Spa Intoxication Blog

Healthy Juice Recipes

We all know that regular eating of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of chronic diseases, cardiovascular disease and cancer. We know we are supposed to but yet most people have a hard time meeting their recommend daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Making fresh juice is an easy and tasty way to help meet your daily requirement of fruits and vegetables.

To be perfectly clear, when we say "juice" we are talking about rich mixtures of fresh fruits, vegetables, and even herbs.. We are not talking about the sugar sweetened watery essences of apples, cranberries, or grapes that come in bottles or cans. The latter, explains Joan Carter, R.D., a Houston-based spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, are mostly sugar and water and contain few of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber you get from eating the actual fruit. "But fresh juices, squeezed in such a way that you get most of the pulp, are rich in nutrients, including soluble fiber, which lowers blood cholesterol," she says. "They give you a much bigger nutritional bang for your buck."

The juice recipes here, each of which combines a range of flavors, make meeting your recommended daily requirements a pleasurable task. They are seasonal juices, meaning that they call for ingredients found fresh at a particular time of year. The juices can be made in a juicer but if you don't have one, a regular blender will do.

Because they're so quick and easy to prepare, the juices make a perfect snack when you are on the go. But they are also quite a nice treat so you just might want to take a break, kick back and savor them instead.

Each recipe makes approximately one 12-ounce serving. If you are using a juicer, cut large ingredients into chunks and adhere to the directions provided with your machine. If you are using a blender, cut ingredients into one-inch chunks.

Yummy and Healthy Juice

For the best juice results it is recommended to:

1.Use organic fruits and vegetables for juicing whenever possible.

2. Wash all juice ingredients well, including organic fruits and vegetables.

3. Drink the juice as soon as possible, ideally within a few minutes and before three hours. Vitamins and minerals lose their potency over time and juices can spoil easily. For health and safety reasons you should store juice in refrigerator and keep the juice for no more than one day.

Seasonal Juice Recipes:

Spring Juice - Cucumber, Celery & Spinach Juice

2 large cucumbers, peeled
4-6 stalks of celery, ends trimmed, soaked in water for an hour before juicing.
1/4 cup spinach, washed well

Summer Juice - Pineapple, Orange & Lemon Juice

1/3 fresh pineapple, peeled and cored
1 medium orange, peeled
1/2 lemon, peel intact

Fall Juice - Carrot, Apple & Beet Juice

2-3 large carrots, peeled if non-organic
2-3 large apples, peeled if non-organic or waxed, core and seeds intact
1 medium beet, washed well

Winter Juice - Pear, Ginger & Parsley Juice

6-8 pears, washed well, core and seeds intact
1/2-inch fresh gingerroot, peeled
1/4 cup fresh parsley, washed well

Enjoy and happy juicing!

Spas for Babies?

Spas are catering to children more and more. This provides and opportunity to get the next generation engaged in spa related activities early, ensuring the future health of the spa industry. This also provides an incentive for mothers to choose a particular spa to unwind at. Some offer day care services while mother's are being pampered. Other's provide spa services geared toward the little ones.

Skin Spa Baby Spa in Encino, CA provides much more than infant supervision and day care. They deliver a full menu of spa treatments and classes for both mother and child. Glance over their menu and you will see a wide range of treatments, from your standard massages and facials to more elaborate classes for yoga, pilates and Biodanza. I think it's a very unique market and am sure that it's been a big hit. Check out the video to see what it's all about.

Homemade Honey Facial Mask

In light of the favorable response to our post on the homemade brown sugar scrub recipe, I want to share another of my favorite homemade spa recipes with you. This recipe has helped my complexion soooo much. This egg and honey beauty mask is a great facial treatment for acne sufferers and also is great for those suffering with dry skin woes. In addition, with a slight alteration, this facial mask can be used for those who have a problem with oily skin on their face.

Ingredients You Will Need

1 Raw Egg
2 Tablespoons of Honey
Splash of Milk
1 tsp Vitamin E oil

Raw Egg On My Face?

Yes! Some people can't get over the idea of putting egg on their face as a skin treatment. I admit I was at first a little hesitant about putting raw egg on my skin I quickly got past that after my first try. The honey in this recipe overpowers the egg smell, and when this facial mask is applied it is not nearly as thick as you would imagine it to be.

The benefit of using egg in this facial mask is that when the face mask dries, the egg proteins contrict on the facial skin. This puts pressure on the upper layer of skin on the face. When you wash the mask off you also wash off loose skin cells.

