Spa Party

Well, the year has begun and continues to thrust forward party after party. Winter holidays followed by Valentine's Day, St.Patrick's Day, Easter, Passover, Cinco de Mayo, and Mother's Day....With this being the case, I suggest a spa party.

Mother's Day is a day of celebrating Mom. We think of pampering and kindness....now let's be kind to ourselves with a delicious luncheon, spa remedies for soothing our souls and skin, and the opportunity to engage in light conversation and laughter with our friends.

Many of us suffer from headaches. If you are like me, you attempt a bit of a relaxation regime and then race to the medicine cabinet and down two or three ibuprofen. We encounter many types of headaches and there is a reason for their cause and a holistic remedy to alleviate the pain.

Cluster Headache:
Piercing, burning pain which occurs on one side of the head and always the same place. The cluster headache is nicknamed the suicide headache due to its extreme pain. Unfortunately, the cause of this type of headache is truly unknown but suggested to be related to the occipital nerve.

Combination Headache: Dull and dispiriting pain which commonly begins in the morning and reoccurs between migraine attacks. Unfortunately, this type of headache's cause is unknown.

Migraine:
Pain is usually on one side of the head only. Migraines are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and interrupted vision. The causes for migraines originate from hereditary factors or circulatory interference in the brain.

Simple Headache:
Banging, buzzing, throbbing pain in the head. The causes for the simple headache range from stress, sensitivity to changes in atmospheric pressure, high blood pressure, fever caused by virus, or lack of oxygen.

Tension Headache:
A dull pain in the temples. The tension headache begins at the back of the head and neck or in the middle of your forehead spreading throughout the head. The usual causes of tension headaches is due to muscular tension and/or poor posture.

To alleviate headache pain, cold compresses, relaxation techniques, baths, and acupressure all assist in ridding ourselves of pain.

Acupressure:
1.Using your thumb and index finger, press against the bridge of your nose at the corners of your eyes.
2.For three seconds, stretch your face with an over exaggerated facial expression...stretching eyes, eyebrows, opening mouth as large as it will open...hold for 3 seconds.
3.Rub the center of the webbing area between your index finger and thumb...press this area and massage.

Bath:
Using essential oils, run a warm bath and add 3 drops of chamomile, 3 drops of lavender, 3 drops of rosemary and an emulsifier like honey. Soak and relax.

Manicures and Pedicures:
Most of us have all experienced a mani/pedi by venturing out to our local nail salon, sitting in a massaging chair, sipping water/tea, leafing through the latest smut mag and enjoying having someone other than ourselves execute the process of exfoliating and smoothing.

In between our weekly or bi-weekly visits, we can do some at home maintenance. One tip is to utilize olive oil for strengthening our nails and softening our hands and feet. Prior to bed, warm olive oil and pour into a tub for feet and bowl for hands. Add lemon juice to the olive oil. Soak your hands and feet for approximately three to five minutes. Remove from oil, pat dry with clean dry towel, and place into soft cloth gloves and socks overnight. In the morning, your skin will feel silky smooth and over a period of repetitious therapy, your nails will better resist breakage and chipping.

How to give yourself a pedicure:
1.Thoroughly remove any nail polish.

2.In Epsom salt or other foot soak remedy and warm water, soak feet for ten to fifteen minutes. Remove and pat dry. Coat cuticles with a cuticle remover solution or cuticle conditioner.

3.Using a toenail clipper, clip toenails straight across preventing ingrown toenails.

4.Using a rigid emory board, file toenails establishing a smooth edge.

5.Using a cuticle pusher (can be found at any beauty supply store or drug store),push back cuticles.

6.Using an exfoliating scrub, exfoliate all of the dead skin cells up to your knees massaging your calves and feet thoroughly. Use a pumice stone for the more roughened areas on the bottom of your heels. Rinse thoroughly, drain water, and pat dry skin.

7.Using a non-perfumed lotion, massage in cream giving yourself a massage and ensuring the cream has completely been absorbed into your skin.

8.Using either pedicure sandals or cotton, separate your toes.

