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

The Traveling Spa Now Offering Shellac!

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?

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

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

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!