Serve The Goddess® Massage & Spa Services to the rescue.

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2013-01-19T18:29:00.001-08:00

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If You Exchange Gifts With Your Girlfriends At The Holidays Try This.

2012-12-21T16:30:00.002-08:00

With all of the upcoming festivities and hustle-and-bustle that comes with them, you might be more than ready to pamper yourself while enjoying your girlfriends' company. This year, why not share a spa day at home with your girlfriends instead of exchanging gifts? Spa treatments are a wonderful idea for the holiday season as everybody needs to enjoy a little time out for themselves during the holiday madness. A rejuvenating spa day is one gift that everyone is sure to love. Who doesn't want a relaxing, aromatic massage along with soft, supple skin?

A spa day is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas with your girlfriends. Yes, going out to a spa is fun - but most likely your group will get split up during different treatments and you will also have to tolerate the presence of other customers, who may be inclined to shush your group if they are trying for a quiet spa experience. The way to fix this is to bring the spa to you. You can create a spa experience at home by taking what everyone would have spent at the spa and use it to bring in a Serve The Goddess® licensed massage therapist and an aesthetician for facials, manicures and pedicures. Get pampered while sipping mulled wine with your girlfriends in the comfort of your home!

Taking advantage of a spa treatment not only alleviates some of the tension, but gives you a chance to treat yourself. Everyone needs a little pampering during this time of year so they can be fully recharged and enjoy the season, stress-free and relaxed. And with so many options to choose from our Serve The Goddess® Mobile Spa Services, we're sure you'll find a favorite or two!

If you're as busy and stressed as most of us, you may not take time out for self-care very often. However, personal pampering has many stress relieving benefits, and should be incorporated as part of a low stress lifestyle. A Christmas Spa Party in the comfort of your home is a fun way to hang out with friends while getting some much needed pampering. All of you will feel great afterwards!

Here are some fuss-free ideas to help you create an at-home Christmas Spa Party experience that helps you restore your spirit:

Get some "spa-like" decorations for your home. Keep it simple and pull together some of the things that say "spa": spa CDs with relaxing music, candles, maybe some fresh flowers. This will help to create a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere for your home spa day.

Serve simple food. Keep it light and easy with some finger food like vegetables with a dip or some fruit. Serve fruit infused spa water for proper hydration or some hot tea.

Feel The Love. Your Christmas Spa Party is about extending love and kindness to yourself -- and others. Make sure they feel the love.

A Christmas party full of wonderful spa treatments will leave all guests feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. What can be a better gift?

Happy holidays!

Looking for some “me time” then take a walk.

2012-12-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I decided to take a long walk in the late afternoon, just the three of us, me, myself and I, and had a grand old time. It does not snow around these parts, but I always like to take walks in my neighborhood during this time of year to see how the people who live on nearby streets decorate the exterior of their homes for the holidays.

On the one hand, some people keep things relatively simple and understated and just use props like candy canes in the yard, wreaths on the doors, candles in the windows and a string of lights to outline the house.

But on the other hand, some neighbors go all out and dress (or should I say, style) their houses to the nines with the reindeer on the roof, life-sized nativity scenes, inflatable snowmen families and color-coded lights of all shapes and sizes, all synchronized to festive music. It’s like walking in winter wonderland, California style. Tacky as it might be, it’s truly a spectacular sight to behold and I, for one, appreciate all of the effort that’s involved.

The thing is, it really doesn’t matter how elaborate the decorations are from house to house. Each home has its own charm and it’s just fun walking around from street to street, seeing all of the houses lit up like Christmas trees.

If you’re looking to carve out some “me time” for yourself this month, take a walk. Not only will you get some fresh air and exercise, you’ll also take your stress level down a few notches. And you may just happen upon a cute little cottage that looks like a gingerbread house! Walking is one of life’s simplest pleasures and whether you go by yourself or invite some friends, why not turn walking into daily habit all year round.

Enjoy the light show!

Until next time.
Helen.

Take This Mini SPA Vacation At Home Before The Holidays

2012-12-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

Soft, glowing skin and a refreshed, positive outlook. . . Although nothing really compares to leaving the work to the professionals, taking time for yourself is one of the best things you can do to restore and rejuvenate. Any woman can turn her home into a spa, chock-full of natural and totally good-for-you beauty treatments that are easy to do.

Here is an at-home spa ritual you can recreate anytime you'd like. If you don't have the time to do it all at once, savor it over the next several days; it's like a mini spa vacation so take it now in preparation of the month ahead!

Set the mood: Choose at least an hour of time during your day where you won't be distracted by work or the needs of your family. Light some candles and play some music. Choose music or sounds that are relaxing and reduce stress:

Start with dry skin brushing. To stimulate your circulation, use a loofah or a long-handled brush to dry brush your body. Your strokes should move toward your heart in long, fluid motions. Take a nice warm shower to relax your mind and body. Towel-dry your body and hair and put on your robe. Apply a deep conditioning hair mask to restore and moisture your hair. While your hair mask sets, apply a face mask to your damp face and neck.

Relax. Spend the next 15 minutes savoring the peace and quiet of your home spa experience. Take another warm shower, rinse the hair masque completely from your hair and gently remove the face mask. End your treatment with a cup of tea or water and take a deep breath. When you're finished, be sure to mark your calendar for your next at-home spa appointment.

Until next time,
Helen

Drink a cup of tea to avoid holiday stress

2012-11-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

In my opinion, drinking a cup of tea is one of the best ways to create some ME time during the holidays to avoid being stressed.

There’s nothing better than taking a few minutes in the middle of the afternoon to sip a warm cup of tea. Can you hear the kettle whistling? Have you warmed up your tea pot and tea cup or mug? – most people forget that step but doing it takes the flavor and the experience to a whole new level. Have you chosen your favorite tea blend from your stash? Have you invited a friend over to join you? Did you remember to put out the cream, sugar, lemon, and honey and of course a plate of cookies?

