Posted by Maria on July 12, 2010 under Sleep, Uncategorized | 
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
After 19 years, I finally got a new mattress to sleep on. Thanks Mom for your generous gift!
They say you should replace your mattress every 10 years at the most, so I guess I was due — almost two times over! I kept on putting it off because it’s really confusing to compare mattresses and it’s an expensive investment. I know, I know, Ms. Homespunspa, who is all preachy about getting a good night’s sleep, should know better than to skimp on a decent mattress. Finally, my mother said “enough” and offered to buy me a new mattress for my birthday.
Lucky for me and just before the launch of the HST :< here in BC, the Bay was having a sale on mattresses. My mom said to go ahead and lie down on all of the beds in the store to see which one I liked best. I didn’t particularly relish the idea of lying down on all of the beds where countless people had been before me, but I did it anyway. And then there was the whole question of “firm” or “soft.” I was leaning toward the firm side on the cheaper beds and then the salesman came over to make his suggestions.
First he asked me, “Do you sleep on your side, or on your back, or on your stomach?” Why that would make a difference, I didn’t know. I said, “I start on my back, then fall asleep on my side and then I don’t know what happens after that.”
From that information, he suggested I try the Simmons Beautyrest which was to go on sale in three days (which happened to be my actual birthday, which I took as a bit of a sign). Apparently, it was the superior mattress in the store by far and was designed for people who sleep on their side and would be the same price on sale as the ones I was already looking at.
I figured I might as well give the Simmons a try and just as I was walking toward the Simmons beds, another lady walked in, just five steps ahead of me. Of course she went straight to the section I was heading towards and started comparing the same mattresses I was eyeing. I tried to ignore her. I lied down on the bed to see if I liked the firm or soft side and must admit I felt rather vulnerable. At that point, she was just on the edge of my personal space and THEN she had the nerve to come over to the bed I was on and stood at the foot of the bed and pressed down on the mattress with both hands several times. She looked up at me and said, “Makes me crazy.”
“Yikes” I thought. Then she walked over to the bed next to mine and lied down. At that moment I tried to make myself scarce and headed back to the sales desk where my mother was chatting with the sales staff. As I walked passed her bed as casually as possible, she said, “Excuse me, would you mind lying on this bed for me?” I said, “No, thank you” and practically ran away almost losing my shoe.
I told the sales staff what had happend. (I was tempted to make a gesture from my elementary school days which invloves pointing your hand to your head and rotating your finger clockwise a few times and then pretending to brush your teeth to point at someone and saying, “I brush my teeth and curl my hair” indicating that someone is crazy. I don’t know if anyone else has learned this, but I thought I’d throw it in here). After they heard my story, they tried to distract her from that point forward, so I could make a decision. With hesitation, I chose the Simmons, firm.
Fast forward a few weeks. Bye bye old mattress that I bought at Sears for $300 in 1991. My new mattress has been delivered and I have slept on it for two nights. I’m really happy with my choice.
It’s a totally different experience sleeping on this bed than on the last one and will take some getting used to. My cat is like, “Something is different,” “What happend here?” as he tippytoes across the bed. And now when I sleep on my side, my shoulder isn’t taking the brunt of my weight. The bed is huge and is so high off the ground, it’s like I’m the princess and the pea. Now I’m off to buy new and bigger sheets and pillows.
If you’re in the market to buy a new mattress, first of all, congratulations, you’re worth it and your mind, body and spirit will thank you for years to come. And second, do your research then wait for a sale.
Posted by Maria on July 5, 2010 under Esthetics School, Homespunspa, Uncategorized |
Hello everyone. My name is Maria and I am the Chief, Cook and Bottlewasher at Homespunspa. I am looking to expand my Homespunspa business in November 2010 after I finish my esthetics program at the Aveda Institute and would love to hear from you. Please click here to fill out my online research survey. Your answers will help me redesign Homespunspa to take it to the next level and as an incentive, I will draw from all of the names and will award a jar of Homespunspa bathsalts to the winner. Thanks for your time.
