The Traveling Spa

Spa Recipe Inspiration!

2012-01-30T09:30:00.000-08:00

Photo of Spa Truffles from Travel to Wellness website.

Looking for a new recipe to spice up your next spa party or maybe just a new healthy recipe to try at home?

Check out this collection of spa recipes from Travel to Wellness. You can also sign up for their monthly newsletter for more of their yummy recipes from spas across the world.

We are definitely going to try out the Spa Truffles and Strawberry and Rose Petal Salad for Valentine's Day!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from The Traveling Spa! We hope that you had a joyful, restful holiday season! Wishing you joy and balance in 2012!

Eve Organics Skin Care Giveaway!

2011-10-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE to see how you can win an Eve Organics Balance skin care set!

The Traveling Spa has proudly used Eve Organics products in our skin care treatments for over a year. Here is your chance to try them at home! Good luck!

Next Week is SPA WEEK!

2011-10-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

Next week, October 10 - 16th is the 15th annual SPA WEEK! SPA WEEK is a celebration of the spa lifestyle, brought to you by companies in the spa and personal care industry.

Be sure to check out the SPA WEEK website, where you can enter to win a spa vacation to Vdara Hotel & Spa at City Center, Las Vegas, FREE STUFF from Allure Magazine, $500 in Youngblood cosmetics and much more.

If you are looking for a day spa experience, many spas across the country also participate in SPA WEEK, offering special discounts on packages throughout the week. Get your relaxation on!!!

DIY Honey Carrot Facial Mask

2011-09-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

The leaves are starting to fall and a cool breeze is in the air. The early Fall harvest is in full swing! Grab a cup of cider and check out this Skin Care for your Soul blog post for an easy and fun DIY honey carrot face mask!

Book a Fall Spa Party and Receive a FREE Spa Service!

2011-09-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

Photo from dreamstime.

Another wonderful summer has passed, the kids are back to school and we have a beautiful Michigan Fall to look forward to. With cooler weather arriving and keeping us cozy indoors, it is a great time to celebrate with a spa party.

If you book your spa party between now and November 11, you will receive a FREE 30 minute service of your choice! This is in addition to the 50% off services that you receive all of your services as a spa party host! Click here to view our spa service menu.

So gather up friends and family, warm up the spiced cider and relax! Contact us today at 586-612-7900 to book your party!

Visit The Traveling Spa on Facebook!

2011-08-22T17:21:00.000-07:00

Did you know that The Traveling Spa is on Facebook? Check us out at:

www.facebook/TheTravelingSpa

Do you have fun pictures from a past spa party? Or a comment about a service you love? Or maybe a service you would like to see offered? Post it on our Facebook page! We love to hear from all of you!

Got Mosquitoes?

2011-08-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

If summertime mosquitoes have taken a nibble, check out this post on a natural alternative to calamine for soothing itchy bites. It is safe for the whole family and can be made quickly with only three ingredients!

Sunscreen Smarts

2011-08-02T05:21:00.000-07:00

With all of the controversy surrounding sunscreen these days, it can be confusing as to how you should protect yourself and your family from the sun. This article from Ellen Sandbeck, author of Green Barbarians: Live Bravely on Your Home Planet gives a nice concise overview of how and when you should wear sunscreen.

For a list of safe sunscreens, check out the Environmental Working Group's Sunscreens 2011 Guide.

Book Your Summer Spa Party!

2011-07-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

We at The Traveling Spa hope you are having an amazing, fun, memory-filled summer! We still have dates available for your summer spa party! Get some relaxation in before the kids head back to school!

For our current list of services and contact information, please visit our website at www.thetravelingspa.net. And remember that, as the host, you will receive 50% off all of your spa services for the day!

We look forward to pampering you and your party guests!

Sincerely,
The Traveling Spa Staff

A Great Resource for Busy Parents and Happy, Healthy Kids: Nourish MD

2011-07-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

Photo by Dan Ionut Popescu.

Part of living a healthy, natural lifestyle is incorporating your family into that healthy, natural lifestyle. But with busy family schedules, it can often be hard to find the time to plan for healthy meals or research how you can best support your family's health.

Nourish MD is a wonderful site developed by Susan McCreadie, Holistic Pediatrician and Angelle Batten, MEd, Holistic Health Coach. This local team, based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan, offers information such as healthy, REAL recipes for your entire family, the safest personal care products for kids and adults, coupons for natural foods, recipes for natural household cleaners and more

Nourish MD also offers informative podcasts, videos and a store where you can easily purchase many health care products such as chemical-free sunscreen, natural bug spray and holistic flu prevention. They also have a great blog to keep you up to date on how they manage their own families' health day-to-day, that offers tips and lifestyle changes that are very realistic and easy to incorporate.

