DIY Spa Night for Self-Care

If you've been finding it more difficult to fall asleep lately, consider having a DIY spa night at home in order to coax yourself more readily into the arms of Morpheus. You can start by either soaking your feet in some warm water and Epsom salts, or soak your whole body by taking a hot bath with Epsom salts. Make the water as hot as you can stand and sit in the tub for at least 20 minutes, but ideally you would sit in the tub until the water becomes cool (please note: if you are pregnant, you should NOT make the water quite so hot). While soaking your feet or body, you can deep-condition your hair with a DIY hair mask, sip on some cucumber water or a smoothie, and listen to whale sounds or soothing music. 

Once you're adequately soaked, it's time to exfoliate with a citrus-salt scrub! Make your own easy-peasy scrub with just half a citrus fruit (orange, lemon, grapefruit, or lime), and some salt (sea salt is great if you have it, but regular old table salt will do just fine). Simply pour the salt onto a plate. If you like, you can add some essential oils, spices, or herbs (I like to add freshly ground Herbes de Provence, or fresh Rosemary). This salt mixture is then soaked up with the flesh side of your half-a-citrus. It will make a kind of paste that can then be massaged into your skin in order to eliminate dead skin. 

Then, don't forget to moisturize after you're done. Coconut oil or shea butter is best, as you want to avoid petroleum-containing lotions. If you do this process before bed, putting socks on your hands and feet will seal in the moisture, helping it to penetrate more deeply into your skin.

Finally, before you climb into bed, get on your foam roller in order to stretch out any tension stored in the body. Think of it as giving yourself a massage. Take your time with the foam roller, and allow yourself to relax as you foam roll your troubles away.

March Equinox Celebration

Minnesota weather in March might still be less than ideal, but at least spring, as defined by the astronomical calendar, begins this month. Yes, Monday March 20th will mark the vernal equinox, and the beginning of spring. On this date, the earth gets equal exposure to the sun and the moon, meaning we earthlings experience a perfect balance between light and dark. Thus, the time is prime for us to reflect on the balancing acts of our lives. Are we living in balance? How can we promote or sustain this balance throughout the rest of the year? To celebrate this celestial event, you are invited to a fire pit and pot luck celebration at my home beginning an hour before sunset (around 5 pm) until 9 pm on Monday March 20th. We can enjoy hot drinks, fizzy water, snacks, dessert, and think about or write out our intentions for promoting balance, review whether or not we are maintaining any previously set intentions, and also examine how we are balancing our internal and external work. You don’t have to talk about it, just be willing to think about it. Wildwood Tarot readings will also be available if people are interested. The full moon will occur this month on March 13th for those of us who want to take advantage of the prime time to shed unwanted things, patterns, or habits from our lives. Please text, call, or email if you'd like to attend the equinox celebration, or feel free to observe it on your own.

Usborne book party

Please join me on Sunday, March 26 at 4 pm for a traditional high tea and Usborne books. Think of this as an opportunity to relax, sip fragrant hot tea, and select a few special books to enjoy with the children in your life. You may also opt to shop online at: RELAX. The endocrine system is under-rated. The chemical balance of hormones affect the structure of our body and our experience of our world. If we live in a continual state of stress, our bodies age more quickly as the cortisol builds up in our systems. The body requires periods of deep relaxation to flush the excess cortisol out of the tissues. Massage provides a powerful opportunity to interrupt the activity of the adrenal glands while accelerating and improving the function of the lymph system. Schedule your session today by texting 612 205-4453 or book online at schedulicity.com or blooma.com. Looking forward to seeing you soon!