The first challenge I submitted is to send loving thoughts and energy to someone you are in conflict with, need to forgive or be forgiven by. The first challenge I accepted was simply to lift my spirits by listening to an upbeat tune of my choice. I’m thinking something by The Gypsy Kings might be the one for me. Check out the site at  http://www.dailychallenge.org

One of our awesome Skin Care Experts, Erika Rucker, was recently featured in the Greensboro News & Record. Here is what they wrote:

Name/age: Erika Rucker, 30

Occupation: Licensed esthetician (skin care and waxing expert)

Employer: Inspire Skin & Body Day Spa in Greensboro

Years in field: Four

What does your job entail?

My job is to provide optimal high-performance, results-oriented skin and body services. This includes a variety of skin care treatments such as facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion (removal of dead skin) and waxing, as well as makeovers and makeup applications. I can also perform other treatments such as body scrubs, body wraps, spray tanning, brow and lash tinting, and ear candling (removal of ear wax).

Estheticians are taught to understand and help a number of skin problems such as acne, sun damage, premature aging and rosacea, and may work with various skin care machines. I also help design a home care treatment plan for my clients to achieve the best results. I give referrals to dermatologists for conditions I cannot treat and to cosmetic surgeons for more intensive cosmetic procedures such as Botox or other injectable fillers. Click here to read the whole article

This is the step by step guide for the foot treatment I did on Fox8 News on 2/3/09. We have all the products needed at Inspire OR you can make your own using products you already have or that you make. (See At Home Spa Treatment Recipes) 

Recipe for a Valentine’s Treat for the Feet

Needed items:

Begin by creating a relaxing atmosphere. Light a few candles, turn on some soft music, spray some aromatherapy room mist throughout the area. You’ll want to do the treatment in an area where you can both be comfortable, either with your Valentine sitting or lying down and you in a comfortable position for providing this special care to him or her.  If you have a small tub or pedicure bath, have your “client” soak their feet for a few minutes to start.  You can make this more special and relaxing by adding a few drops of aromatherapy oil and or Epsom salts to the warm water.

After you have soaked the “client’s” feet and you have dried them off with a towel, begin to dry brush the skin on their right foot and leg with a body brush or dry wash cloth from the tips of their toes forward towards the knee. Take special care around the heels, ankles and knees and make sure to get the back of the leg.  Once you have finished dry brushing the right foot and leg, do the other leg, repeating all the steps. The brushing can be done in small circles or light stokes, but should be done slowly and gently, passing over each area at least 3 times.

Next, using the Chocolate Body Scrub (also on our blog under Easy At Home Spa Treatments)  or any purchased/pre-mixed salt scrub or body polish, follow the same steps as above lightly massaging it over the skin.  Take your time and allow your loved one to really enjoy the sensation of the experience. When you have scrubbed the foot and lower leg remove the product with a warm wet wash cloth or heated towel.  Follow with a dry towel to keep the client from getting a chill. Repeat the same steps on the left leg.

The next step is the massage. Using the your massage oil or Body Lotion, begin your regular massage starting first with the foot, taking special care to massage each toe, each joint, and between all bones and crevices with your fingers and thumbs. Stretch and rotate all of the toes, gently pulling on each one before moving onto the next. Move from the foot to the ankle, massaging all around the large bones. Rotate the foot in both directions and then move onto the calf and lower leg.  Massage the muscles here all the way up to the knee, applying gentle direct pressure to the largest part of the muscles (belly) that are in the back of the calf. Repeat on the other side.

Optional – If you want to add one more step, before you do the massage you can apply the milk and honey body mask on the feet and lower legs, wrap in a warm wet towel (or plastic if you don’t want to create more laundry) and leave for about 5-15 minutes before you begin the massage.

Inspire’s Easy At Home Skin and Body Treatments (as seen on FOX8 News)
 

Sweet and Spicy Chocolate Honey Body Scrub for Two

2 cups honey

1/2 cup grape seed or olive oil

6 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp group cloves

2 cups kosher salt

 

 

Directions

In mixing bowl, combine honey and oil. Stir in chocolate, ginger, cloves and salt, mixing completely. Consistency should be grainy and thick. Take the mixture into the shower and apply scrub to skin. Gently massage all over body. Remove with warm, damp towels or rinse in shower.  Share with your Valentine and moisturize skin after each use.

