Day at the (Home) Spa

When it comes to spoiling myself, I personally feel like nothing is better than a relaxing day at the spa…. Unfortunately, this can cost a pretty penny, and who the heck can relax when they’re spending a small fortune on foot scrubs and face waxing! So, today I’ve decided to post some do-it-yourself recipes, so that you can host your very own “Day at the Spa.” You may choose to invite a few friends (and have each off them take responsibility for one activity/recipe) or maybe you’d rather have a peaceful evening pampering yourself in solitude. Either way, I hope this inspires some luxurious and reviving “you” time.

Refreshing Recipes for the Body

AVOCADO CARROT CREAM MASK

This mask combines avocados, which are rich in Vitamin E, with carrots, which are high in beta-carotene and antioxidants, and cream, which is high in calcium and protein. These ingredients will rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture, and fade age spots.

1 avocado, mashed
1 carrot, cooked and mashed
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Spread gently over your face and neck, and leave in place 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and follow with your favorite toner.

BLUEBERRY TONER

Make this mask the day you plan to use it, and do not store.

3 tablespoons steamed, crushed blueberries
1/2 C. sour cream or plain yogurt

Purée ingredients in a blender at low speed until well mixed and fluffy. Apply to face and neck. Let penetrate for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water. If you find the mask is too runny after blending, you should refrigerate for one hour or until it’s the consistency you desire.

CUCUMBER EYE GEL

1/4 large cucumber
1 ounce aloe vera gel
Puree the cucumber in a blender (leave a little pulp), strain the mixture into a glass bowl until you have at least 2 ounces. Spoon in just a tad of the pulp from the strainer). Add the aloe vera to the cucumber puree in the bowl and mix lightly. Pour into a clean, sterilized container. After cleansing face, stir mixture gently and apply with a cotton ball to undereye area. Avoid the eyeball. The shelf life of this product is very limited by the fresh cucumber. It should be used within a few days, and kept refrigerated between uses.

¼ cup Sugar (white or brown)
¼ cup Sweet Almond Oil
6 drops Orange Essential Oil
1 drop Ginger Essential Oil
1 tsp Powdered Cayenne Pepper

Take a plastic bowl and in it, mix together sugar and almond oil. Add orange oil and ginger oil and mix well. Stir in cayenne pepper as the final ingredient. Your sugar foot scrub is ready to be used.

Refreshing Recipes for the Belly

CUCUMBER WATER

In order for the cucumber to fully release its juice, you need to prepare it the day before your event.

1 cucumber, sliced and unpeeled + 6-7 cucumber slices for decoration
1 1/2 to 2 liters of water
3 mint sprigs + 2 mint sprigs for decoration
Half a lemon, sliced and unpeeled
Ice cubes

In a pitcher, mix the water, cucumber, 3 mint sprigs and lemon. Let it rest on the fridge for 24 hours. If you prepare the water at the last minute, cut the first cucumber in three or four pieces. Then, squeeze the cucumber pieces to release all the juice. Before serving remove the cucumber slices used to flavor the water. Then stir with a wooden spoon, add some ice cubes,  6 or 7 fresh cucumber slices and the remaining 2 mint sprigs.

CHAMPAGNE INFUSED FRUIT COCKTAILS
Yield: 5 Cocktails

1 bottle Champagne (Your choice)
5 fruit skewers made with pineapple triangles, blueberries, orange or lemon rind & mandarin orange wedges (peeled)

Add prepared fruit skewers to champagne flute and pour Champagne over fruit.

TEA SANDWICHES

Smoked Salmon Sandwiches

1 cup soft cream cheese
20 slices bread
1/2 cup capers
12 ounces thin-sliced smoked salmon
Juice of 1 lemon
Black pepper

Spread the cream cheese on one side of each slice of bread. Dot with capers. Arrange the smoked salmon on 10 of the bread slices and brush with lemon juice. Pepper generously. Top with the other 10 slices, remove the crusts and cut. Makes 40 tea sandwiches or 30 fingers.

Cucumber Sandwich

1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced very thinly
Salt
3/4 cup soft butter
2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
20 slices bread
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pepper to taste

Lightly salt the cucumber slices and place them in a colander to drain for 1 to 2 hours. Then combine the butter and garlic and apply to one side of each slice of bread. In a small bowl, stir together the lemon juice, olive oil, and pepper. Add the cucumber slices, coating them well. Arrange the cucumber on 10 of the bread slices, top with the other 10 slices, remove the crusts, and quarter. Serve immediately. Makes 40 tea sandwiches.

(Thanks, GreatPartyRecipes.com, Spaindex.com, Beauty.ILoveIndia.com!)