I personally use egg yolk for this recipe as I have naturally dry skin and the Phoenix, Arizona climate just dries it out more. If you have normal-dry skin I suggest using the yolk. If you have normal - oily skin you should use the egg whites for this facial mask.

Making the egg and honey facial mask:

Seperate the egg yolk from the egg white. If you have normal - dry skin use the egg yolk, and if you have normal - oily skin use the egg whites. Place the portion that you are going to use in a small bowl. Add the honey and mix a little bit.

Now add the vitamin E oil and a very small amount of milk. If you use too much milk, the consistency of the facial masque will be too liquidy and the mask will not apply properly.

Mix up the facial mask mixture again and place it into a small container for storage. The facial mask can be stored for up to a week in the refrigerator.

Using Your New Homemade Facial Masque

It is best to use the facial mask after you shower but it can be used whenever you have the time. Make sure to clean your face thoroughly before applying the mask. If you are unable to shower before hand I would suggest rinsing your face with warm-hot water or place a wash cloth soaked with warm-hot water on you face for a minute or two. This will open up the pores in your face and allow the mask to nourish your skin to the fullest extent. If you are a male, then make sure to shave prior to using this mask.

Once your face is primed, pat your face dry and secure any hair away from the face. Stir the face mask mixture a little with your finger to ensure it's consistancy then begin application. Use 2-3 fingers to scoop a small amount of the mixture and begin applying in to your face in small circular motions. Make sure to cover your whole face. This facial mask can also be used on your neck, and upper chest. If I'm in a hurry and it will be a pain to clean I simply apply to my face, but if I have the time I use it on my neck and chest as well.

Now simply let the facial mask dry and let it sit for 10-20 minutes. When the wait is up, wash the mask off with warm water. When it is fully washed off, rinse your face with cold water to close your pores up. After you are done you can apply any acne fighting cream, moisturizers or makeup that you need.

Notes:

If the mixture was stored in the fridge prior to use, it is best to let it warm before application. I will set the container in the bathroom while I shower and that is usually enough.
DO NOT MICROWAVE TO WARM! Unless of course you are hungry for some scrambled eggs.
DO NOT USE IF ALLERGIC TO ANY INGREDIENTS! Self explanatory.
Be careful when applying to the skin near the eyes.

You will probably notice an immediate difference, and if you apply this every 1-2 days it should make big changes to your complexion. Personally this has practically eliminated my blackheads, acne is rare and easily manageable and my facial skin is firmer with tighter pores. What more can you ask from a simple do it yourself facial mask! So give it a try and I hope you enjoy the same results I did.

Brown Sugar Scrub Recipe

Sugar scrubs have become a part of my daily bath ritual. Once I experienced the benefits of exfoliating my skin with a nourishing sugar scrub I haven't stopped using them. Many of you use commercial sugar scrubs as well on a regular basis. While there are many commercial sugar scrubs that are absolutely divine, sometimes you run out or are needing to save a bit of money and need to cut out some personal luxuries. There are many homemade spa recipes that can get you through the times you can't have you're premium bath products. Why live without, if you don't need to!

The Homemade Brown Sugar Scrub

This is one of my favorite brown sugar scrub recipes simply because of how quick and easy it is to make and how great it exfoliates my sensitive skin, leaving it silky smooth. I prefer brown sugar scrubs over white cane sugar scrubs most of the time due to the sensitivity of my skin and the smell of brown sugar is much better in my opinion. There are many varieties to this basic recipe and you can play with it until you get the sugar scrub just right for your skin type.

Ingredients You Will Want For Your Brown Sugar Scrub

1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Sweetened Almond Oil
1 tsp Vitamin E (I cut open a couple Vitamin E liquid gel caps)
1/2-1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Optional Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

The amount of almond oil you use will depend on your personal preference and skin type, experiment with more or less oil until you get your perfect mix.
You can substitute the almond oil for pure sesame oil (not roasted). extra virgin olive oil, vegetable oil or any other oil you like that is suitable for the skin. I prefer almond oil due to the many benefits of almond oil on the skin.
In place of the vanilla extract you can use your favorite essential oil or fragrance oil. Or if you are in a pinch you can leave it out altogether as it's mainly included for added aroma.
The Vitamin E is also not a necessity but it adds some skin nourishment to the brown sugar scrub.
You can add a little honey for extra moisturizing on dry skin.

To make the brown sugar scrub simply mix the Almond oil, vanilla extract and Vitamin E in a properly sized bowl, add the brown sugar and mix it all together. Separate the mixture into a couple of nice glass containers if you wish, otherwise a Tupperware will do.