Here are some of my favorite quotes from literature on the pleasures of drinking tea to inspire you to sit down and have a cup of tea at least once before the new year and to give your friends the gift of a tea sampler (available from specialty shops or online) so they can enjoy some tea time, too.

“The Tea Party

I had a little tea party
This afternoon at three.
'Twas very small-
Three guest in all-
Just I, myself and me.

Myself ate all the sandwiches,
While I drank up the tea;
'Twas also I who ate the pie
And passed the cake to me.”
― Jessica Nelson North

“What kind of tea do you want?"
"There’s more than one kind of tea?...What do you have?"
"Let’s see... Blueberry, Raspberry, Ginseng, Sleepytime, Green Tea, Green Tea with Lemon, Green Tea with Lemon and Honey, Liver Disaster, Ginger with Honey, Ginger Without Honey, Vanilla Almond, White Truffle Coconut, Chamomile, Blueberry Chamomile, Decaf Vanilla Walnut, Constant Comment and Earl Grey."
-"I.. Uh...What are you having?... Did you make some of those up?”
― Bryan Lee O'Malley, Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life

“A cup of tea would restore my normality.” ― Douglas Adams

There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.” ― Lin Yutang, The Importance Of Living

“Tea tempers the spirits and harmonizes the mind, dispels lassitude and relieves fatigue, awakens thought and prevents drowsiness, lightens or refreshes the body, and clears the perceptive faculties.” ― Confucius

“Okay, this is the wisdom. First, time spent on reconnaissance is never wasted. Second, almost anything can be improved with the addition of bacon. And finally, there is no problem on Earth that can't be ameliorated by a hot bath and a cup of tea.” ― Jasper Forde, Shades of Grey

“A cat purring on your lap while you sip hot tea, is there anything better? Oh, and you’re floating in a zero gravity environment.” ― Jarod Kintz, Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal With Change by Deciding to Let Indecision Into Your Life

“Dad was at his desk when I opened the door, doing what all British people do when they're freaked out: drinking tea.” ― Rachel Hawkins, Demonglass

“If you are cold, tea will warm you;
if you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are excited, it will calm you.”
― William Ewart Gladstone

“Nowadays, people resort to all kinds of activities in order to calm themselves after a stressful event: performing yoga poses in a sauna, leaping off bridges while tied to a bungee, killing imaginary zombies with imaginary weapons, and so forth. But in Miss Penelope Lumley's day, it was universally understood that there is nothing like a nice cup of tea to settle one's nerves in the aftermath of an adventure-- a practice many would find well worth reviving.”
― Maryrose Wood, The Hidden Gallery

“I don't drink coffee I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on one side ..."
(Englishman in New York)” ― Sting, Nothing Like the Sun

“Peter was not very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed, and made some chamomile tea: "One table-spoonful to be taken at bedtime.”
― Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit

My kettle is boiling -until next time,
Helne

Attitude of Gratitiude

2012-11-25T15:33:00.001-08:00

November is a month of reflection, and with Thanksgiving Day just gone, it is often a time to express thanks for all of the blessings in our lives. Through gratitude, we accept the good in all. Counting our blessings brings balance to those parts of us that are disconnected. Gratitude changes our attitude and helps us to stop feeling victimized by life. If you are feeling down, hopeless, or worried, you can bring your life back into balance simply by practicing gratitude.

Why should that be? Why should the simple act of thinking about who and what you are grateful for make such a big difference in your life?
Just a few reasons:

It reminds you of the positive things in your life. It makes you happy about the people in your life, whether they're loved ones or just a stranger you met who was kind to you in some ways.

It turns bad things into good things. Having relationship problems? Be grateful you have a relationship. Be grateful you have challenges that you can learn from and that help you to learn. Be thankful they make you a stronger person.

It reminds you of what's important. It's hard to complain about the little things when you give thanks that your loved ones are alive and healthy. It's hard to get stressed out over paying bills when you are grateful there is enough food in your fridge.

It reminds you to thank others. The simple act of saying "thank you" to someone can make a big difference in that person's life. Calling them, texting them, stopping by to say thank you . . . just taking a minute to tell them why you are grateful for them is important to them. People like being appreciated! It's so easy to make someone else happy. And making someone else happy in return will make you happy.

Living a life of gratitude is easy. Simple acts of gratitude don't cost you much, but they can make a huge difference. If you want to give practicing gratitude a try, here are some ideas:

Morning gratitude session. Take 2-3 minutes each morning to give thanks, to whoever or whatever you're grateful for. Don't forget to include yourself! You don't have to do anything, other than close your eyes and silently give thanks. This can make a huge difference.

Say thank you. Whenever someone does something kind for you, however small, always try to remember to say thank you. And really mean it.

Give thanks for "negative" things in your life. There's always two ways to look at something. Many times we think of something as negative. But the same thing can be looked at in a more positive way. Giving thanks for those things is a great way to remind yourself that there is good in just about everything and that nothing happens without a reason.

Learn a gratitude prayer. There are many prayers, religious or not, that can remind you to be grateful. Search the internet and find one that resonates with you and print it out, or write your own. If you're not religious, it doesn't need to include the concept of God.

Love expressed as gratitude demonstrates itself in small acts of kindness and connects us to each other and to ourselves. What accomplishments can you be grateful for? I'd love to hear your comments.

Give the Gift of Yoga

2012-11-13T09:36:00.000-08:00

Before things get out of hand and you find yourself stressed beyond measure, make a promise right now to carve out some ME time during this upcoming festive, holiday season. Take a look at your calendar and make sure, while you have the chance and before your time gets booked up with other obligations, to schedule at least 15 peaceful minutes a day for yourself --- and then honor that time.

