsp. (30 mL) honey and 1 egg yolk. Apply to face; leave for 15 minutes. Rinse.
* Hand Lotion: Into a bottle, combine one quarter cup (60 mL) chamomile tea, one third cup (75 mL) glycerine, 1 tbsp. (15 mL) vitamin E and half tsp. (2 mL) peppermint extract. Blend in small food processor until thick and creamy.
* Extra Tip: Give yourself a spa treatment and save your face cream. Prevent cold cream from spoiling by storing it in the refrigerator. The added bonus is how cool it feels when applied!
* Smooth Skin: Use a version of the secret recipe that Cleopatra used. Into your bathwater drop 2 cups (500 mL) powdered milk. Submitted by Angel L.
* Extra Tip: Shiny hair is possible with a bit of coconut oil. Rub oil onto your scalp once a week. Wash hair in the morning. Submitted by Leslie D.
* Dry Hands: If you have chapped hands or want to prevent chapping in the winter, rub the inside of an avocado onto hands.
* Extra Tips: Avocados are a wonderful hair moisturizer. Mix a peeled and chopped avocado with 2 tsp. (10 mL) wheat germ oil and 2 tsp. (10 mL) olive oil. Apply.
* Yellow Teeth: Strawberries have a natural bleaching effect on teeth. Rub strawberry pulp over your teeth and then rinse. Tip: Lemon peel rubbed over teeth is also a whitener.
* Static Electric Hair: Soak a hairbrush in water with a fabric softener sheet or apply lemon juice to hair before washing.
* Save tea bags, wet them and apply to eyelids for 15-20 minutes. This helps reduce puffiness and dark circles. Cucumber or raw potato slices also work well.
Happy Valentine's Day!
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming!
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national bestselling Household Solutions series. Her website is www.householdsolutions.org. You can contact her at Box 429, Blumenort, MB, ROA 0C0.
