GRACE Newsletter - July, 2010
Welcome beautiful reader, to the July edition of "Grace"!
When I received my own "July" newsletter from a very well known author of many best selling books, late last evening, I somehow did not feel quite so awkward (or alone) in getting my July newsletter out to you, now (July 22nd).
Life is so blissfully busy, that I have come to the realization that everything that we are creating is in DIVINE TIMING and quite simply, in PERFECT ORDER.
With that being said, I hope that this newsletter is finding you blissfully well and enjoying a most relaxing summer.
The entire sumer season reminds me of complete and utter relaxation, a time of reconnecting with yourself and with your loved ones. A time to balance out all of the "busy- ness" that seems to occupy the rest of our yearly calendar of events.
And, these busy times do create stress.
And we ALL know about that!
During these busy moments in our lives, we are not even aware of the detrimental impact of stress.
The body goes through pronounced changes that not only penetrate our conscious state of awareness, but create an imbalance in our physiology, as well.
These physiological imbalances include;
*Increased heart rate
*Increased blood pressure
*Increased breathing
*Increased stress hormone release
*Sweating
*Weakened immunity
*Clotting of blood platelets
*Muscular constriction
*Intestinal dysfynction
AND
*Circulatory imbalances
Achieving "balance" is not only an ideal thought, but is VITAL to our overall wellbeing. Our very body, mind and soul connection thrives on and replenishes vital nutrients from a balancing practice of nutrition and harmonious activities.
As a very busy Mother to an awesome child, two very rambunctious dogs, three lively mice, a whole aquarium of happy, colorful fish and one incredibly, easy-going black horse-as well as being a yoga teacher and writer AND~living in Los Angeles (and dealing with hideous traffic), I sometimes find that I simply do not have the time to enjoy therapeutic, balancing activities. Oh, and one more activity to my repertoire~ remodeling!
Wow! When I really think about it, I realize how very important balance actually is!
Some of my favorite ways to balance out my busy life are yoga, meditation, hiking, running, cooking, gardening, and just relaxing on the beach with my daughter, friends and family.
And then there is the day spa~aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Equally as important as it is to take care of the physical needs of relaxation, it is crucial to take care of the emotional and spiritual needs, as well. One of the most therapeutic ways to relax, is to indulge in pampering the largest organ of our bodies......the skin!
If making it to the day spa for a rejuvenating facial, or a restorative manicure and pedicure or a therapeutic body massage or to the salon for a deeply penetrating hair conditioning treatment is NOT in your schedule (or wallet), then I have the perfect solution for you!
One of the best ways that I know to pamper yourself, is indulging in fabulous facial treatments and to condition the hair with luxurious scalp massage therapies.
Summertime tends to throw our complexion and hair our of whack due to warmer weather changes, sun damage, travel and sports programs.
For this reason, I have designed beautifully exquisite home remedies for your enjoyment!
All preparations should be refridgerated and will last up to 3 weeks, if stored properly.
Go ahead. Relax. Indulge in these beautiful treatments and embrace a wholesome, new YOU!
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I have designed 3 simple, yet luxurious, skin care programs that will compliment several types of complexions.
1.) Normal/Oily complexions
2.) Normal complexions
3.) Normal/Dry complexions
*For the Normal Complexion~
Cleansing; 1/2 cup of glycerine, ! oz of acacia honey and 1 liter of still mineral water and 1 grated cucumber.
(Combine all ingredients in a glass mixing bowl and store with a tight fitting lid). RInse face with fresh water and apply cleanser. Massage in circular motion. Rinse with warm water. Look at your skin glow! Gently pat dry and apply toner of choice.
Toning; 13 drops of Rosemary EO, 1 liter Chardonnay Wine.
(Simmer for 3 minutes and allow to cool completely, then refrigerate. This stimulating toner has antiseptic properties and is quite soothing. It will also hydrate the skin and has a profound anti-wrinkling effect.). With clean hands, apply to the palms of the hands and massage into the skin. Allow to dry, then apply moisturizer of choice.
Moisturizing: 1/2 ounce of beeswax, 3 ounces of sweet almond oil, 5 tablespoons of rosewater and 7 drops of rose EO.
(Heat beeswax in a stainless steel pan and allow to cool slightly. Add the remaining ingredients and store in a glass container. Refrigerate. Apply to face and throat, both in the day and evening.
