Econo Spa Day!!!

Had a very economical spa day today! Started by going to my community center (felt like going somewhere different than my gym), paid the big $4 for entry & proceeded to the Women's Wet Area.  Changed into my bikini bottom, put a deep conditioner into my clean dry hair, ( I chose the Ouidad Deep Conditioner) and put my hair up to ensure I wouldn't get much on my back & shoulders. Also, I always take 3-4 bottles of refrigerated water, 24 OZ size with me to ensure I don't become dehydrated.

Hit the sauna first for about 10-15 minutes, laid down to relax, drank plenty of water while in the sauna, came out and took a cool shower to bring my body temperature back down.

I hit the steam room next, sometimes it smells like eucalyptus which is great but if it doesn't I have a blackberry essential oil & I add a few drops to where the steam is coming out & it smells like heaven!

I spent about 10 minutes there, they keep it very hot so about 10 minutes is all I can take.

Got back into the shower but this time used St. Ives apricot scrub and began to exfoliate my body from head to toe! This took about 5-7 minutes if you are in a rush then it may take a shorter time.

I then rinsed that exfolant off & again visited the sauna, this time for only about 7 minutes and entered the steam room one last time to reopen and purge my pores.

I dried my face and chest off along with the rest of my body and then continued to put a seweed mask on my entire body (keeping the bikini bottoms only on). Today there were some elderly women there and of course they began looking at me & as I explained what I was doing they all commented, I have masks at home, I need to bring them next time, lol.

Today I used a soothing seaweed mask from C.O. Bigelow that I purchased on sale at Bath & Body Works outlet!! I used a fan brush that I purchased at Michael's Crafts for less then $3 to apply the mask to my face. The brush helps with exfoliation also. I simply checked my emails on my cell while I waited 10-15 minutes for my body to dry. The face mask isn't suppose to get stiff, which is great! Sometimes I will use a clay mask but today wanted the minerals.

Got back into the shower, rinsed my face & body off, rinsed my hair next. You may need to use the exfoliant again to ensure you have all of the body mask off. This is also a great time to shave if you didn't prior!

Dried off, put lotion on all over my body, only used SPF on my face, due to the soothing mask, no moisturizer is necessary.

Got dressed and left. My skin, very soft & smooth, my hair, I let it air dry & it is very curly not frizzy!

Came home & my husband stated that I looked very relaxed!!! I told him, yep a $500 spa day for $4 + the products that I already had!!!

Pretty good economical spa day, don't you think????

Wonder why you are gaining weight while eating out?

Before you go out to any restaurant log onto their website & look at their nutrition menus before you go! You would be surprised how many items are off the charts!!!

Every restaurant must have this information available to you in most states so take advantage!!!

Some salads have over 1500 kcals! That is almost a day of calories!!!

Spa tip #5; Paraffin Wax Treatments

Paraffin Tx's are not only relaxing but they are very beneficial to the skin! If you have arthritis, it soothes, dry skin, also soothes!!! They can be expensive!!

I purchased a paraffin spa container & ordered orange essential oil paraffin wax from a local store and online for a total of $45! I have had it for over 2 years & the wax is still great to use & imagine how much money I have saved! Go to any store like Walmart or Target & they are easy to find & use!!!!

Tip: Use the treatment (Tx) before you do a mani or pedi & then wipe the nail with a cotton swab with alcohol or the polish will peel off due to the oil in the wax.

My aesethician also put some on my lips the last time I saw her, about a year ago, so I have began doing that also & my lips are soooooooo soft!!!

For those of you unfamiliar with paraffin wax:

Paraffin wax has a long history of treating a variety of physical conditions. In fact, it was used in massage therapy as far back as the Roman Empire, and, in more recent years, it's become a popular physical therapy treatment for people with sports-related injuries [source: Sports and Physical Injuries Clinic].

Today, paraffin wax treatments are offered at many spas and salons, and these treatments are good for more than just softening and smoothing the skin.

You may already be familiar with paraffin wax treatments at spas and nail salons -- it's a luxurious addition to a manicure or pedicure. But you may be surprised at what else paraffin wax is used to treat.

Paraffin wax is a common option in heat therapy treatments for people with arthritis or other rheumatic diseases -- the heat helps increase blood flow and relax the muscles, which can help relieve caused by arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia [sources: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, WebMD]. Paraffin wax can even soften hardened skin caused by scleroderma, a disease in which collagen accumulates on the body -- it increases the skin's elasticity, allowing for increased movement and mobility, especially on the skin covering the hands [source: Sandqvist et al.].

But the benefits of paraffin wax don't stop there. Because paraffin wax treatments are a form of heat therapy, they're often used for muscle, tendon and ligament ailments. As with conditions like arthritis, they increase blood flow, improve joint stiffness and reduce pain. They're also used to treat bursitis, tendonitis, sprains and pulled muscles [source: Merck].