Taking a few moments to quiet your mind is the key to enjoying this special time of year and practicing yoga is one of the best ways I know to stay calm and relaxed.

Some of the many health benefits of practicing yoga on a regular basis include:

Stronger immune system
Increased energy
More efficient breathing
Better digestion
Balanced hormones
Improved muscle flexibility and strength
Straighter posture
Healthier body weight
Improved sleep
Decreased pain
Improved balance
Increased sense of well-being
Better mood
Decrease in anxiety, depression and anger
Improved concentration and memory
Decrease in total cholesterol levels
Lower blood pressure

You can also use yoga as a theme in your gift giving this year. Encourage your friends to join you in a yoga class with a gift certificate and buy everyone things like yoga mats, yoga pants, instructional videos, thoughtful books, relaxing music, water bottles, eye shades and a special bag to carry everything in.

And since everyone’s feet are bare during yoga class, how about throwing in a gift certificate for a pedicure, too? It just might help your friends who may be new to yoga, to start things off on the right foot, so to speak.

I realize even the most basic yoga moves can prove quite challenging for some people, but with consistent practice, the health benefits of yoga will far outweigh any awkwardness that may surface initially. Yoga is one of those things that you have to stick with for awhile but it’s worth it. You just might find that adding some yoga stretches to your daily routine will really help make this holiday extraordinary.

Halloween spa party anyone?

2012-10-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Of course we love any excuse to have a spa party, but Halloween is the perfect opportunity to let your imagination take over. Time for the ghouls and goblins to come out; and they might be heading straight for your house... Halloween is here, and if you want to throw any party this year, why not gather your female friends for a grown-up Halloween spa party at home? It's a great way to enjoy your time with friends while indulging in a day or evening of pampering.

Because of the occasion you can get creative with the decorations and amaze your guests with your thoughtfulness. Replace trick-or-treat by presenting each of your guests goodie bags filled with spa supplies. You could even create your own spa version of a haunted house, with individual stations set up for various treatments. The sky is the limit, and we have many ways to help inspire you.

Check out some of our favorite treatments that feature the superstar of Halloween, pumpkin:

Your guests can enjoy a spin on the traditional manicure and pedicure with spooky nail designs like ghosts or spiderwebs. Or you can treat them to a Serve The Goddess® pumpkin peel facial, which rids the skin of dull, dry cells and promotes younger looking skin.

Containing natural pumpkin and multi-fruit complex, our pumpkin peel has powerful enzymes that act like alpha-hydroxy acids to rid the skin of dull, dry cells. Alpha-hydroxy acids have been shown to promote smoother, younger-looking skin by increasing the rate of cell renewal. Not to mention, it smells absolutely divine and elevates your at home spa experience to a whole new level.
Your facial begins with a deep cleansing treatment, then follows with a wonderful exfoliating pumpkin mask that gently removes impurities. Your treatment will also include a moisturizer that will restore hydration to the skin.

Halloween is the perfect time to evoke the supernatural with some palm reading. By discovering your inner goddess, untapped gifts will be unearthed and your own goddess intuitions will be validated. The challenge of your life's purpose and the beauty of your life's lesson will be revealed-- all in the palm of your hand!

Until next time.
Happy Halloween.

Pick A Pumpkin For Your Next Spa Service

2012-10-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks, as I’ve been driving around the outskirts of town for my mobile spa appointments, I’ve noticed many patches of land bejeweled with brightly colored orange pumpkins, just waiting to be picked for Halloween, along my routes. Did you know that California is the second largest producer of pumpkins in the U.S. after Illinois? And did you know that pumpkins make excellent spa ingredients?

Pumpkins are good for the skin because they contain skin-friendly Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Alpha Carotene, Beta Carotene, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, and Zinc.

It’s easy to add some mashed pumpkin (raw or cooked) to facial masks and body wraps. The pumpkin will gently exfoliate your skin and leave it feeling soft and smooth. Applying nourishing pumpkins to your skin will also help moisturize dry skin, enhance your skin’s radiance and reduce inflammation associated with acne blemishes. It’s also mild enough for anyone who has sensitive skin. It smells good, too.

Pumpkin pie, anyone? If you want to nourish your skin from the inside out, then add pumpkins to your favorite baking recipes or use them in a savory side dish. The possibilities are endless when it comes to cooking with pumpkins.

And don’t forget to lightly roast your pumpkin seeds after you hollow out your jack-o-lantern because they make a tasty and healthy spa snack. Also, pumpkin seed oil, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, can be applied to skin to help heal rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, burns, wounds and scars. It’s a great boost to any massage oil blend.

It’s no wonder spas like to feature treatments with pumpkins on their menus!

Don’t miss out on the fun. Halloween is quickly creeping up on us so pick your pumpkins as soon as you can and use them to decorate your doorstep, feed your family and clear your complexion.

Four Warming Spa Treatments for Fall

2012-10-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

October is a special month of the year. It’s halfway between July and December and now that summer is behind us and winter is ahead of us, it’s time to start thinking about getting cozy and spending more time indoors.

Begin by adding some new seasonal touches to your home like draping a blanket on a favorite chair, turning on the gas fireplace, bringing in some leaves and foliage that you’ve found outside, swapping your lighter waffle bath robes for the heavier, terry cloth ones and creating some aromatherapy blends with essential oils like vanilla, cinnamon, and clove.

Here are some fall spa services that you can receive in the coming weeks that will help take the chill out of the fall and winter seasons.

1) Hot stone massages are a great way to get warm. It feels like liquid heat is reaching the deepest part of your achy muscles as the smooth, basalt stones travel over your body. It’s truly a divine experience.