*For the Normal to Oily Complexion~
Cleansing; 2 egg whites, 2 teaspoons of avocado oil, 4 teaspoons of lemon juice, 2 ounces of chickpea flour, 20 drops of marigold EO, 13 drops of lemon EO.
(Mix all ingredients in a GLASS mixing bowl and store in a glass container. Store in refrigerator. This excellent cleanser will last about 4 days). Fill a basin with warm water. Splash face with this water. Add cleanser to the palms of hands and apply to face in a circular motion. Rinse face with the basin filled water 20 times. Drain basin. Rinse face with cool water 20 times. Enjoy!
Toning; 2 cups of still mineral water, 1cup of witch hazel, 7 drops of clary sage EO, 7 drops of eucalyptus EO, 13 drops of lavender EO and 7 drops of lemon EO. After cleansing the face and throat, apply this toner to the hands and massage into the skin. Allow to dry then apply moisturizer.
Moisturizing; 1 ounce of cocoa butter, 1 ounce of beeswax, 1 ounce of sweet almond oil, 1 teaspoon of avocado oil, 1 teaspoon of wheatgerm oil, 3 teaspoons of honey, 13 drops of lemon verbena EO and 13 drops of lavender EO.
(Heat cocoa butter and beeswax in a stainless steel pan until smooth texture is achieved. Allow to cool slightly, then combine remaining ingredients. Store is a glass container and refrigerate). This luxurious moisturizer will hydrate the skin and regulate excess oily complexions. Apply to freshly cleansed skin.
*For the Normal to Dry Complexion~
Cleansing; 3 ounces of whole milk, 2 ounces of honey, 2 teaspoons of chamomile oil, 1ounce of whole wheat flour, 7 drops of chamomile EO, 3 ounces of still mineral water.
(Place all ingredients in a blender and mix on high speed for one minute. Store this cleanser in a glass container. Rinse face with warm water. Apply cleanser in a circular motion to face and throat. Rinse face with warm water~then follow with a cool water rinse. Pat skin dry and follow with toner.
Toning; 1 cup of rosewater, 1/2 cup of glycerine and 1/2 cucumber, and 3 ounces of orange juice.
(Place ingredients in a blender and mix on high speed for 1 minute. Store in a glass container. This remarkable toner will hydrate the skin, even out the skintone, reduce the signs of aging and prepare the pores to receive the following, remarkable moisturizer. Apply to freshly cleansed skin with the finger tips.
Moisturizing; 1 ounce of beeswax, 1 ounce of cocoa butter, 1 teaspoon of soya lecithin, 3 teaspoons of jojoba oil, 3 teaspoons of avocado oil, 3 teaspoons of marigold oil, 1 teaspoon of white clay, 1 ounce of horsetail stems, 2 ounces of still mineral water, 3 drops of clove EO, 7 drops of orange EO.
(The following instructions must be followed in precise order, please!
*Place the water and the horsetail in a stainless steel pan and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat source and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Strain this decoction into another saucepan then add the white clay. This will create a gel. Place this back on the stove and while stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool until lukewarm. Using the "bain-marie method" in another stainless steel pan, combine the beeswax, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, jojoba oil, avocado oil and marigold oil. Heat for 3 minutes. Add the decoction mixture to this mixture, which is gently being heated with the bain marie technique. Mix with a handheld electric mixer. Remove from heat. Replace the boiling water from the outer stainless steel pan, with cool water and ice. Continue to mix this mixture with a wooden spoon until it thickens. Add the essential oils and place into a glass container. Store in the refrigerator. This is an absolutely exquisite emollient cream for very dry, sensitive skin. It will protect the skin from natures elements and is also quite lovely for infants that suffer exema. Apply to freshly cleansed and toned skin. Enjoy!
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*Steam Treatment ~ Enjoy this simple, yet very effective steam treatment once a week. It will open the pores and cleanse the impurities that have somehow nestled into them! It will also prepare the skin to receive masque treatments.
~ 1 ounce of marigold flowers, 1 ounce of chamomole flowers, 1 ounce of lavander flowers, 1 ounce of marjoram leaves, 1 ounce of walnut leaves, 1 ounce of rosemary leaves, 1 ounce of sage leaves, 1 ounce of lime blossoms, 1 ounce of thyme leaves, 2 liters of mineral water, 1 ounce of clay, 1/4 cup of witch hazel 13 drops of lavander EO.