This is a really great resource. Support two of our local moms and check it out today!

Organic Spa Magazine 2011 Skin Care Issue

2011-07-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Organic Spa Magazine 2011 Skin Care Issue is now available! The issue features products from over 450 organic and natural companies and all the latest information on organic skin care.

The publication will be on newsstands for the next 4 months and is also available digitally on the Organic Spa Magazine website. Get your copy today!

2011-07-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

Photo from Dreamstime.

Happy 4th of July from all of us at The Traveling Spa! We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday! See you soon at your summertime spa party!

EWG 2011 Shopper's Guide

2011-06-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has issued their updated 2011 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. This handy printable reference lists the "Dirty Dozen" (the 12 produce items highest in pesticides and best to buy organic) and the "Clean 15" (the produce that is lower in pesticides and, therefore, OK to buy conventional).

This list can help in making decisions on produce when you are faced with either a limited selection or organic produce that is outrageously priced. And it fits right in your wallet!

Apps For Your Healthy Lifestyle

2011-06-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

Enhance your healthy lifestyle with these handy apps for your iPhone :

SleepStream™ Music Spa - Advanced Sleep Inducer and Energizer - Soothing music to help you fall asleep, relax or energize.
Organic Spa Magazine's Skin Care Guide - A comprehensive list of companies that offer natural and organic skin care.
iDetox Daily Detox Tips - Daily "small change" lifestyle tips to help you rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.
YOGA Free - 200 Poses & Yoga Classes - This app allows you to create your own yoga program based on your experience level with optional video showing you how to complete each pose.
Dirty Dozen - A list (from the Environmental Working Group) that helps you choose the fruits and veggies with the least amount of pesticides during your shopping trips.
Locavore - Recommends local farmer's markets, what is currently in season and recipes for using fresh, local produce.

Look for these helpful apps at the iTunes store. Many of them are totally free are also available for the iPad. Happy Apping!

Spa Cuisine At Home: Watermelon Gazpacho

2011-06-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

Photo from Dreamstime.

With summertime heading into full-swing, we surely want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the outdoors. This fast, healthy, no-cook Watermelon Gazpacho is loaded with nutrients and will keep you refreshingly hydrated on hot days. This cold soup is elegant enough for a dinner party, but casual enough for a backyard barbecue. You can even eat it for breakfast!

Watermelon Gazpacho

1 large seedless watermelon
3-4 Roma tomatoes
1 large cucumber (peeled)
1 red pepper
6 scallions (green and white parts)
Cilantro (optional)
Feta cheese (optional)

Cut the watermelon in half, scooping out all of the flesh. Blend the watermelon well in a blender or food processor.
Finely chop the tomato, cucumber, red pepper and scallions (green onions). If you like a chunkier soup, you can chop them coarsely.
Using half of the empty watermelon shell as a bowl, add the blended watermelon and chopped vegetables and stir until combined. Chill well in the refrigerator.
Serve with optional cilantro and feta cheese on the side as a garnish.

Sunburn Bath Remedy

2011-06-07T06:18:00.000-07:00

Ouch! We all end up with too much sun at some time or another, despite our best efforts to be diligent with sunscreen application. Soothe your sunburned skin with this easy bath remedy.

Sunburn Bath

1/2 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup aloe gel
1/4 cup honey

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and place into a drawstring muslin bag (found in the kitchen section of your local store), cheesecloth tied with a knot or an old sock secured with a rubber band (clean, of course!).
Run a tepid bath, letting the water run over the bag full of the blended ingredients.
Soak in the tub for 20 minutes and gently pat dry.

After leaving the bath, you can also then apply chilled witch hazel (easily found at your local drug store) with a small bottle to burned areas, followed by a final application of aloe gel.

Repeat this bath as needed to give your skin relief and assist in healing. Ahhhhh!

Safer Sunscreens

2011-05-31T08:46:00.000-07:00

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has posted their 2011 Sunscreen Guide! This is a super helpful tool to find sunscreens that are both safe and effective for you and your family. Not only do they offer their picks for the best sunscreens, SPF lip balms and SPF moisturizers, but you can also search the database to see how your current sunscreen stacks up against others.