Now that you know about some of the benefits of paraffin wax, read on to learn how treatments are administered.

The phrase "paraffin wax bath" may evoke images of full immersion in a giant, waxy tub, but paraffin wax baths actually occur on a much smaller scale.

Paraffin wax baths are typically small tubs that are just large enough to submerge your hands or feet. The tubs are heat-producing appliances, so when paraffin wax is added to the tub, the wax melts into a warm liquid in which hands, feet or elbows can be immersed. Because paraffin wax has a low melting point of 125 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit -- which is slightly cooler than your average latte -- it's generally safe for extended skin immersion [source: Southwest Wax].

There are also many paraffin wax baths available for home use. These at-home spa treatments typically come with wax, fragrances, and protective gloves and booties. However, if you're making your own paraffin wax bath at home, be sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid injury.

When paraffin wax baths are offered as a service at a spa or nail salon, the hands or feet are typically dipped into a tub of warm paraffin wax -- often two or three times -- to create a thick coating that will retain heat for several minutes. As the wax hardens, the paraffin's natural emollient softens skin and the heat opens pores. When the cooled wax is pulled away from the skin, it also removes dead skin cells, leaving skin smoother [source: Barajas].

Paraffin wax treatments are also beneficial to dry, cracked hands and feet. Paraffin is an excellent moisturizer because it forms a light waterproof coating over your skin that helps it retain the oils produced by your body. This "waterproofing" makes paraffin treatments great for soothing and healing dry, cracked skin -- particularly winter-worn hands and feet -- because it offers protection from external elements [source: Clar et al.].

Skin Detox Tip #4

Detoxing your skin is always a fave for the spas to charge big bucks!!! Want an easier way that will not only leave your wallet full but will also make your skin feel ohhhhhhhhhh so soft?!
It's easy!!!

Pour about 2 cups of Epsom salts, along with 1-2 cups of your favorite bath salts, and for the softening effect add dried seaweed!

You can get it in any health food store, get it dried, crumble it up (easiest way is to put it in your blender then just rinse the blender under the running bath water after you have poured the seaweed in) and pour it into the running bath water.

I do this once every 2-3 weeks & OMG do I feel great! My skin is also so soft! If you have a jet tub like I do then it's ok to add this also!

I get in and literally go ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Econo Spa facial #3 Pumpkin Mask

So for a pumpkin mask, it's also pretty simple.

Pumpkin & the enzymes in pumpkin are great for your skin, especially facial skin.

In a blender mix some pumpkin, canned or fresh, about 1/4 cup & 1/2 apple along with some lemon juice (this is optional). Blend until smooth, refrigerate for 20 minutes until firm, and then using a brush, facial fan, or any other brush, these can be purchased at any craft store, just be certain the bristles are soft, apply to face, neck, & chest area. Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse off.

Not only is the smell delightful, your skin will say thank you with a glow! Just think, Spas are offering Pumpkin facials this month for a discount, $100! This is 1 Econospa doozie!

Econo Spa facial #2 Blueberry Mask

 Blueberries are very high in antioxidants & the yogurt contains lactic acid & amino acids that help your complexion and your skin look & feel not only fresher but more healthy!


Blueberry & yogurt mask

2 TBS of yogurt
1/2 cup blueberries (I use frozen)
a small amount of honey (for antibacterial purposes)

Blend it all in a blender and put it in the fridge for about 20 minutes. Then when it is thick you can either apply it directly to your face, neck, & chest, or put it into a container to transport to your "econospa" location!

You can either save the rest for another mask or eat it!

Blueberries and yogurt are simply wonderful for your complexion!

Email me with any questions!

Spa Recipes for your own Econospa! #1

This is how I do a budget facial and spa day that doesn't cost $65+ alone for the facial! 

Find a gym with a sauna and steam room, mine has both!

Start with a light workout (or skip it your choice)
After your workout take a quick shower to get off the grime.
Get in the sauna for 10-15 minutes
Take another quick shower to cool yourself down.

For the steam room I always take some essential oil, whatever scent you like and add it to the room, typically everyone like Eucalyptus, or some sort of berry. 
Go into the steam room for 10-15 minutes.
Next simply dry off your face and apply any facial mask that you brought from home or made at home (recipe below). Let it set for 10-15 minutes then rinse off again in the shower and you will look as fresh as you would after a great facial.

Now, I use one mask for my face and I actually use a seaweed mask for my body, for your body simply rub some scrub prior or simply rub your body because the sauna and steam room will help you exfoliate naturally; (keep bikini bottom on or top both if you like)!

My gym's wet area is pretty slow during the time that I go but if anyone comes in and makes a weird face I simply inform them what I am doing and if they seem curious I offer them some mask. You'd be surprised how thankful they are afterward!!!!!