Using Your New Homemade Sugar Scrub

Shower or bathe in moderately warm water. It is ideal to apply the sugar scrub after shaving but is not necessary if you are in a hurry and unable to find time to shave. Massage the brown sugar scrub in gentle circular motions from your shoulders to you feet. Focus on dry skin and rough patches where needed. Don't be rough with the scrub as it's not necessary to get a good exfoliation with sugar scrubs and could damage your skin.

When finished, rinse off the brown sugar scrub with warm water. Some people prefer to wash with soap prior to the scrub and do not use soap after rinsing off, others prefer to start with the sugar scrub and then wash with soap. Some people even believe there is no need to use soap when using these scrubs (I am not one of them. Germs people!). I usually will soap off before applying the scrub and when I am finished I rinse off with water and use a small amount of soap if my skin feels too oily. I do prefer letting the almond oil set in to my skin as that is one of the benefits of this sugar scrub.

Although it's not a complete replacement for playing with the variety of luxurious sugar scrubs that are out there, it definitely will not disappoint and it is better than a lot of the commercial sugar scrubs that I have tried. Give it a shot and enjoy the simple inexpensive homemade brown sugar scrub.

Homemade Daily Beauty Routine

Combine your new homemade brown sugar scrub with our latest home spa recipe:
Homemade Facial Mask Recipe
made from honey and egg for an invigorating beauty ritual!

New Articles Posted on Spa Playground

Just a note that we recently added some new articles to Spa Playground. In the skin care section we added an article on the benefits of almond oil for skin care.

Also In the spa treatments section we added articles on both the Perfector non-surgical face lift and the Arasys inch loss system.

We hope to get more unique articles up soon. In the meantime we hope you enjoy these articles and learn something beneficial from them.

Experience with the Arasys Perfector Treatments

Two weeks ago a couple that I am friends with went to the Los Angeles. While there they managed to find time to visit the Spa / Resort and Medical Spa Expo being held over the weekend. At the expo they came across a booth for the Arasys and the Perfector Spa Treatments. Being the curious cats that they are, they participated in a demo of these treatments to see what the hype was about. They had never heard of the Arasys or the Perfector before but were intrigued by the claims made by the presenters of the treatments.

Demo of the Arasys

They were given an overview on how the Arasys works and warned of side effects that may occur during the first treatment. The side effects are minor, and don't affect everyone. First time side effects are typically dehydration and nausea as the body gets used to the treatment.

Before starting they were asked to drink a significant amount of water as the procedure significantly dehydrates your body (like a normal workout). They each went through the procedure and Mark had felt the full force of the side effects described to them. He was nauseous, and felt extremely dehydrated after the procedure. It took him a few hours and a lot of water to feel normal again. Donna did not have the extreme side effects like Mark. It was intense for her but not uncomfortable.

Picture from the ArasysPerfector's website.

When the procedure was done they both noticed the effects. They felt like they had a great workout but were not worn out. Also their clothes were looser. Donna had described her pants as being loose enough to put a finger width in between her body and the pants prior to the treatment. After the treatment she was able to get a width of over three fingers. Nice and quick results for a first time treatment!

Trying Out the Perfector

Donna also tried out the Perfector face lift at the expo. The Perfector is designed to provide a non-surgical facelift. It uses complex waveforms and adjustable voltage to provide a high definition signal that is designed to emulate the signals sent from the brain to repair tissue.

The Perfector procedure is very simple. They apply a thin coat of gel to your face and then rub to metal probes across the areas being treated. The only sensation is that of a cold metal running over your skin. Some people feel a sense of relaxation and sleepiness while being treated.

Picture from ArasysPerfector website.
Left picture shows right half of face treated.

They first did half of her face so that she could see the difference the Perfector made. The side of the face that was treated was significantly tighter and lifted while the other side was unaffected. They resumed and finished the other side of her face.

She was ecstatic about the results. The procedure was very simple and the results were seen immediately. She knew that she was going to be getting the Perfector procedure done again in the near future.

Continuing Arasys / Perfector Treatments

Overall they were very impressed with both the Arasys and the Perfector. They were excited enough to continue treatments when they got back home. They have been getting done treatments multiple times a week to start off. They are noticing a big difference, in that they are feeling better, losing weight and looking better. I can notice a difference in them as well. Both are looking slimmer and Donna's skin looks great.

If you are interested in trying the Arasys or the Perfector, you will want to find a spa near you that is offering this treatment. The device costs over $30,000 so unless you are well off you won't be getting one of these for home use. Availability may be limited in your area. Here in Phoenix there are only 2 places to get treatments done. One is an upscale spa in Scottsdale, and the other is a cosmetic surgery business where it is used to rehabilitate skin after surgeries.