In this report, EWG also includes important Sun Safety tips, as well as some interesting information exposing the "science and politics" behind the sunscreen industry.

Did you know that sunlight can cause chemicals in some sunscreens to release free radicals that damage skin? Or that there is no real proof that a higher SPF sunscreen works any better than a lower SPF one? This guide is full of information that might surprise you and make you think twice about your choice of sunscreen.

NEW Organic Lotions!

2011-05-23T08:10:00.000-07:00

The Traveling Spa is now offering locally crafted, organic body lotions from Mirror Lake Organics, based out of Imlay City, MI!

Mirror Lake lotions are made by hand in small batches, using local ingredients, when possible. They are free of pesticides and commercial fertilizers. They also do not include artificial fragrances, preservatives or dyes and are cruelty-free. All this AND they are priced affordably at $8.75 for an 8 oz. bottle, making it easy to incorporate chemical-free products into your daily lifestyle.

Lemon, is a bright, sunny citrus lotion that is great for everyday use, especially as a kitchen lotion, to use on hands after cooking or cleaning. Mojito is a minty, refreshing lotion great for an allover body pick-me-up or to rub on tired feet.

In addition to being available for purchase, we are also using these indulgent lotions in our nail treatments. Try them out at your next spa party! Your skin with thank you! :)

Take A Break From Technology

2011-05-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

It seems like life is so fast paced these days. With all of the technologies and social media available to keep us all connected 24/7, it is no wonder we sometimes feel drained. And it is a wonder we can get anything else done during our day!

Studies are now showing that it is really important for health of mind, body and spirit, that we take a break from the constant whirlwind of technology. But how are we supposed to do it while still maintaining social and professional relationships? It all comes down to balance and setting your own personal boundaries.

Here are some suggestions as to how you can decrease your time connected to your phone and laptop and offer yourself some daily, unconnected time...

Pick a scheduled time each day to return phone messages and emails. A good plan may be once in the morning to address messages from the day before and once in the late afternoon to answer messages from that day. If a call comes in between these times, feel free to let it go to voicemail, while you focus on other tasks for the day. Let the emails rest in your inbox during this time. They will still be there when you do get to them :)
Schedule time with yourself each day with your phone turned off and the laptop shut down. Spend this time doing something you love, whether it is a hobby, catching up on a good book or spending uninterrupted time with friends or family. Start with just 15 minutes each day and challenge yourself to add more time.
Offer people a window of time to reach you by phone each day. You can even put this time in your email signature or voice mail message, if it makes sense. This will allow for your calls to be taken more efficiently and both you and the person contacting you will benefit.
Take a look at your email subscriptions and unsubscribe to any that you don't read regularly to cut down on the bulk of emails.
Set a daily time limit for your interactions on social media sites, such as Facebook. Stay connected with friends and family, but be conscious of how much this virtual time takes away from other meaningful social interactions in real-life.
If you really feel like you need a technology break, try a weekly "technology fast." Pick a day of the week where your laptop stays shut and/or your phone is turned off. It will feel strange at first, but with regular practice, it will become a welcomed break.

Daily Spa Inspiration

2011-05-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

For daily tips on beauty, nutrition, fitness and the spa lifestyle sign up for Healing Lifestyles and Spas Daily Retreat and Renew email. You will receive a helpful tip in your inbox 6 days a week.

We love this recent tip on how to relieve allergies with yoga!

Aromatherapy Made Easy

2011-05-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

Photo taken from Amazon.com.

If you have ever been interested in aromatherapy, but just weren't sure where to start with incorporating it into your life, check out 21 Drops.

21 Drops creates 100% natural, organic and wildcrafted essential oil blends that you can use in everyday life to address anything from headaches to PMS. Each of their 21 different blends are crafted to address a specific concern or desired result. They also come packaged in a super-portable, easy-to-apply rollerball design that you can just slip into your purse or tuck in a desk drawer for aromatherapy emergencies.

You can bet that we here at the Traveling Spa will be trying the creativity-inspiring Blend 21: "Inspire" containing grounding sandalwood oil, as well as Blend 11: "De-Stress" with calming lavender and chamomile oils. If you are feeling especially adventurous, maybe Blend 6: "Passion" is for you!

Each bottle even comes with a statement of intent for the blend to help guide your mind to work along with your body as you experience it. How cool is that? The 21 Drops site also has helpful information to educate visitors as to how aromatherapy works, which is really nice if you are new to aromatherapy.

