If you’re anything like me, the environment of a contemporary day-spa soothes your soul. Is it the combination of the herbed citrus aromas, soft lighting, and new age music that instantly calms the nerves? Or do we just love those fluffy robes, little slippers, and meditation rooms?
Of course, the price tag associated with many spa services can be a deterrent to regular visits. But who says you have to spend a lot of money to more regularly pamper yourself?
I asked Michelle Pino, Spa Manager of Skana Spa at Turning Stone in Verona, NY, to offer some suggestions to women who would like to enjoy the benefits of such treatments in the privacy of their own homes. She’s graciously offered two recipes to help you unwind and feel healthy and beautiful from the inside out.
Apple, Rosemary, Pomegranate Water
Ingredients —
1 gallon water
10 apples, sliced
15 pomegranates, seeds only – muddled
½ cup rosemary, chopped
1 apple, sliced 1/8 inch
2 lemons, juiced in water for cylinder
20 pomegranate seeds for garnish
Method of Preparation
Combine apple slices and muddled pomegranate seeds with rosemary and water. Allow to cold steep for 6 hours. Strain through fine mesh strainer. Fill pitcher with Apple Pomegranate Rosemary water. Fill cylinder with lemon water and garnish with pomegranate seeds, apple slices and rosemary sprigs.
Body Scrub
Ingredients:
1-cup sea salt or (raw sugar)
1/2-cup oil
*Optional- add a few drops of your favorite scented essential oil, such as lavender or mint.
A body scrub provides gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells from your body. Any small granules will give the desired result and can be used for this recipe, so you can probably raid your kitchen for free. Basic sea salt and raw sugar work nicely, but you can also use brown sugar if you have sensitive skin. Next, check your kitchen and bathrooms for olive oil, baby oil or vegetable oil.
Directions: Mix these two ingredients, but ensure that the granules are still visible. Add a few drops of essential oil if you wish. Use an air container such as a mason jar when storing or giving away as a gift.
Application: Apply to your body while in the shower to exfoliate and moisturize skin, and use your favorite scrubber for maximum benefit.
In addition to Michelle’s recipes, I’d suggest lighting up a cilantro/orange soy candle and playing Kobialka or similar meditative music to enhance the experience!
The do-it-yourself spa treatments are a nice change of pace, but nothing beats the real thing. So, if you’re in need of a quick getaway, convince your significant other to take a road trip to Turning Stone Resort Casino. While he plays poker and wins money for dinner and a show, go get yourself a massage and a facial!
My favorite spa treatment is a basic Swedish massage (preferably with lavender aromatherapy oils). What’s yours?
xo-Jamie