There is a treatment locator at the ArasysPerfector website to see who is offering sessions in your area. It is on the bottom left of their contact us page. The treatment prices will depend on the business offering them and the city you are in. Prices can range anywhere between $100-$250 per session. It's not cheap but from what I've seen, the treatments are worth the price.

Colorful Bathtub Mood Lighting

Perhaps instead of risking fire damage and physical injury by using spa candles for mood lighting I should use these safe battery operated spa lights. They float, they stick, they change colors and they look great. The idea seems great; I haven’t tried these myself but they look like a nice alternative to candles.

I really like the fact that they can stick to the bathtub or to the wall as well as float around in the tub. In a big bath tub these could make the perfect mood lighting. I do see the downside of having to use a bunch of the spa lights to get the proper effect. Which means storing them, taking them out to use and putting them back might be a chore. That being said I may need to try these bathtub lights out.

Relaxing, Invigorating Snake Massage... Ummm

Getting bored with your normal spa treatments? Interested in trying something new? How about having 6 snakes slither across your body for half an hour while getting a massage from a masseuse?

Snake massage is exactly what Ada Barak is offering her customers at her Israeli spa. Customers are said to really enjoy this. Now I’m not afraid of snakes but I just don’t think I could do this myself.

The snakes are non-venomous of course; comprising of corn snakes, milk snakes and California and Florida king snakes giving you the massage you never thought you’d have. The cost is around $70 U.S. for the full treatment, airfare is not included.

Jelly Candles That Warm More Than Your Heart.

If you use Spa At Home’s Everlasting Jelly candles then should know that they have just been recalled due to a fire hazard. There have been 7 reports of the flame igniting something nearby, and also 4 reports of hand burns, supposedly due to excessively high flames.

I can’t help but wonder how those numbers compare to any other candles with the same quantity distributed. Those numbers don’t seem all that alarming and I would think that it's about average. Especially given that most candle accidents are the fault of the consumer. I wonder if these people read Spa At Home’s Safety Tips? It must be significant if they were driven to recall the product.

If you happen to own some of these candles you can contact M & A Global Technologies at (866) 224-8811 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to arrange for their return and to get your replacement or reimbursement.

Welcome to Spa Intoxication

The Spa Intoxication Blog has finally launched along with Spa Playground and the Spa Business Blog. We are eager to get started and excited about finally launching Spa Playground. We hope to provide spa lovers the ultimate resource in spa information, specials and fun.

Spa Intoxication Is...

Spa Intoxication is a blog focusing on everything related to the spa lifestyle from the spa lover’s point of view. We will be giving opinions, tips and reviews on spa treatments, services, spa products, homemade spa recipes, health, wellness, beauty, relaxation, pampering... well, you get the idea. We hope to expose spa enthusiasts to new aspects of the lifestyle they may not be aware of and of course to just have fun talking spa.

While we would like to post as much as possible, during the first few months the posts will likely be in random bursts as we finish up some site features and settle in to the routine of maintaining this new site. So make sure to check back periodically for updates. If there is a lag in postings, it’s most definitely not because we’ve abandoned this site.

Also, don’t miss out on our day spa search. Just pop in your zip code and find day spas and massage providers near you. You may find new spas in your neighborhood that you didn’t even know were there. We apologize if we don’t have your area covered yet. We are focusing on the major metropolitan areas for now and will be expanding our coverage over time.

We hope you enjoy what we have to offer. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions feel free to contact us here.

10 Great Gift Ideas for Mom!

As you know mothers day is just around the corner. It can be tough to find that special gift Mom will love. We aren't all natural born gift givers and some of us need help. If you are having trouble deciding what to get for your mother on her special day then look over these unique mothers day gifts. Who knows maybe you'll find something that's just right this mothers day.

Deluxe Vanilla Spa Gift Collection

Yummy yummy, a gift basket filled with vanilla scented bath treatments. If your mother is one to go for the sweet smells then this Deluxe Vanilla Spa Gift Collection might be a winner.

Description from website: For an extravagant, bathing ritual experience, this exclusive gift set is packaged with sweetly scented treatments infused with vanilla extracts to warm the body and soul.

Ultimate Sea Salt Spa Gift Basket

The Ultimate Sea Salt Spa Gift Basket is the creme de la creme of Mothers Day gifts. Mom is sure to love this deluxe gift basket and it should last her a long time as well.