 

Easy Coffee Body Scrub
This is super simple but a little messy so I advise using it over the sink and disposal if possible. The more finely ground the coffee, the easier it will be to clean up. Mix used coffee grounds – even still warm – with your favorite hand soap or shower gel for a wonderfully easy and effective body scrub.

Milk and Honey Masque (for Face or Body)
1 teaspoon of milk
1 teaspoon of honey

Mix well together – it is a bit easier of they are both at room temperature or even a bit warmed from the microwave. Apply to face and neck after cleansing your skin with your favorite facial cleanser. This masque actually tastes really good, so rub on your lips to add to the experience.  Allow mask to stay on your skin for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water and moisturize. Your skin will be very soft afterwards.  NOTE: To use on the body or feet, just increase the measurements on the mix, perhaps using a bit more honey to make it a little thicker.  Keep your bathroom clean by standing on a towel or newspaper and/or wrapping yourself in towels or plastic wrap. (This is much easier to do on someone else by the way but is still fun to try!)

 

Our special thanks to Shannon Smith & Jeff the Camera Guru for braving the roads and coming to Inspire today! You guys are welcome anytime:-)

Please join me at Earth Fare on Battleground Avenue from 11:30am – 1:00pm where I will be speaking on Inspiring Thoughts on Creating Inner Peace & Prosperity. I’ll share my tips and tools for adding peace and prosperity to your way of thinking and life. And I’ll also share my secrets for keeping a clear head during chaos and for attracting positive opportunities and prosperity into your life and business. Please bring a pen and paper as well as an open mind:-) You should also bring business cards to share with others who attend the event during the networking session.

“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”                    St Therese’s Prayer

Hosted by Natural Triad Magazine. For more details or to RSVP, please contact Natural Triad at 336-369-4170 or email Julie@naturaltriad.com.

And if you’re up early on Tuesday morning, please watch Sonya Hardy and me on FOX 8 News where we’ll share new ideas on looking and feeling your best for Valentine’s Day!

I got the nicest email today that I just had to share here, with Alison’s permission of course. It made me feel so good about Inspire and our entire staff’s true commitment and desire to giving VIP service to all who come through our door.

Alison Williams
UNCG student

The whole staff at Inspire does everything they can to ensure that everyone has this kind of experience when they come in. Please feel free to contact me with your own comments and testimonials or any suggestions about how we can make Inspire the best it can be.  Thanks!

Felicia
Felicia@InspireSkinAndBody.com

In that same spirit is a blog entry I just ran across entitled It’s All  A Matter of Perspective. My good friend, Jordan Bressler (and our manager Jennifer’s husband), who owns Leapfrog Marketing here in Greensboro, shared a recent entry with me and others on Facebook. The post is essentially about what is important in life and appreciating all you have as well as recognizing that others are going through ups and downs of their own. I know that I need a reminder of that from time to time – and every time I get one I feel immediately grateful for all of my many blessings, including all the blessings that have come from Inspire and my other businesses past and present.

In the roller coaster ride of small business and just life right now, it can be easy to forget all the little things that people in our lives do to make each day a little brighter. So I want to thank all of you that are a part of Inspire and my life, for all the ways you have supported and touched my life and business(es) in the past and continue to do so. My entire staff and I really appreciate it!

Please feel free to let us know how we can be of service and help to you in the spa and otherwise.  You can email me directly at Felicia@InspireSkinAndBody.com or call the spa at 336.275.3275.

Felicia

The style of yoga I prefer is usually referred to as restorative yoga, which uses gentle poses to let the body rest and rejuvenate. Besides feeling great, it also helps to lower the heart rate and blood pressure. The pose pictured to the right is actually one of my favorites, although I don’t use anything under my back like what is shown. I find that it helps my back to “realign” itself while letting the fluid and blood from my legs find its way back to my torso and heart.  For some other ideas on yoga poses that can help decrease your stress, click here for a great online feature by Ladies Home Journal.

Yoga is just one part of my ever growing wellness and fitness regimen but one that I look forward to every day. It helps me to calm and center myself and to make a few minutes of time for just pure relaxation and quiet.  I think it is a great addition to any exercise program as well as a good supplement to massage therapy or other “hands-on” stress management. All the same, it is important for you to check with your doctor about beginning yoga or any other exercise program if you have not been actively involved in an exercise or fitness program.