(Place flowers and leaves into a stainless steel saucepan and add 3 cups of purified water. Bring to a boil. Remove pan from the stove and place on a table. With a bath towel draped over your head and shoulders and keeping a safe distance so as not to scald your beautiful self, lean your face over the pan and allow the steam to do its job~which is to open up the pores and relax the skin). This may be enjoyed for a few minutes. Next, rinse the skin with warm water and follow with either masque treatment.
NOTE: Please save this lovely toner and store in a glass container in the refrigerator. It makes a very therapeutic toner, as well! It is fabulous for tired, dehydrated skin who's taken it's toll from the outdoor elements, as well as post surgery procedures.
*Deep cleansing masque~ Place the 1 ounce of clay into a glass mixing bowl. Add 1/4 cup of the floral steam mixture, witch hazel and 13 drops of lavander EO. Combine to make a thick paste of preference. Apply this masque to the face that has received the steam treatment. Allow to dry then rinse with warm water and follow your specific skin type regime. Enjoy!
*Hydrating masque~ 3 apples (seeds, stems, rind-all of it!), 7 teaspoons of lemon juice, 3 teaspoons of almond oil, 3 teaspoons of wheatgerm oil, 2 egg whites, 30 drops of marigold EO.
(Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix on high speed for 1 minute). Apply to the face and throat that has received a steam treatment. Lie down and relax for at least 1/2 hour! Next, rinse with warm water and follow with your specific skin type cleansing regime! A note about this exquisite gem of a masque; Apples contain remarkable healing properties as the lovely pulp contains mucilage, pectin, organic acid, vitamins and mineral salt. It will improve the complexion by evening out the skin tone, hydrating the fine lines, reduce inflamation and simply counteract the vicissitudes that life brings. ENJOY!
*Facial Scrub~ I have designed a beautiful facial scrub and encourage one to use it two or three times a week. It will remove dead skin cells and really give the complexion quite a pick me up! It is listed in the Vine and Fig Tree, under the "External Cleansing" page of my on line virtual healing spa. ENJOY!
AND NOW FOR THE HAIR!!!
Here is a fabulous hair and scalp treatment that I have designed. It will deeply condition the hair and soothe an irritated scalp. Please use this once a week to restore your hair, back to its original, balanced state of "GEORGEOUS"!
*HEATHER'S ONCE-A-WEEK HAIR CONDITIONING TREATMENT~
3 teaspoons of sweet almond oil, 1 whole avocado, 1 cup of ghee, 20 drops of lavender EO, 2 egg yolks, 7 teaspoons of honey, 3 teaspoons of lemon juice.
(Combine all ingredients in a blender for about 1 minute. Apply to freshly washed hair, then wrap hair in a towel for about 1/2 hour. I love to enjoy this hair treatment when I am indulging in one of my masque treatments. Shower off the treatments and follow with your hair and facial cleansing rituals. ENJOY!
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In practicing these very gentle, yet effective home therapy remedies, your body will be more in balance. You will feel better in your body. Your physiology will have achieved;
~Decreased heart rate.
~Decreased blood pressure.
~Quieter, more relaxed breathing.
~Reduction in stress hormone production.
~Strengthened immunity.
~Relaxed muscles.
~Intestinal balance.
~Circulatory regulation and balance.
And, because your body feels so much better, your mind will naturally be more at ease.
And, because your body and mind feel more balanced, your SOUL will truly shine with all of the brilliance of YOU!
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As you have noticed, all of the ingredients that I have chosen to use in my beauty preparations, are from our beloved Mother Earth~the true source of all beauty. Please take a moment and give a word of praise to our beloved goddess of July!
The Goddess energy of July is blessed by "ADEPHAGIA".
This amazing goddess was the greek goddess of "gluttony". Rather than over eating, she transformed her sensuous, excessive appetite into producing bountiful harvests, as she showered the earth and the farmers with immense blessings and love.
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A GIFT FOR YOU!
For those of you who are receiving Grace, I would like to gift you with a 3 month subscription to The Vine and Fig Tree. I do hope that you will find it of some value and will enhance your overall health in body, mind and in soul.
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