Take A Break From Technology

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...

1. 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 :)
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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

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

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

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