My First Spa Night with Natural Cleansing Recipes

Oh, can I say how relaxed I feel?  After a long day with a little man who didn't want to nap, I fed him and put him to bed.  Then, fixed dinner and watched a little TV with hubby.  After the show we were watching went off, Gary said, "I will clean up the kitchen while you go use your Spa Bucket." My hubby reads all of my posts and I am very happy about that.  Love you boatloads, honey!!!  Kiss. You can read more about my "Spa Bucket" as my hubby calls it here {Gotta Relax}.

Well, I started by turning on our small room heater to heat the bathroom.  Baby, it is cold outside! I then ran a bath as hot as I could stand it - I know it isn't great for your skin, but the water gets cold too fast and I haven't had a hot bath in ages since I had Shingles.  I then propped my blowup pillow behind my head and slipped down into the water.  I had full intentions of reading the new Nicholas Sparks book, but I got caught up with Facebook. That has got to be the next thing put on my list of things I need to spend less time doing.

Anyway, I did relax.  I stayed in the tub until the water did get cold and I had to get out.  I then pampered my feet with a Pumice stone - the best time to rid your feet of ugly, dry skin is right after a long bath - and trimmed my toe nails.  Maybe a little TMI, but I haven't had a pedicure in ages either - something I am very willing to give up to save more money.  Who sees your toes in winter anyway. Then, I covered my feet with a Perfectly Posh Shea Butter stick and put on some cozy socks.

I then cleansed my face with my Perfectly Posh Mud Mask.

I must say that I did let everything go. And, I am all the better for it.

And now that I am super relaxed, I must get to bed.  I just had to share how relaxed I am by taking much needed time to myself.  I can now be a better wife and mommy tomorrow because of it.

Below are some all natural Spa recipes.  I got these at a Ladies Night Out weekend at the church I attended while in college.  I have recently washed my face with a honey/brown sugar scrub.  The brown sugar gets rid of the dry skin and the honey acts as an astringent.

Disclaimer: I have not tested these recipes before. Be cautious if you have allergies.

Cleansing Oatmeal and Honey Paste

Ground Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliator that removes dead surface cells

 and residue.  It can be used as a mild cleanser instead of soap and

helps restore the skin's moisture.  The combination of yogurt, which will soften 

the skin, and honey, a natural humectant, make for

an effective, everyday moisturizing cleanser. 

1/2 cup/115 ml. dry oatmeal (I eat Rolled Oats)

2 Tablespoons Honey (We buy ours locally from a farmer)

1/4 cup/60ml. plain yogurt or buttermilk 

Finely grind oatmeal in a blender or food processor.

In a small bowl, combine ground oatmeal, honey and yogurt.

Mix thoroughly until it has a paste like consistency. 

Smooth over face and neck and leave on for 15 minutes. 

Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Can be applied 

every day, preferably in the morning. 

Molasses Hair Wrap 

This treatment is incredibly easy to do and will add shine and 

moisture to your hair.  One word of caution: Stay away from Bees!

1/2 cup / 115 ml. molasses (or honey or maple syrup)

 (We buy organic Molasses from Costso which we use for making Kefir) 

Apply molasses directly to damp hair and 

massage into scalp.  Cover hair with shower cap or 

plastic wrap and leave in for 20 minutes. 

Rinse with warm water.  Shampoo as usual.

Mayonnaise and Avocado Hair Pack 

{For Dry Hair}

The combination of eggs and oil (from the mayo) and avocado

creates a wonderful conditioner for dry hair.  If you don't have 

time to make your own mayonnaise, then try to buy an all-natural product 

at a healthy food store. 

1 ripe avocado (to make sure it is ripe, take a peek under the 

dry little button on the stem end - if it is green, then the avocado will be perfect)

1 cup/230 ml. mayonnaise

In a small bowl, mash avocado and blend into mayonnaise.

Gently massage into scalp and hair.

Cover head with plastic wrap or shower cap and

leave for 20 minutes. 

Shampoo as usual. 

Thyme and Eucalyptus Back Relief Soak 

Thyme has been said to have been used for its medicinal properties as 

early as 3,500 BC.  Throughout history, thyme has been used to 

relieve asthma, coughs, colds; to kill yellow fever organisms; to 

reduce swelling provoked by gout; and to treat nervous disorders.  

The following recipe is recommended for 

anyone suffering from backache or joint pain.  

The eucalyptus oil enhances the effects of the thyme. 

15 drops thyme essential oil 

4 drops eucalyptus essential oil 

Mix oils in hot bath water and soak in it for 15 minutes. 

As I said, I have not tried these myself.  I have had the recipes since college and just haven't tried them all.  But, if you do try one, please stop back by to comment how it went.  I hope to try the hair ones this weekend.  This dry, cold weather will not be kind to my hair.