2) Dipping your hands and feet in a warm, paraffin bath is a must this time of year. The wax will lock the moisture in your skin and your hands and feet will stay soft for days.

3) Body wraps are also ideal spa treatments during this time of year. Not only will you be wrapped in a cozy cocoon of blankets, some body wraps are purposefully made with self-warming ingredients like Spirulina and Moor Mud, that will help increase your circulation which will raise your body temperature.

4) And what’s a spa without a bath? Taking an herbal bath is a great way to warm up. Infusing some chamomile or Earl Grey tea into your bath water will definitely benefit your skin and will help you relax and keep you warm from head to toe.

Remember to light some candles and make a cup of tea and which ever warming spa treatment you choose first, you’ve got a recipe for a nice spa day at home in October.

Renew your inner and outer beauty this fall

2012-10-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

Nothing beats fall when it comes to a sense of renewal. It's the beginning of a new school year, your favorite brand introduces new fall fashion, and you have nothing but cooler weather and the holidays to look forward to. What better time to adjust your beauty routine than the new season?

The change of seasons is a good time to cleanse your system, inside and out. The best way to prepare for the colder season is to get a facial, a body scrub, and a massage, and then check your diet and get plenty of sleep. This time of year is good for warming soups and stews, cooked vegetables and for a treat: fruit pies. It's also a good time to enjoy the health benefits of a cup of hot green tea and to detox before Halloween with all the candy.

As summer surrenders to cooler temperatures, there is no better place to renew your Inner Goddess than with a renewing massage or spa service. Our tips will help you to prepare for your best fall season ever:

Detox At Home: Detoxing isn't just a dramatic one-time event, or something you do when you're at a detox spa. It's an ongoing process. And you can do much of the important work of detoxing at home by changing the way you eat and taking a closer look at what you put in your body.

Hydrate adequately by drinking eight to ten glasses of water every day. This flushes your system and replaces the water your body loses just through respiration and elimination. If you're bored with plain old water, try spa water, which is fruit-infused water. Get great spa water recipes at myspawater.com and Pam Wenzel's Spa Water book. Stop eating sugar and refined carbohydrates like white flour. They have no nutritional value and give you a sugar "high" that leaves you hungry and craving more sugar.

Get healthy fats into your diet. Essential fatty acids can be found in unrefined flax seed oils, walnuts and especially olive oil.

Sleep: Make your sleep a priority. Build boundaries around your sleep by sticking to a set bedtime, and by not eating or working in bed (no iPhone in the bedroom!). Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they both interfere with normal sleep patterns. Prepare for healthy sleep by making a smooth transition from waking activity to quiet sleep.

Facial: Face fall with a healthy glow, and select a facial that will clean, soften and smooth the skin. Summer sun can leave skin dry and damaged, so you'll feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Of course, it's impossible to think of fall without thinking of pumpkins, and spa pumpkin-based treatments. Though many think that the pumpkin found its highest calling in a Thanksgiving pie, the reality is that the familiar orange flesh provides tons of phytochemicals that nourish and treat the skin. An exfoliating pumpkin peel contains powerful natural enzymes and is an excellent way to instantly brighten post-summer skin by sloughing away dead skin cells and dull pigment.

Body Scrub: Fall skincare involves doing away with summer dryness and pampering your skin. For an utterly pampering experience, schedule a body scrub in the comfort of your home. Your skin is pampered and polished with essential oils and sea salts giving you a luxuriant glow. We add skin brushing to exfoliate, detox and rejuvenate. Your skin will look as great as it feels: heavenly smooth. For your daily routine, switch to a heavier moisturizer that will protect your skin as it adjusts to new, cooler temperatures.

Massage: For many of us a massage is the most relaxing wish-it-went-on-forever treatment. Aside from the sheer pleasure of having stubborn knots eased away, skin benefits greatly from nourishing oils. Depending on your needs you may find your massage therapist choosing a blend of delicious-smelling essentials oils to enhance your relaxation.

The great thing about fall is that it gives us all a chance to start anew and to make positive changes. May it be your best season of change yet .

Massage Helps Minimize Jet Lag

2012-09-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

There were many highlights in my trip to Italy -- the food of course, the museums, the Italian hospitality, the amazing architecture and landscape, the spas…

But I can’t say I enjoyed the jet lag. They say it takes one day for each time zone you’ve crossed (more or less depending if you’re heading West or East) to adjust back to your new or regular time zone.

Symptoms of Jet Lag:

Symptoms of jet lag include: digestive disorders, disorientation, disrupted sleep, fatigue, grogginess, headache, inability to concentrate, insomnia, irregular sleep patterns, irritability and mild depression.

Recovery:

A certain amount of jet lag is unavoidable while traveling great distances by airplane because your body's natural rhythms have become out of sync with local time, but as a massage therapist, I recommend getting a massage to minimize the amount of time it takes to recover. It certainly helped me.

Benefits of Massage:

Improved sleep is one of the benefits of massage therapy and jet lag is considered a sleep disorder. Don’t we instinctively rub someone’s shoulders to help them relax or gently stroke the head or backs of babies to coax them back to sleep? Isn’t therapeutic touch what massage is all about?

Many people have said they’ve slept well after receiving a relaxing massage and some people even fall asleep in the middle of a treatment – I know I nodded off in an Italian spa while I was getting a pedicure! I think it was during the foot massage.

So if you’re experiencing jet leg like I did recently, get a massage. It can help you get a better night’s sleep and get over your jet lag sooner.

My spa service in Italy.

2012-09-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

My hubby and I are back from our second year wedding anniversary vacation in Italy.

We had the best time and split the two weeks between four days in Florence, six nights on a farm in rural Tuscany and ended with four days in Rome! There were so many highlights in the trip; the food of course, the museums, the Italian hospitality and after all the sight seeing, a much needed luxurious pedicure.