Not sure which one to try? 21 Drops has a downloadable blend key on the site to help you decide. With 21 different functional blends to choose from, they are definitely worth checking out! You can purchase the oil blends on the 21 Drops site or through Amazon.

Keep Your Skin Healthy

2011-04-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

Find out The Top 10 Things You Can Do To Keep Your Skin Healthy in this informative blog post from The Traveling Spa's very own Aesthetician, Camille, at her personal blog Skin Care for Your Soul™.

Detoxifying Salt Scrub

2011-04-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

Spring is a great time to think about detoxifying our bodies from the long winter. It is a natural time of renewal and rejuvenation for all living things. One easy way to support your body in detoxifying itself is with a salt scrub. Salt scrubs assist in removing debris from pores, increasing circulation and lymphatic flow and also act to soften and smooth skin.

Many packaged scrubs that can be purchased on the market contain ingredients that can actually be harmful to your body. Plus they can be outrageously expensive! Making your own salt scrub is easy, fun and inexpensive!

Most of the ingredients will already be in your kitchen. You can purchase the essential oils, if you choose to use them, at your local health food store. You can also use crushed, dried herbs or other plants, such as peppermint, lavender or chopped lemon peel in place of the essential oils.

Detoxifying Salt Scrub

4 cups salt (sea salt, epsom salt or any other salt you may have on hand - you can also mix different types and textures together)

1 cup oil (olive oil, coconut oil or safflower oil - you can even add a bit of honey in place of some of the oil for added moisture)

5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil (this is optional, but essential oils of lemon, orange, grapefruit, juniper and lemongrass are excellent choices for detoxification)

Mix all ingredients in a glass bowl with a spoon. Store in a glass, airtight container. Apply the scrub to dry skin, massaging in gentle circular motions, avoiding any areas that are sensitive or have abrasions. Rinse off in a warm shower and dry skin gently with a towel.

Spa Cuisine: Fresh Asparagus Soup

2011-04-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

Asparagus season is coming here in Michigan! What better way to celebrate the little green stalks than with a healthy, fresh asparagus soup?

According to the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board (who knew there even was one?), asparagus is a nutrient-dense food which is high in folic acid and is a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, Vitamins A and C, and thiamin. It contains zero fat, zero cholesterol and is low in sodium. Asparagus has also been used in traditional folk medicine as a diuretic.

At only 134 calories and 5.7 grams of fat per serving, this yummy soup is a healthy indulgence and a great alternative to a heavier, cream-based soup.

Ingredients

1 pound fresh asparagus
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 1/4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup soy milk
1/2 cup yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Place asparagus and onion in a saucepan with 1/2 cup vegetable broth. Bring the broth to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Reserve a few asparagus tips for garnish. Place remaining vegetable mixture in an electric blender and puree until smooth.
Melt butter in the pan that was used for simmering the asparagus and onions. Stir while sprinkling flour, salt, and pepper into the butter. Do not let the flour brown. Allow the mixture to cook only 2 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth and increase the heat. Continue stirring until the mixture comes to a boil.

Stir the vegetable puree and milk into the saucepan. Whisk yogurt into the mixture, followed by lemon juice. Stir until heated through, then ladle into bowls. Garnish with reserved asparagus tips. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe and photo from Allrecipes.com.

Turn Your Bathroom Into a Secret Spa Oasis

2011-04-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

Turn your bathroom into your secret spa escape with these simple, fun, inexpensive ideas:

Add small baskets of fresh or dried bundles of herbs to gently fragrance the air. You can also easily add their aromatherapeutic qualities to your bath. Place them in a drawstring muslin bag, attach them to the faucet and allow bath water to run through them. You can then use the bag to wash when bathing for an invigorating herbal treatment. Some great herbs to try are peppermint, rosemary, lemon balm and lavender.

Make your own reed fragrance diffusers to customize your space. For supplies and instructions, check out Bramble Berry. They have several fragrance oils to choose from.
Bring cozy, unexpected elements from your home into your bathroom. A cozy upholstered chair and ottoman or a simple rustic bench make a great place to lounge while changing or treating yourself to a home spa treatment.
Paint your bathroom a relaxing spa shade. Check out our previous post - Tranquil Interior Paint Trends for 2011.

