Facial Masks You Can Make In Your Kitchen

I am a product junkie. But just yesterday I cleaned out my bathroom cabinet of all of the excess skin and makeup products I’ve collected over the last few years. I had a ton face creams and lipsticks and hair “product” and body scrubs that have not seen the light of day in more than two years.

One by one I assessed each one for its usefulness, appeal, and lingering aroma. And I filled up the trash can with most of them (except the products I currently use).

As I sat in my bathroom staring at the contents of the garbage can, all I could think about how much money I’d spent on all these things over the years. And I wondered about what I could find in my home to replace or improve upon some of what I was getting rid of.

Here is one web site I found with a ton of recipes for at home facial masks. To be truthful, I haven’t tried any of these specific recipes yet. But I can attest to the one for the honey mask. It does have antimicrobial properties and has a great number of applications for treating a variety of conditions from gum disease to eczema to prostate problems.  And it adds a pretty interesting component to the Bellanina Facelift Massage Treatment we offer at Inspire.

I’d really be interested to hear from anyone who tries any of these recipes as well as to get others from anyone who has suggestions. I’ll be glad to post them along with your comments:-) And be sure to watch us on December 10th on FOX 8’s Morning News for live demonstrations of easy spa treatments you can do at home with common kitchen ingredients.

Did You Know Fiber is Good For Your Skin?

So I’ve always heard that fiber was good for you and your, uh, digestion. But I never realized until recently that fiber intake is important to the health of your skin, because it helps your body eliminate the toxins and waste in your body.

People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced bacteria counts and other digestive conditions.  So if you aren’t getting rid of waste and other toxins through your digestive system, they will come out other ways, incuding your skin.

Here is a list of suggested items to add to your diet from http://altmedicine.about.com for increased fiber intake.

1. Add Whole Grains – Choose whole grain products over refined. Have brown rice instead of white or make your own 50:50 combination.
2. An Apple a Day – Have an apple, skin on, as a snack.
3. Eat Cauliflower
4. High-fiber snacks – Snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs, and prunes.
5. Eat Beans and Legumes – Open a can of your favorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to your meal.
6. Ground Flaxseeds – For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available at health food stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store flaxseeds in the fridge.

And be sure to drink lots of water to help all that fiber pass through and to keep your skin and whole body hydrated. Theories vary from one group to another, but I try to get at least 6 – 8 glasses a day. You’ll have to decide what works best for you just like you’ll have to decide which you like better – prunes or cauliflower:-)

Remember to Relax Over the Thanksgiving Holidays

The holidays can be stressful for all of us even in the best of times. Forced family gatherings, long travel days and larger than normal grocery bills have a way of taking their toll on all of us.

It is important now as always to stay focused on making time for ourselves to unwind and regroup. Here are a few tips I found through Rush University Medical Center to help all of us de-stress.

Breath slowly and deeply — slowing your breath begins the relaxation response.

• Start by extending your exhale out for longer than you usually would. Soon you’ll find that your inhales have naturally become slower and deeper.

Regular excercise has been shown to reduce stress — so get moving.

• A walk with a friend or loved one can bring you back to your calm self.

Try meditation — start by being aware of your breathing.

• One simple technique is to say to yourself “I’m breathing out” as you exhale and say to yourself “I’m breathing in” as you inhale. Start with three minutes and slowly add a minute until you’re able to sit in meditation for 15 minutes.

Click here to read more on their website. And add your own activities to the list that you enjoy or that help you recenter yourself. I promise you’ll feel more thankful and appreciative about your own life immediately…and that’s what Thanksgiving is all about!

Achieving a Natural Look with Mineral Makeup

Michelle Obama is a beautiful women with a glowing face and great complexion. And you would think that woman in her position, the First Lady elect, would never leave the house without consulting her stylist or makeup artist. However, Michelle Obama recently told Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell why she chose to occasionally fore go a daily makeup regiment.

“I want people to get used to my face more naturally so that I don’t have to do that every day. Who’s got time to put eyelashes on and all that?”

And while I am sure many of us forgo makeup from time to time, we often feel naked or incomplete without something on our faces. For people who want the best in makeup coverage while maintaining a natural look, the skin care experts at Inspire suggest using Mineral Makeup. You can use it to put your best face forward while showcasing your own your natural beauty and features.

Curious? Call 336.275.3275 to set up a free make-up consultation at Inspire Skin & Body or email us at info@InspireSkinAndBody with any questions or concerns you might have. We’ll work with you to find the right colors and products for your desired look(s) and skin tone…and have a great time in the process!

Online Resources for Body, Mind & Spirit

It’s always nice to find resources you can use online without actually having to look for them yourself. On my consulting website (www.spalutions.com) I have a really comprehensive list of web sites, directories, publications and other resources for massage and spa professionals to use.

I’d like to try and offer the same type of thing here for clients and friends of Inspire. This listing will continue to be updated so please keep checking back to see what else is on it:-)

http://www.BodyMindSpiritDIRECTORY.org- from Books & Breathwork to Spas and Skin Care, this directory offers listing for a variety of businesses and individuals that treat your body mind and spirit, not just in NC but all over the country.

http://www.myweddingstoday.com - an A-Z directory of all things wedding related in North Carolina and beyond

Inspired to be Green

When I first decided to open Inspire, I knew that I wanted it to be different than my last spa in a number of ways:

• First the space would be much smaller, more intimate and more manageable than what I’d had before.
• Second, I knew that the staff in turn would be smaller and that we would not offer nail services choosing to focus in on results-oriented skin care, massage therapy, make-up and body care.
• Third, I knew we would carry our own product lines where I had more control over the ingredients and production.
• And fourth, I wanted Inspire to be as green as possible (and I’m not talking about money:-)

So what does “green” mean in the spa industry?  According to the Green Spa Network (www.greenspanetwork.org), these are the characteristics of an eco-conscious business:

• Strives to conserve energy and water.
• Is committed to recycling, and uses recycled and recyclable materials.
• Uses and retails natural/organic skin care.
• Consistently looks for ways to minimize waste.
• Feels a responsibility to its guests and the planet to reduce exposure to toxins.
• Is committed to reducing hazardous waste.
• Is open to learning and adopting environmental friendly strategies and techniques.
• Shares its concern for the planet’s well-being with guests.

Some of these issues are more challenging than others, but at Inspire we are committed to being respectful and conscious of our world and environment. We use eco-friendly laundry detergent and have a recycling area set up in our breakroom. We buy in bulk as much as possible and use real glasses or cups for all of our beverage service. And we used eco-friendly paint on the walls when we were redecorating.

These may be small steps to some, but they are ones that still make a difference. We aren’t perfect “greenies” yet, but we are trying to make a positive impact on our world as well as our clients. We appreciate your help and support!

Are you ready to Be Inspired?

Welcome to Inspire’s first blog column! The Skin Care and Massage Therapy Experts of Inspire are so excited to be able to share our ongoing thoughts and discoveries about health, beauty, wellness, skin care, and simply getting the best out of life with our clients and friends. We invite you to share your own ideas and questions here at Be Inspired and look forward to the conversation!

Please check back often for new information and resources for total mind/body health. And please feel free to share this blog with others so they can Be Inspired!