Posted by Maria on June 7, 2010 under Esthetics School, Newspapers and Newsworthy, Photo gallery, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
The Edwin Neil Full Potential Award is up for grabs again this year and I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring too. Why not take advantage of everything my school has to offer?
I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m not much of a make up person but there was a trip to Las Vegas on the line and I thought I’d give it a go. And I have watched enough reality tv show competitions (particularly on the Food Network) to feel the need to play too the first chance I got. The deal was, first there would be a school-wide competition within the Aveda Institute Victoria to find the top students for hair cut, hair colour and make up. And those three winners would then form a team to compete against all of the other Aveda Institutes in the whole wide world. And then that winning team would get to go on an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas to receive their award at a super duper hair show where they will be able to network with all of the cosmotology big wigs.
Our competition was held last week and I came in second. I admit, it was stressful at times to coordinate everything I needed to compete but it was well worth the extra effort. I had a lot of fun and learned so much.
First, I had to find a model who would be available on a Wednesday morning. Thankfully, my friend Emily’s work schedule didn’t clash with the competition date. She was my first choice and I’m so glad she was my model. I really like the “before” photo because I snapped it right after a Jazzercise workout. Notice the erythema (or redness) across her cheeks? That actually worked to my benefit.
The "before" photo of my model, Emily. By Maria Koropecky
Then I had to write an essay answering three questions. In hindsight, for the environmental question, I should have written about the current BP oil spill crisis in the Gulf but I chose to write about plastics floating in the Pacific Ocean instead because it has been on my mind for a few years now. And maybe it sounded like I chose Aveda for Esthiology because I definitely didn’t want to go to a certain other school in the city, which wasn’t the case, but oh well.
It wasn’t that difficult to narrow down which make up to use. They weren’t expecting anything crazy or outlandish — just a nice day look. I was going for a nude effect with peachy tones (to bring out Emily’s blue eyes) and the new Aveda eyeshadow shades that came in days before were perfect. And I have to say — I love, love, love the Aveda Color Option Eyeshadow Transformer. All you have to do is dip your brush into the Transformer, and then in your eyeshadow, and voila, you’ve got a funky eyeliner. Discovering this new product was definitely one of the highlights of this competition for me!
While I’m here, I have to give a shout out to my classmate Mariko for letting me practice applying makeup on her and to my teacher Jill for brainstorming with me and guiding me from a fair distance.
Here is a list of the Aveda make up I used for the competition.
I was really happy with how everything turned out. In my opinion, I achieved the wholesome look I wanted. Apparently, I got high marks for creativity. I just needed to work on my blending and put some more colour on the eyelids. And the lip liner shows a bit heavy in the photos.
For this competition, I also had a chance to work with Bryn Thomas, a graduating student from the Western Academy of Photography, who took time out of his busy, busy schedule to take the final photos of my model.
Final photo of model, Emily. Maria Koropecky make up artist. Bryn Thomas Photographer.
Coming in second isn’t so bad. I won an Aveda bracelet and got an Aveda pin for competing. I’m still going to put this on my resume.
I agree with the school’s choices and my classmate, Natalie, who came in first in make up, is super talented and I’m really happy for her. She deserves the win fair and square and I know without a doubt that our Victoria team is going to win the Edwin Neill II Full Potential Award this year!
And maybe this particular trip to Las Vegas is a no-go for me but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up on that dream. If anyone knows of any all-expense paid trips to Las Vegas in the near future, tell me and I’ll sign up. And maybe there’s a reality show in my future too where I’ll get to compete again.
Posted by Maria on May 13, 2010 under Ayurveda & Elemental Nature, Esthetics School, Ingredients, Skin Care, Uncategorized, Wellness |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
My business, Homespunspa, is all about recipes for sleep and beauty. I believe taking care of your skin and hair is essential for health and wellness. Since I’ve started my esthetics training at the Aveda Institute, I’ve learned a thing or two about skin care and I’d like to pass the information on to my blog readers. So, if there’s anyone out there who’d like some guidance on skin, hair and body products from Aveda, please email me and tell me your skin and hair concerns, your age, line of work, diet, a photo and anything else you think might be relevant, and I’ll write my recommendations highlighting which Aveda products will be most beneficial to you.
