Healthy Fall Comfort Food

The weather has turned chilly - must be time for chili! Check out this deliciously different and healthy Pumpkin Black Bean Chili recipe from Gracious Pantry.

We gave it a try and are certainly hooked! It is the perfect combination of hearty, with a touch of sweet and spicy. Plus, it is loaded with nutrition and fiber. Definitely a fall favorite comfort food!

Stay warm!

Help For Dry Skin

The arrival of cold weather brings the arrival of dry skin. Here are a few tips and techniques from the Skin Care for Your Soul blog to help keep your skin soft and smooth during the coming months!

General Tips To Prevent Dry Skin

• Drink plenty of water and/or coconut water to help keep your skin hydrated. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies to also increase hydration in your body.
• Try to avoid caffeinated drinks, as they dry out your skin. If you must have your coffee in the morning, drink an extra glass of water for each cup.
• Try to avoid alcohol, as it also dehydrates your skin.
• When headed outside, cover your skin as much as possible with clothing. Cover any areas of exposed skin with a thick lotion to prevent moisture loss.
• Apply lip balm frequently throughout the day, especially before you go outside.
• Keep baths and showers short and warm (not hot). Hot water dries skin out by stripping your skin of its natural oils. 
• Add fatty fish, like salmon, to your diet or take a good quality fish oil. The good omega-3 fatty acids help to keep skin moist.
• Avoid using harsh cleansers, soaps or exfoliants. These will only further strip your skin and lead to dryness.

General Tips to Treat Dry Skin

• Gently exfoliate dry skin with a brush, loofah or exfoliating gloves as part of your body cleansing routine in the shower before using any topical treatments (oils, lotions, etc.). Dry, flaky skin needs to be removed from the surface of skin to allow topical treatments to work more effectively. Be SUPER gentle if your skin is overly sensitive and use these items only a few times a week. Avoid them if you have any rashes, open wounds or general irritation.
• Avoid cleansing your entire body every day, especially with a foaming soap or body wash, as they can strip your skin. Skip a day of sudsing, or wash only those most important bits daily.
• Use a body wash of 1 part honey to 1 part oil (jojoba is lovely) a few times a week in place of your regular soap. Incorporate thicker body lotions/butters containing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil into your daily post-shower routine. 
• Apply lotions, body butters, oils, etc. immediately after showering while your skin is still damp. You want to capture the water and seal it into your skin.
• Avoid using products with artificial ingredients (artificial colors, fragrances or preservatives), as they can dry and irritate skin, too.

I Tried It!: The NEW Traveling Spa Body Polish!

Renew your skin with Marmalade Hills Sugar Body Polish.

Like many of us, I rarely make pampering a priority for myself. Work, home and family make for a hectic schedule and "me" time always seems to fall to the bottom of the "to do" list. Sound familiar?

Desperate for some relaxation, I recently booked a spa party with some close family to allow some time to catch up, slow down and reconnect. Feeling like I needed to renew my dry skin - along with my spirit - I booked the NEW Traveling Spa Body Polish treatment featuring Marmalade Hills Sugar Body Polish, a local handmade Michigan product. I was soooooooo happy I did!

Our wonderful massage therapist, Sheryl, gently exfoliated my skin with the Lavender Sugar Body Polish, which contains skin moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa butter and coconut oil. After my skin was scrubbed to perfection, the body polish was removed with warm, relaxing towels. I was then treated to a luxurious application of Marmalade Hills Lavender Silk Body Butter (the nicest body butter I have ever experienced!). The treatment was so relaxing and my skin was left glowing and feeling like velvet. It was so soft, I couldn't stop touching it when I went out on the town later that night!

This service is great before a special event, to soften dry skin or to just be good to yourself. Plus it is only $25 when added on to a massage or facial service (or only $45 as a standalone treatment)!

Marmalade Hills Sugar Scrubs and Body Butters are also available to purchase at your next spa party to continue your pampering at home.

Make yourself a priority today. You deserve it. :)

Love, peace and relaxation,

Camille
Traveling Spa Aesthetician

Celebrate Sandal Season with our June Special!

It's sandal season! Celebrate with $10 off a Pedicure when you book a European Facial at a June Traveling Spa party!

Also, if you host a party this month, you will also receive half off all of your regularly priced services and a FREE luscious lime lip balm as a special gift.

Break out your flip flops and call to book your party today (586-612-7900)!

The Top Natural Sunscreens & Sun Safety Tips: The EWG 2012 Sunscreen Guide

Photo from the EWG 2012 Sunscreen Guide

It's here! The Environmental Working Group has posted its 2012 Sunscreen Guide!

This is the most comprehensive, go-to guide for finding out the top rated and safest natural sunscreens, SPF lip balms, moisturizers and other cosmetics. 

Don't miss Sunscreens Exposed - the eye-opening section on mass marketed sunscreens and why they are so harmful to your skin and health. Sun Safety Tips offers a quick reference on how to pick a safe sunscreen and ways for adults, teens and kids to enjoy the sun safely.

Enjoy these beautiful, sunny days!

Traveling Spa Mother's Day Special Package!

Treat Mom (or yourself) to a day of relaxation. During the whole month of May, The Traveling Spa will pamper her with this special package:

Choose 2 of the following services for $75, or choose all three for $110!

• 30-minute Swedish Massage
• Relaxation Facial
• Spa Pedicure

As our gift to you, this package also includes samples of luxurious body care items from our new organic product line! 

Call us today to book your spa party and this special package!

Lunchtime Meditation

Need a few minutes to unwind during your hectic day? Check out the Meditation Room brought to you by Organic Spa Magazine.

Select from six different virtual environments, including forest, mountain and sea. You will be taken on an audiovisual journey to help you relax and escape from the daily grind. It's like taking a mini-vacation on your lunch hour!