When I travel I like to check out spas and receive a massage or spa service, so when it rained one day, I dragged my hubby into The Four Seasons in Florence to look at their spa and book a treatment.

Let me say, I was reminded again of the value of massage and spa services! I hear it all the time from my clients so when I a receive a service it really strikes a chord.

Here’s what the pedicure included:

The luxury pedicure commences with a grapefruit and tea tree emollient foot soak, followed by a sugar crystal exfoliation. The feet are then nourished with a cream that is rich in avocado and vitamins A and E, resulting in a refreshing sensation of lightness and hydration. The experience concludes with an application of polish.

The pedicure was pure bliss and I drifted off during the foot massage.

Pedicures don’t just help your feet look and feel better; when combined with a reflexology foot massage, pedicures can improve your circulation, lessen stress, and reduce pain. Pedicures also relieve uneven pressure on your bottom of your feet caused by callous build up. Dead skin is removed allowing your skin to breathe more efficiently. Aromatherapy like grapefruit, orange, lemon, tea tree or peppermint adds to the experience too as it uplifts the spirit and energizes you. Finally, as the cuticles and nails are cleaned, pedicures protect against fungus's and bacteria. So there you have it, the benefits go far beyond pretty toes.

They looked after my hubby too and suggested he relax in the quiet area. They gave him tea and a book to read so I could relax some more, guilt free!

Helen relaxing after her pedicure-Four Seasons Florence ,Italy.

Olive Oil is the #1 Beauty Secret in Italy

2012-08-30T09:00:00.002-07:00

After a fruitful summer, I’m taking a vacation and I’m happy to say that I’m writing this blog post from Italy. I’m inspired by the beautiful Italians around me and can’t help but wonder what their beauty secrets are.

As it turns out, olive oil plays a significant role in the Italian beauty mystique. It’s such a healthy ingredient and can be used in a number of ways to enhance anyone’s beauty.

Here are some quick, easy, and Italian-inspired ways to use olive oil in your home spa beauty routine:

1. Eye Make-Up Remover: Italian women are known for their long, dark, thick eyelashes and dramatic eyes and they use olive oil to remove their makeup. Olive oil has a gentle cleansing action and as a bonus, it helps strengthen and condition the lashes as it brushes across the eyes.

2. Lip Balm: Italian women often use olive oil in lip balm recipes to keep their lips kissable, soft and supple.

3. Face Mask: Not surprisingly, olive oil is a great ingredient to add to facial masks because it cleanses pores, moisturizes dry skin, and smooths wrinkles. It’s good for normal, dry, mature and even sensitive skin types and Italian women don’t let a week go by without applying a face mask with olive oil to their skin.

4. Hair Conditioner: Italian women are also known for their long, wavy tresses and once again, olive oil works to cleanse and condition their hair. Olive oil also adds shine and gloss and helps repair damage from the roots to tips.

5. Nail Treatment: What’s the point of wearing your gorgeous rings, bracelets and watches if your hands and nails aren’t looking healthy and polished. Soaking your hands in olive oil will help condition dry and brittle nails and will help your hands look and feel splendissima.

6. Foot Treatment: Italian stilettos make a fashion statement, for sure, but the feet have to look great by themselves before they slide into those lovely shoes. Use olive oil in your pedicure to cleanse the skin, soften rough patches and reduce swelling.

7. Massage Oil: As a licensed massage therapist, I know the value of a relaxing massage. Add drops of your favorite essential oils to some olive oil and apply it to the body to soften skin and soothe pain and take a holiday from stress.

8. Nutritious Diet: Italian women are also known for their curvaceous, hour-glass figures and many, including Sophia Loren, give the credit to olive oil. Olive oil is highly nutritious and full of antioxidants and it helps people stay slim and trim while still eating healthy meals. Eating olive oil also lowers high blood pressure and reduces the risk of contracting heart disease and cancer.

Enjoy the rest of your summer! Ciao for now!

Kids back to school? Five steps to help you be calm and relaxed

2012-08-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

During the summer, schedules are relaxed and you can stay up late and sleep a little longer. And while your sleep patterns change it's tempting to fall into "endless weekend mode".

But before you know it, the clock will rule the morning again. Summer is winding down, just a few more supplies to buy, and then the kids will be headed back to school. After a relaxed, easy breezy summer lifestyle, the end of August can be tough. Suddenly you are confronted with a much tighter schedule.

How can moms and kids adjust from the relaxation of summer to the schedules of school? Luckily there are lots of ways you can stay calm and relaxed. Here are 5 easy ways to ease your routine.

Be prepared. What worked last year may not be a perfect fit this year. Be open to new ideas and adjustments when necessary. Prepare ahead of time. Donate clothes that no longer fit your child. It's also a good opportunity to go through YOUR closet and donate clothes you no longer like or need.

Put your family on a routine and emphasize sleep. For bedtime, focus on relaxation and sleep will follow. Accept that sleep is a very important part of life. Plan healthy breakfasts and lunches. Remember that nutrition is an important factor in daily performance. Studies have shown that people who eat healthful, balanced breakfasts and lunches are more alert throughout the (school) day than those who have an unhealthy diet.

Create a stress-free morning routine. Plan for the mornings the evening before. Take out the uniforms or clothes for next day, make sure that backpacks are packed, and that lunchboxes are clean and, if possible, packed as well. Make sure you've put your car keys, cell phone and wallet with the driver's license in it within reach.

Set the breakfast table the night before, and make sure healthy breakfast foods are easy to reach. Also make sure sports bags or musical instruments are packed and ready to go.

Repeat a mantra. It can be something you recently read or one that you came up with yourself. When you start to feel yourself getting stressed and overwhelmed, repeat your mantra in your head over and over again. Close your eyes if you have to. You'll start to feel all the tension drain from your body and it will be replaced with a relaxed feeling and positive energy.