9.Paint base coat from one toe to the next and then repeat. Allow to dry for three to five minutes then apply a clear top coat. The top coat will provide a high polished sheen and sustain your efforts for a week or so.

Facials:
As we age, we all begin to notice the signs. Wrinkles develop, skin begins to sag, and our hearts begin to race with anxiety. Some preventative remedies are imperative to instill into our daily regime. One of these remedies would be to begin facial exercises. For more on this topic: http://www.rejenuve.com/FacialMagicSL.htm

We all have different skin types: Oily skin, combination skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, and normal skin. I will offer a few facial recipes for each skin type:

Oily skin:
Cucumber Yogurt Facial
Clean and peel one cucumber. Put half of it in a food processor or blender. Add about 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt. Blend the mixture until smooth.
Apply the cucumber yogurt mask to your entire face, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for ten to fifteen minutes, then remove mask with lukewarm water.

Apple and Honey Facial
Honey is a natural astringent that will also help to tighten your oily skin.
Add one apple (peeled, seeded, and cut into slices) into a blender or food processor. Add three tablespoons of honey. Blend the mixture well. Apply to face and leave on for ten to fifteen minutes. Then, rinse with warm water.

Combination skin:
Clay Facial
Diane Irons, the author of several beauty books, swears cat litter is made of the same ingredients as special clays found in very expensive spa facials. Try it..you will be amazed!
Ingredients:
1 bag cat litter (must be marked '100 Percent Natural Clay')
Water
Drops of your favorite essential oil

Preparation:
Mix in a couple tablespoons of the cat litter with water and drops of essential oils.
Apply mask to face and let sit for fifteen minutes. Thoroughly rinse and pat dry.

Oatmeal Facial
Mix one egg and 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal and a teaspoon olive oil until smooth. Spread on your face and leave fifteen minutes. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

Dry Skin:
Banana Yogurt Facial
The yogurt will not only hydrate and soften your dry skin, it will also exfoliate your skin, removing dead skin cells.
Peel one banana placing half of it in a bowl. Mash the banana with a fork. Add four tablespoons of plain yogurt to the banana and stir the mixture until smooth. Apply to your face and leave on for ten to fifteen, then rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Avocado and Honey Facial
Avocados and honey are particularly moisturizing. This mask is great for mature, wrinkled and dry skin. It's best to use a ripe, fresh, organic avocado. Mash into a creamy pulp.
Ingredients:
1/2 avocado
1/4 cup honey

Preparation:
A classic recipe for dry skin. Mash the avocado in a bowl, then stir in honey.
Apply to skin and leave for fifteen minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry. Apply a cool wash cloth to close the pores.

Sensitive Skin:
Honey and Almond Scrub:
Mix 1 tablespoon honey with 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds. Add 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. Rub gently onto face. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Rose clay:
1 Tablespoon rose clay, 1 to 2 Tablespoons avocado oil, 1 drop rose oil, and 1 drop chamomile oil. Using a little bit of warm water, mix together to form a smooth clay. Apply to face and leave on for approximately fifteen minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Normal Skin:
Apple juice and Egg white mask
Take an egg white, 1 teaspoon apple juice, and 2 teaspoon vegetable oil. Blend all ingredients thoroughly. Apply mixture to your face and allow to set for fifteen minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.

Oatmeal and Egg white mask
Take 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon olive oil, and 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal. Blend ingredients together forming a smooth paste. Apply mask and let set for fifteen minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.

Now for our luncheon:
Make it simple. Think of detoxification and green for a healthier body.

Serve iced water with lemon slices or mix up a few iced water pitchers with a variety of fruit slices floating to add some citrus zest, i.e, oranges, limes, and lemons.

Serve iced or hot teas. Place a pot of hot tea for two people to share. With such a vast variety of teas available and accessible, select green tea, white tea, black tea, and a couple of herbal infusions to choose from.

Serve tea sandwiches, scones, and muffins along with a fruit and cheese platter.

You can end your luncheon with champagne and strawberries.

Take a deep breath, exhale, and know that you have just pampered your body and skin. Sharing this experience with friends pampered your soul!