Add lush houseplants to add an element of the living outdoors. The plants will love the humidity in the bathroom and some houseplants, such as spider plant and peace lily, actually purify the air in your home.
To make your bar soaps last longer, shave them with a vegetable peeler or cheese grater and place them in a small decorative bowl. One shaving is all you need to wash hands and you aren't left with a wet, sticky bar of soap!
Roll washcloths and hand towels and place them in a small decorative basket on the bathroom counter. You can do the same with bath towels in a larger basket placed on the floor.
In warmer weather, search for smooth round stones and shells near the water to scatter decoratively around the bathroom. Place a few stones around a candle on a small plate or tray. Or place a bunch in a decorative clear glass vase or bowl. You can also collect interesting pieces of driftwood or beach glass to place on the counter.

Place a small electric fireplace in a corner or against an open wall. The fire will keep the bathroom warm and add a nice glow.
Add a small, battery powered water fountain to your bathroom counter.
Display bath salts and other toiletries in unique, vintage glass jars or bottles found at your local thrift store.
Switch out your regular shower curtain with regular fabric window curtains for a cozy feel.
Add a dimmer switch to your regular bathroom switch to allow for dim, ambient lighting.
Place battery powered candles around the entire bathroom. They are easily lit at a moments notice and are a safer choice near shower curtains and towels.

These are just a few ideas! Share your own ideas with us as to how you have turned your bathroom into your own private getaway! Leave a comment below!

Photos courtesy of Camille Leinbach

The Traveling Spa Now Offering Shellac!

2011-03-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

A photo sent to us by Laura, a Traveling Spa client. This picture shows her Shellac manicure after 9 days.

The Traveling Spa is proud to now offer Shellac to its lineup of nail care services! Shellac is a revolutionary hybrid nail polish that blends traditional polish with the strength and wear of gel nails.

If you are looking for a longer-lasting option to the traditional manicure, Shellac is for you! Shellac goes on smooth and shiny, just like regular polish, but dries instantly - no smudges or nicks from fishing for your car keys in your purse! It stays shiny and also resists chipping and fading for 14 days!

The Shellac service takes the same amount of time as a regular manicure and, when you are ready to change your color, it removes from your nail in just minutes without damaging your natural nail. It is the perfect nail treatment for your busy lifestyle!

The Traveling Spa is currently offering the Shellac manicure for only $30. Plus, if you host a spa party, all of your services are 50% off, so for $15 you will get a manicure that lasts two weeks! Contact us today to book your party!

How Safe is Your Lipstick?

2011-03-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

It seems like there are infinite personal care products to choose from these days, often with an extensive list of ingredients that can't even be pronounced. How can you be sure that the products you are using on yourself and your family are safe? Check out the Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database.

The Cosmetic Safety Database is a free service offered by the Environmental Working Group that allows you to enter in the name of a product or ingredient and it will display the level of risk for anything from lipstick to baby wipes. You may be surprised at how your favorite products rate. A product with a low to moderate hazard is the best choice. Products with a high known hazard should be avoided. Unfortunately, even many products now advertised as "green" or "natural" rate in the high risk category. This site helps you to work around the advertising and media hype and make good, sound decisions on products.

To further assist you in making wise shopping decisions when purchasing personal care products, the EWG offers this handy downloadable Shopper's Guide to Safe Cosmetics to help you with your purchase decision. They also issue a Sunscreen Guide each year reviewing the safety of over 1,000 different sunscreen products.

Salt Lamps for Your Health

2011-03-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

The golden glow of a Himalayan salt lamp.

One of the hottest trends in spa treatments right now is the use of salt caves, or speleotherapy, for health and relaxation. Many spas are now emulating the benefits of European mineral healing spas by crafting their own treatment rooms lined with pounds and pounds of Himalayan salt to offer this unique treatment to their guests.

The salt caves are said to help relieve stress, skin conditions and respiratory ailments due to the release of negative ions and minerals from the salt. When these ions, saturated with minerals, are breathed into the body, they can help alleviate asthma and allergies and promote a deep sense of relaxation. A session involves relaxing in a comfortable chair and breathing in the pure air for a period of time.

Interestingly, Detroit city is actually built atop a huge salt mine, but the nearest spa offering this service right now is in Chicago. You can still get the benefits of a salt cave treatment in the comfort of your own home with a salt lamp.

Salt lamps work in the same way as a salt cave. When the lamp is plugged in, the negative ions from the salt are released, providing the air purifying benefits. These negative ions can also help to alleviate the positive ions put out by devices such as computers and cell phones.