Focus on relaxation. Most women already know what the statistics say: You are still carrying most of the load. You juggle kids, work, home, volunteering and everything else in between. Of course, you know that running yourself on empty isn't good for your health or your family.

Take a relaxing, refreshing bubble bath, light your favorite scented candle, read a good book, or listen to calming music:

Why not plan some extra treatment and get a facial, massage, manicure or pedicure? No matter how organized you are, life can be challenging and you need some downtime to recharge your batteries! Do not be tempted to devalue the worth of relaxation.

One of the most effective ways to achieve a state of true relaxation is by booking a Serve The Goddess® Mobile Spa Services appointment and getting a massage in the comfort of your home. No need to travel (which might add some extra stress) - we bring the relaxation to YOU! A massage relaxes and refreshes your body in multiple ways. To function your best you need to feel your best. Why not invite some other moms and make a back-to-school Spa party out of it? Everything is so much better in a group. Just pick your date, time, and favorite services, and Serve The Goddess® Mobile Spa Services turns your home into a relaxation haven.

Get daily exercise. It is so beneficial to get daily exercise. Plan a walk in the early morning, or after you drop the kids off at school. Do a workout DVD, ride your bike or join a gym. Just find some way to incorporate at least 30 minutes of activity into your daily routine. The healthier you stay, the easier it is to be the best mom you can be to your children.

All these things can help you and your family have a happier, relaxed back-to-school experience without having to give up on that carefree summer feeling yet. Which reminds me: it's time to slap on some sunscreen and head to the beach.

The Beauty of Mobile Spas…

2012-08-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Recently, one of my spa party guests asked me, “Are you the spa on wheels?” and while I’ve never thought of Serve the Goddess® Mobile Spa Services in quite those terms before, I said, “Yes, yes, yes we are.”

There’s a certain beauty about mobile spas because we can travel anywhere. You can choose to have us come to your backyard garden, or to your hotel room, or to a more exotic location like the beach or a vineyard.

We can travel to the city, country or suburbs, in the morning, afternoon or the evening, on a weekday or on the weekend and we can cater to individuals, couples and groups.

In Southern California, poolside spa parties that include mani’s, pedi’s and massages are popular year round. If you have a pool and an upcoming special occasion to celebrate, then a spa party is just a phone call away.

We can also provide neck and shoulder massages to large groups as we did for an employee appreciation event in Paradise Cove, Malibu.

Of course bridal showers are a perfect pairing with mobile spas. We've done a bridal shower spa party right on the ocean at the Terrenea resort. This resort has a beautiful spa on the premises but these guests all wanted to be together in the same room and visit with each other while being pampered so they called Serve The Goddess®. As we gave each of the guests their massages, we were able to hear relaxing sound of the ocean waves rolling toward the shore.

The Langham Hotel in Pasadena was also a lovely location for a bridal shower. For this spa party, the guests wanted late appointments in their suite but the hotel spa was closed at that time. As a mobile spa, we were able to accommodate their needs.

Sometimes, the theme of the party is more exotic than the location and we've done Hawaiian theme spa parties where guests are served Hawaiian food while we give the guests lomi lomi massages.

My theme for Serve the Goddess® is Grecian and my inspiration Greek Goddesses. We drape everything in white sheets and all of the spa therapists wear white. Guests can pick from several Goddess Spa Packages and become a Goddess for the day!

Mobile spas are so flexible and versatile and we can go wherever your imagination takes us. The Beauty of Mobile Spas…

Is there really a National Relaxation Day?

2012-08-10T18:19:00.000-07:00

In recognition of National Relaxation Day we just got booked to do neck and shoulder massages for Tommy Bahamas at The Grove Los Angeles for their customer appreciation. Yes they'll be a lot of relaxed shoppers that day! Imagine that; we do need it don’t you think?

We live in stressful times. Everyone is always so crazy busy! August 15th is National Relaxation Day, which is a great opportunity to take a break from our hectic lives to relax and regroup. It is important for your overall well-being to take time to de-stress and give your body and mind time to rejuvenate.

Healthy relaxation habits can help to ease the stress of everyday life. They are very important to prevent you from overwhelm and burn-out.
Relaxation can reduce the levels of toxins that contribute to many major diseases. Practicing how to relax is really easy. Just incorporate a few simple changes into your daily routine and create habits to relieve stress. Read on how to make relaxation a habit.

Breathe. Take a deep breath! Breathing relaxes the mind and body. Sit quietly in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and relax all of your muscles starting with your feet and slowly moving to each area until you reach your face. Slowly inhale and exhale deeply through your nose. Start with five minutes and build up to ten.

Listen to calming sounds. Do you listen to relaxing music to de-stress? Choose music or sounds that are relaxing and reduce stress. Once your work day is over listen to this relaxing spa music, close your eyes and breathe to unwind from the day's activities. You'll feel the serenity right away...

Get a massage in the comfort of your home. Enjoy the benefits of de-stressing massage. A massage provides many benefits, including relieving stress, relaxing tense muscles, and relaxing the mind. One of the best ways to achieve this state of true relaxation is getting a massage in the comfort of your home. No need to drive and get stressed out by traffic or worry about finding a parking space.

Spend time with family. When was the last time you spent some quality time with your partner? Combine time with your hubby with a relaxing couples massage to increase your relaxation. Indulge in blissful aromatherapy massages side by side for you and your beloved, in the comfort of your home.

Let us know if you have anything planned and happy relaxing!

Treat Yourself Like the First Olympians with an Aromatherapy Massage

2012-08-03T09:00:00.003-07:00

I love watching the Olympics especially when my home country England is hosting! So with all the awe and wonder of the Olympians I thought it fitting to discuss how the ancient Olympians looked after their bodies.