Description from website: A lavish Spa assortment of decadent indulgence to spoil yourself or the one you love with complete luxury. The Sea Salt collection is drenched with mineral-rich sea salt and marine ingredients used to nourish and increase hydration in the skin.

Tropicalia Cocolotus Kelly Gift Bag

This is an exclusive Mother's Day gift bag that contains unique skin treatment's to pamper your Mother's skin. The Tropicalia Cocolotus aroma is sure to be divine with the mix of pineapple, caramel infused coconut and blue lotus. At $35 the price is just right for those looking for an affordable but unique mother's day gift bag.

Description from website: Drench Mom's skin in these tropical delights infused with sunflower and macadamia nut oils, vitamins and hydrating marine algae. Lightly scented with exotic essences of perfectly ripened pineapple, caramel-infused coconut and night-blooming blue lotus.

Total Body Exfoliation Spa Gift Basket

Here is another fine bath and spa gift basket that is sure to make Mom smile. The Total Body Exfoliation Spa Gift Basket is the budget friendly gift basket that has plenty of spa treatment goodness to make Mom's skin smooth as silk.

Description from website: Exfoliate and soften skin with this 5-piece mineral-rich Spa collection with hydrating marine extracts to help restore moisture and improve skin's tone and clarity. Evergreen in photo not included.

Human Touch Ottoman Foot and Calf Massager

The ultimate gift for your mom's aching feet, the Human Touch Ottoman Foot and Calf Massager is one of those luxury gifts that will keep her feet happy and put a big smile on her face.

Description from website: This portable ottoman with the blissful "Human Touch" foot and calf kneading massage feature, provides a massage that feels amazingly like that given by a personal masseuse. Two ergonomically shaped massaging plates work your muscles for up to 20 minutes, with just the right amount of pressure. The timer automatically shuts off when the pre-programmed massage is done. Tension slips away when you slip your feet and calves into the two massaging wells. Hand controller allows you to adjust to high or low massage speed.

Cream Kashwere Robe

This was one of Oprah's 2005 favorite things and was featured on The View. What mom wouldn't like to cozy up in a fancy, soft and stylish bath robe after a nice warm bath. The Cream Kashwere Robe is the perfect addition to your mother's home spa this mothers day. There are other colors and sizes so make sure to get the right one!

Description from website: Wrap yourself in this luxuriously soft and stylish "cashmere like" robe. Kashwere is so incredibly soft, you won't want to take it off.

Dead Sea Mineral Purifying Mud Mask

Help your Mom stay looking young and vibrant with this Dead Sea Purifying Mud Mask. These types of mud masks are divine and any mother is sure to love you for this skin pampering mothers day gift.

Description from website: Special formula enriched with moisturizing components, such as Avocado Oil, Lavender Oil and Dead Sea minerals. Containing Dead Sea mud that gently purifies and cleans clogged skin pores. While absorbing excess of oil, it hydrates and moistures giving the skin elasticity and radiance

ObeyYourBody Small Gift Basket

A tantalizing spa gift basket containing a variety of treatments derived from dead sea minerals and plant extracts. You can choose from their Kiwi, Ocean or Purity varieties. These dead sea mineral gift baskets also come in medium and large sizes if you want to go all out for you Mom this Mother's Day.

'Classic Shearling Boot' Slippers

Your mother can roam inside and outside in these comfortable Shearling Boot Slippers . Keep her comfortable and mobile without the hassles of changing out of her slippers.

Description from website: Warm, lush, breathable shearling lines and tops FootSmart's own Classic line of indoor/outdoor slippers. Feet feel instantly at home! EVA foam keeps the outsole light yet durable. Comfort details include an oblique last for lots of toe room and a beveled outsole that enhances stability. A seam-free interior to best protect at-risk feet.

10% Off Mother's Day Flowers & Gifts at FTD.COM

If none of the previous seem like a good fit for your mom, FTD has hundreds of gifts that are perfect for Mother's Day. Everything from floral arrangements, bath & beauty/spa gift sets and even discount spa gift certificates. Plus you can get 10% Off Mother's Day Flowers & Gifts until May 13th 2007.

MyFunCards Mother's Day E-Cards

One last suggestion. You can get some pretty cute Mother's Day E-Cards for free from MyFunCards. After a simple toolbar installation you have access to their collection of e-cards, along with screen savers, cursor, smileys and more. There is no registration required and it's adware and spyware free, so this is a good way to get a nice e-card to send via email for free.

Mothers deserve much more than a single day and simple gift. For all that they have given us they deserve special treatment year round. While that is not always possible, I at least hope the top 10 gifts above help you find a gift that will make your mother smile for a long time.