Salt lamps come in many different sizes, shapes and prices. You can even get them made from salt from different areas of the world, the Himalayas or Poland, to name a few. They give off a relaxing, subtle light ranging from gold to orange and are a unique and beautiful addition to your spa decor. For maximum benefit, it is recommended that you place at least one salt lamp in each room of your home.

You can purchase amazing fair trade salt lamps online at Solay, which also offers stunning salt crystal necklaces and other items to support your healthy, natural lifestyle. If you live in the local suburban Detroit area, you can also often find salt lamps at Sweetgrass in Davisburg or Crystal Treasures in Pontiac.

The Power of Touch

2011-03-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Levi Brown

We all know that massage feels good, but research is now showing that it can also provide significant health benefits, including a boost in immunity. Check out this article from Oprah.com for scientific proof that you should treat yourself to that massage!

Tranquil Interior Paint Trends for 2011

2011-02-27T05:43:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of dreamstime.

It is amazing how a simple coat of paint can change the entire feel of a room. It is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to bring a spa ambiance into your home. Even just one wall painted in a soothing color can have a huge impact on your space and your mood.

The look in tranquil color trends for 2011 is MOODY. The "it" colors include misty gray/brown-based purples, strong, sophisticated grays, subdued yellow-greens and creams.

Grab a gallon of low VOC paint and add some of these colors to your home this Spring to refresh and calm your spirit...

Creams take on an earthy quality in colors of twine, sand and shell.

Taking a cue from nature, yellow-greens add a calm, clean feel to a room.

The purples seen now, sometimes bordering on almost black, have a dark, ethereal quality, with undertones of brown and gray. They would make a great accent wall paired with a gray in the rest of the room.

The grays this season are calm, almost gothic in feel. Think castle walls and Edgar Allen Poe.

Beat Winter Dryness with Avocado

2011-02-21T17:19:00.000-08:00

As we head toward the end of February here in Michigan, winter has surely taken its toll on our skin. In our Traveling Spa engagements, we have seen several clients with dry, lackluster skin in need of a little TLC. Thankfully, you can find some relief in your local supermarket with avocado.

This unassuming little fruit, wrapped in its own bumpy green package, is packed with almost 20 vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and healthy fats that our bodies need. According to the California Avocado Commission (CAC), avocados also boost the nutrient intake of other fat soluble foods that are eaten along with it.

Avocado oil, pressed from the vibrant green, pulpy part of the fruit that is eaten, is highly regarded for its moisturizing and regenerating effects on the skin. It is wonderfully emollient, which makes it great for dull, dehydrated, itchy winter skin. The pit of the avocado even proves useful when finely ground, as a very effective exfoliant to remove dry, flaky skin.

Just one little avocado can give you what you need for glowing skin and a healthy body. Try these recipes and see!

Avocado Facial Mask

½ ripe avocado (eat the other half for the nutritional benefits!)

1t honey

Blend ingredients in a blender or food processer until smooth. Apply to freshly cleansed face and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Remove with a warm, wet cloth and rinse completely with lukewarm water. Follow with your favorite toner and moisturizer. Before composting the avocado skin, rub the inside of it on the backs of your hand for a quick moisture boost!

Tropical Body Polish

1 avocado pit

Juice of ½ lime

1/3 cup warmed coconut oil (found in the natural foods section of your local market)

After removing the avocado pit from the fruit, wash it gently and let it dry on your kitchen counter for about a week (it should be dry, but not shriveled). Using a coffee grinder, grind the pit into a fine powder.

In a small bowl, blend the ground pit, lime juice and coconut oil. Apply to dry skin using gentle circular motions. Take care not to scrub hard on sensitive areas, such as chest and breasts. Avoid using this scrub on the face or any skin that is irritated, sensitive or cracked or on skin with cuts, rashes or abrasions.

Rinse the scrub off in the shower with warm (not hot) water, pat dry and follow with your favorite body lotion or crème. You'll feel like you went on a tropical vacation without even leaving your bathroom!

Welcome to Spaaah!

2011-02-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Spaaah! - a new blog brought to you by The Traveling Spa. Spaaah! is dedicated to bringing you information on how to create the spa lifestyle in your own home, whether it is creating a cozy spa ambience, whipping up spa cuisine in your own kitchen or making your own spa-quality bodycare products.

The staff at The Traveling Spa has over 15 years experience in both the day spa and wellness fields and we look forward to sharing our knowledge. Sign up to recieve our weekly blog issues and we will help you turn your home into an inviting, relaxing oasis!