There’s a spa scene in Homer's The Odyssey, one of the first stories ever recorded. It's true. You remember Odysseus, the Greek guy who spent much of his life sailing around the world trying to make his way back home. Well, when he arrives on Circe's island, she gives him an incredible spa treatment that he wouldn't soon forget:

“When the bright copper [cauldron] was boiling, she sat me down in a bath and washed me with water...mixed with cold to a comfortable heat, sluicing my head and shoulders till all the painful weariness was gone from my limbs. My bath done, she rubbed me in olive oil, and clothed me in a fine tunic…”

See, I told you. Ancient Greeks and Romans used massage and aromatherapy to keep their Olympic athletes and VIP’s in top form.

If you’re looking for an Olympic treat, try a massage that uses aromatic oils from ancient Greece.

Here’s a list of essential oils and their healing properties that may have been used in the ancient Greece that still can be found in spa, beauty and massage treatments today.

Basil: Add to massage oil to relax, encourage a good night’s sleep, lift depression, help digestion, calm nausea, and tame cold symptoms.

Bay Laurel: Add sparingly to massage oil to relax muscles, reverse insomnia, soothe muscle aches and pains, strengthen breathing, smooth cellulite, and improve digestion.

Black Pepper: Add to massage oil to relax, inspire romance, soothe muscle pain, detoxify, aid digestion, bring heat, reduce arthritic pain, and calm muscle cramps.

Chamomile: Add to massage oil to relax, get to sleep, prevent nightmares, lift depression, soothe muscle pain, and strengthen breathing.

Clove: Add sparingly to massage oil to relax, inspire romance, soothe muscle pain, lift depression, relieve headaches, add heat, add scent and for antioxidant and anti-fungal properties.

Doesn't this just make you want to schedule an aromatherapy massage right now?

Hydrate in style during your summer spa party

2012-07-25T14:51:00.000-07:00

While I know it's tempting to sip wine during your Spa Party, why not save the wine and champagne for a toast at the end and hydrate in style with some healthy, fruity Spa Water drinks? Spa Water is delicious, fruit-infused water. And of course you can use your wine glasses for Spa Water – everything tastes better in a wine glass!

Drinking water infused with fruit or herbs is a stylish and tasty way to hydrate without sugar and calorie overload. Depending on the ingredients you infuse, your Spa Water drink also offers tons of great health benefits. Did you know that raspberries and blueberries are both very high in antioxidants? Or that the kiwi is considered one of the world's most nutritious fruits and is teeming with nutrients that help ward off diseases? Adding health benefits to your nutrition has never been so delicious!

Cucumber Watermelon Strawberry Mint Infusion

Ingredients:

1 half English cucumber diced
1 half English cucumber julienne sliced
2 cups cubed watermelon
6 to eight strawberries cut in half
1 bunch mint
3 to 4 cups of ice
3 to 4 cups of cold water

Combine ingredients and allow 20 to 30 minutes for flavors to infuse. Use julienne cuts for garnish.

Cucumbers are known to enhance skin tone and its texture. Watermelon can give you substantial energy, is a natural source of nature's most powerful antioxidants and can help reduce the risk of colon cancer, asthma, heart disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostate cancer. Strawberries are said to be in the top 8 foods which are known to lower the risk of cancer. And mint is known to help with headaches, nervous strain, fatigue, and stress.

Sip and enjoy natural flavor combined with health benefits!

Recipe courtesy of Pam Wenzel, Author of The Spa Water Book – A Guide to Creating World Class Spa Water at Home which features 22 creative water recipes from some of the top spas throughout the world. Pam Wenzel is a forty-eight-year-old mother of two. As a nineteen-year breast cancer survivor, she has made it her goal to help the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation’s Army of Women initiative reaches their target of recruiting one million women to help determine the cause of breast cancer. Her book offers a huge variety of recipes with items that can easily be found anywhere.

Summer Beauty Tips for Hair

2012-07-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

By Maria Koropecky, guest writer and esthetician

After a long day at the beach, the sunlight, salty ocean water and the sand may leave your hair looking frazzled. To keep your hair from falling flat or frizzing up this summer, here’s a home spa recipe for an After-Sun Hair Mask. Not only will this hair mask condition your hair and make it feel softer, it will also protect the color and repair some damage. Apply this messy but fun treatment to hair once every two weeks in the summer months in addition to your regular shampoo, conditioner and styling products.

Your self care ritual : After sun hair mask.

Hopefully, you’re growing these herbs and flowers in your garden and have the rest of the ingredients stocked in your kitchen pantry. If not make a trip to your local farmer's market!

3 fresh sage leaves – treat normal or damaged hair and give it extra shine.
3 fresh basil leaves – detangle, strengthen and condition hair.
1 TB lavender flowers – renew hair's silkiness, shine and tone scalp.
½ ripe avocado – conditions scalp and hair.
2 TB coconut oil, melted – cleans, revitalizes, protects and conditions dry or damaged hair.
2 TB apple cider vinegar – controls dandruff, balances pH, conditions hair.
½ cup powdered eggs – increase hair’s manageability, volume, and shine.
2 TB olive oil – cleans, conditions, moisturizes, repairs damage, adds shine, and stimulates scalp.

Method:
1)   Using a mortar and pestle, pulverize the basil, sage, and lavender into a paste. Smell the aroma.
2)   Add the avocado, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar and mix well.
3)   Then mix in the powdered eggs (which you can find at a health food store). The mixture should be the consistency of scrambled eggs.

