Keep Your Skin Healthy

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

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

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

1. 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.
2. Reserve a few asparagus tips for garnish. Place remaining vegetable mixture in an electric blender and puree until smooth.
3. 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.
4. 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

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