On occasion it is beneficial to take time to relax in a soothing special bath and smooth the skin.

Depending on what you put into the water, a bath can be:

a. Nourishing
b. Stimulating
c. Toning
d. Soothing
e. Relaxing

Easy additions to the bath water are as follows:

a. 1 cup of vinegar: Soften water / soothe dry and itching skin
b. 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal: Soothe / soften skin
c. 1 cup of powdered milk: Nourish skin / combat dryness
d. 1 large spoon of honey: Relieve tiredness / sleeplessness
e. Orange or Lemon peel: For a pleasant odour
f. 2 tablespoons of laundry starch: Tighten / smooth skin
g. 2 handfuls of Epsom salts: Combat tiredness

Herbal Bath Treatments

Herbal baths have traditionally been incorporated into a beauty treatment regime. The more popular herbs for the bath include the following:

* Chamomile flowers, Elder flowers, Thyme – Softening / soothing skin
* Mint, Rosemary – Stimulating circulation
* Blackberry leaves – Clearing the skin
* Comfrey – Chapped, sore, spotty skin
* Lavender – For the pleasant odour/relaxing

* 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
* 1/4 cup instant powdered whole milk
* 1/4 cup oatmeal

Place into a muslin drawstring bag. Toss the bag into the bath water as it’s running. You can also use the bag to rub your skin as you bathe.

For centuries, humans have recognized the relaxing, rejuvenating affects of a bath. From the Roman Baths popular in 300 AD to modern day spas, baths have been more than just a way to get clean. They have also been both a social and medical fixture. While a regular tub bath can get you clean on the outside, did you know there are ingredients you can add to your water that will cleanse your insides as well? While there are places you can buy pre-packaged bath additives to make a detox bath, you can easily prepare these additives yourself. After a trip to your local grocery or health food store, you’ll be ready to start cleaning toxins out of your body just by relaxing in the tub.

Actually, the ingredients for a detox bath aren’t as complicated as they might sound. In fact, you may already have some of the ingredient in your home. The most common detox bath recipes call for one cup of sea salts, two cups of baking soda and one cup of Epsom salts. After mixing these ingredients well, you can store them in a glass jar with a screw-on lid. You only need about ¼ cup of the mix per bath so this recipe makes enough mix for about 16 baths.  Read more...

For tired muscles: pine, juniper, thyme, lavender, rosemary

For relief from depression: rose, geranium, lavender, patchouli

For stress relief: lemon balm, rose, jasmine, sage, lavender

For stimulation: basil, bay leaf, citronella, oregeno, lemon verbana

For relaxation: catnip, chamomile, rose petals

For oily skin: mint, witch hazel, yarrow, rosemary, lemon verbena or lemon grass

For dry skin: camomile, rose petals, orange flowers, clover flowers or honeysuckle

To soften skin: rose petals, honeysuckle petals

To moisturize: equal parts rose petals and camomile.

Note: To make an herbal bath, simply tie the desired herbs into a piece of cheesecloth or an old sock and let the bathwater run through.

Cleopatra, Queen Of The Nile was known for her charm and beauty secrets. She would have approved of our version of the milk bath. Leaves your skin gently scented and feeling like silk.

Ingredients:

* 3 cups powdered milk
* 1/4 cup oatmeal
* 1/4 cup dried orris root (has a soft violet scent)
* 1/3 cup almond meal*
* 1 capsule vitamin E (break open into dry ingredients)
* 1/3 cup cornstarch

Directions:

Makes enough for a few baths. Combine ingredients make sure its completely mixed. Store in a container. When you are ready to add it to your bath, scoop the desired amount of the mixture and tie securely in a muslin bag or even a facecloth will do. Tie to the faucet allowing the warm water to run over the bag.

* To make almond meal: Using a blender, grind up blanched or slivered almonds to a powdered consistency.

Beauty is not just an outer appearance. It is a complete harmony from within that can be sensed by others from the way you present yourself. If you know you are beautiful, and it comes from within, others will see it too.

* You want clear, smooth skin. – In this book, you’ll get complete recipes for homemade masks, cleansers and scrubs for dry to oily skin. Plus tips and tricks for healthy skin.
* How about your own at-home spa? – Try our soothing bath recipes to smooth and soften your skin and give you back that youthful glow.
* Clear up acne and blemishes fast! – You don’t have to suffer anymore. Full body treatments for clear skin.
* Step-by-step make-up tips to bring out your best features.
* Heavenly hair treatments – Is your hair looking flat or frizzy or oily? You can have shiny, healthy hair. – Is your hair a mess? Try these fantastic hair treatments for dandruff, oily hair, dry hair, flat or limp hair and have shiny, luxurious locks.
* Strong finger nails and soft hands and feet.
* Weight loss and motivational tips and secrets – Achieve that sleek slender figure you have always wanted.
* Exercise Routines for bust, abs, hips, buttocks, thighs, calves and arms. Mold your body into a shapely figure that will start turning heads.
* Complete head to toe body message techniques – Relax and rejuvenate your body and spirit.
* 45 yummy smoothie recipes – Gain energy and build your perfect healthy body – includes protein bar recipes.
* Boost your self-esteem and energize your mind and spirit.
* Over 200 tips and tricks for losing extra pounds and keeping them off for a lifetime!  Read more...

Ok ladies, listen up. If there is *anything* that most women have in common, it is the following:

1) we want to look the best we can – for ourselves, for our mates, just because
2) we’re suckers for a slick marketing/advertising campaign
3) we’re too busy caring for and worrying about everyone else to pamper ourselves properly

Now….I don’t know about the rest of ya’ll but I can neither AFFORD all the crap that is advertised nowdays as the next ‘miraculous’ beauty treatment nor do I have the time to apply/use them all.

So, where is the common sense approach in all of this? And just so everyone know, every single thing I suggest here I’m going to DO for the next 30 days and report back. I’m as bad as the next working/busy mom – I do and do and do and fall into bed remembering all I didn’t get done – and doing for myself rarely makes the ‘done’ list.

Let’s take it step by step….  Read more...