Manner:
1)   Make a batch of the After-Sun Hair Mask.
2)   Brush your dry hair to stimulate your scalp, loosen dead skin cells, and to spread the natural oils down the shafts.
3)   Moisten your hair with warm water.
4)   Bending over the sink, grab a scoop of your hair mask and apply it to your wet hair in a nice, thick and even layer. Have towels handy as this will get messy. If any drops of the mask fall into the sink, may sure to throw them away rather than wash them down the drain to keep your drain from clogging.
5)   Massage the mask into your hair and cover each strand from root to tip. Remember to work the mask into your scalp as well. You can also comb the mask through your hair with a wide-toothed comb.
6)   Arrange your hair on the top of your head and leave the mask on your hair for about 10 to 15 minutes. Wear a plastic shower cap, if you’d like.
7)   Rinse out the hair mask with warm water, preferably over a sink with a garbage disposal. Use the olive oil to help rinse the mask out of your hair.
8)   Towel dry the excess water from your hair.
9)   Shampoo and condition your hair as usual
10) Towel dry your hair and then let your hair air dry.

Storage:
Do not store this recipe for future use. Make a fresh batch as you need it.

Let us know if you feel a difference in the condition of your hair the next day. We'd love to hear from you.

In home spa tip : Cooling lavender compress.

2012-07-11T09:04:00.001-07:00

A lot of us are experiencing extremely high temperatures right now so here's an aromatherapy recipe to help you cool down.

Cooling Lavender Compress

Ingredients:
4 cups of cool water
12 drops lavender essential oil
9 drops peppermint essential oil
3 drops grapefruit essential oil
1 soft facial cloth

Directions: Combine water and oils in a small basin or bowl. Swish with cloth, ring out excess, and alternate placement on neck and forehead.

Tips: Refresh the cloth often, and add a few ice cubes to water to boost the cooling effect. Avoid getting in your eyes.

When you try this leave a comment to let us know how it worked for you!

Summer Beauty Tips

2012-07-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

By Maria Koropecky, guest writer and esthetician

Summer is the time to go to the beach, invite people over for a barbeque, pack a picnic lunch for a concert in the park, dance at a wedding, sip a cool drink on the patio, lounge by the pool, head out to the cottage by lake, sleep under the stars, and enjoy the fireworks.

Here are some summer beauty tips to help keep you looking your best in a relaxed and casual way all season long while you’re out enjoying yourself with friends and family.

Hair: Put the blow dryers and flat irons away and keep your hair style naturally wavy this season. Also, apply a hair mask made with avocadoes as a conditioning treatment to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy.

Makeup: Replace your foundation with a lighter-in-feel, tinted moisturizer. Also, consider having your lashes tinted instead of using mascara.

Nails: Get a manicure and a pedicure and choose fun-in-the-sun nail polish colors like bright orange and hot pink to really highlight your summer tan.

Skin care: Apply a sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 on your face and body. Also, exfoliating body scrubs are a good idea because they will keep your skin feeling smooth and they will create a more even tan, whether you use a self-tanner or sit out in the sun. Remember to also moisturize your skin daily and apply aloe vera in case of sunburn.

Accessories: Use a refillable water bottle and drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Also, add some flair to your summer wardrobe with wide-rimmed hats, sunglasses, and shirts and pants that are made sun protective fabric.

Enjoy your summer from Serve The Goddess!

Time to Plan Your Summer Beauty Camp

2012-06-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

It’s officially summer now! I really love this time of the year. For me, summer means the taste of juicy watermelons, backyard BBQ, beach time and the salty sea smell, the warm sunshine on your skin (don’t forget your sunscreen) and creating wonderful memories.

You don’t need to go on vacation to experience your best summer ever. The kids are out of school enjoying summer camp, so why not create your own summer beauty camp in the comfort of your home? You don’t need to travel – we travel to YOU! No matter if you prefer an individual or couples treatment or a spa party, this is a summer memory you surely won’t forget.

Get your special summer glow with our body scrub. Your skin is pampered and polished with essential oils and sea salts, giving you a luxurious summer glow and the feeling of a three week St. Barts vacation.

Don’t forget your feet they are an essential part of summer, especially when displayed in sexy strappy sandals. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating pedicure and choose a hot nail polish that matches your new divine summer dress.

Here at Serve the Goddess Mobile Spa Services we offer more than spa treatment. We help you to release your inner Goddess!

Summer is here let's stay hydrated

2012-06-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Yes the first day of summer is here and here's a healthy addition to your summer spa treatments :
Summer Solstice Sparkler
Try this and serve it at your summer spa parties in a pretty pitcher.
Ingredients
1 fresh basil leaf, chopped
6 fresh mint leaves
2 lemon twists
2 orange wedges
1/4 English cucumber, seeded and diced, very cold
Ice cubes
250 ml bottle sparkling water

Directions
Put the basil, mint, lemon, orange and cucumber in a cocktail shaker. Add the ice, cover, and shake vigorously, or stir, until combined and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, the drink is ready when the shaker mists up.) Pour into a chilled Collins glass and top with the sparkling sake. Drop in a pair of chopsticks to pick out the cucumber and oranges, if desired.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/

How often should I get a massage?

2012-05-24T12:20:00.001-07:00

How often should you get a massage? One a week, twice a month, once a month? Unfortunately this is oftentimes governed by your pocket book. Ask yourself why you scheduled your massage in the first place. Was it for relaxation or for a specific problem? If it was for relaxation there are additional ways to maintain a stress free body in between massage sessions so you can most likely schedule once or twice a month. However if you booked a massage for an injury or a pinched nerve have a discussion with your massage therapist. They will recommend when to schedule your next session. Ask your massage therapist if they would give you a discount if your purchase a series of massage sessions.
The benefits of massage are cumulative so don't expect miracles in one session. I remind my clients that if they want to get into shape they wouldn't expect to achieve their fitness goals in one session or if they visited the gym only once a month. Finally ask your massage therapist what you can be doing to help your body in between massage sessions.