So far, I’ve already received two letters from my readers. Maybe you can relate.
Dear Maria,
My name is Florence and I came across your blog as I was looking for some home spa recipes. I see you’re a student at the Aveda Institute and I was wondering if you could give me some advice on my skin care and hair care.
I’m 19 and I think I have pretty normal skin. I may get the odd breakout every now and then but I’m more concerned that my skin looks dull and can be dry in spots.
I work as a waitress at Mel’s Diner, a busy restaurant on the highway that has a smoking section for all of the truckers. After my shift, I get to eat anything on the menu – usually, it’s a cheeseburger and fries and a Pepsi. Then I come home and take a hot, hot shower. On my days off, I like to suntan on my deck – I like the heat – that’s why I live in the South. I know though, that I might get wrinkles if I keep this up.
I’m attaching a picture of me with my red hair in a pony tail for you. When my hair is down, it’s long and thick and very straight. I’ve noticed my hair has been breaking a lot since I started this job.
Anyway, I hope that’s enough info for you. Thanks in advance, Florence from Phoenix.
Dear Florence,
Thanks for your interest in my blog. I’d be happy to offer you some advice on your skin care, hair care and body care.
Elemental Nature
Because you said you work in a busy restaurant and that you have normal to dry skin, I suspect your Elemental Nature is mostly Infinity/Air which means you should focus on calming yourself when things get crazy and out of balance. (For more details on Infinity and Air Natures, please see my blog post, What is your Elemental Nature? dated May 3, 2010).
Hair Care
Because you said your hair is red, long, thick and very straight and you like to wear it in a pony tail which has been causing some breakage and damage, I recommend Aveda’s Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo and Conditioner because they help repair all types of dry and damaged hair. The shampoo contains babassu and coconut which are kind to damaged hair. And they both have quinoa protein which helps strengthen and repair hair from the inside out. Just shampoo and rinse and condition and rinse.
In terms of hair styling, try the Brilliant Damage Control. It protects from thermal and Ultra Violet damage and reduces breakage. It’s also good for all hair types. Just spray onto towel-dried hair.
I also think the Sun Care After-Sun Hair Masque which moisturizes and revives sun-exposed hair would be a good choice for you. Once a week or so, apply the treatment evenly to damp hair, leave on for two to five minutes and rinse. The formula contains:
- morikueTM protein which helps restore weakened hair;
- tamanu oil, certified organic shea butter, coconut and palm oils which moisturize hair;
- an anti-oxidizing blend of green tea extract, certified organic sunflower seed oil and vitamin E which help protect against free radicals; and
- the neroli and ylang ylang impart a tropical aroma!
Also, while you’re sun tanning, I strongly recommend using the Sun Care Protective Hair Veil which protects hair from sun exposure for up to 16 hours. It minimizes damage and dryness and is good for all hair types. Just spray it on dry or damp hair before going out into the sun and also throughout the day.
Body Care
Try using the Sun Care and Body Cleanser. As you can see, it doubles as a shampoo and a body wash.
To moisturize your body, I recommend the Replenishing Body Moisturizer – an Aveda Best Seller. It restores suppleness to dry skin with a hydrating blend of vitamins, natural humectants and oils—including meadowfoam. I also strongly urge you to not use such hot water in the shower from now on. Your skin and hair will thank you for years to come on that tip alone.
Skin Care
As for your skin care, because you said you have normal skin with few breakouts but your skin appears dull and has dry spots and you like to suntan, I recommend, the entire Tourmaline Charged product family, especially since the Tourmaline Charged line has the distinction of having moisturizing sunscreen with SPF 15. Next time you go sun tanning, apply the Tourmaline Charged Protecting Lotion SPF 15 to your body since it’s an oil-free moisturizer which hydrates and protects skin from sun and environmental damage. Just place a small amount on fingertips and apply over your face and neck.
Tourmaline is a mineral that boosts skin’s radiance. For a cleanser, I recommend the Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser with exfoliating jojoba beads because exfoliating regularly helps increase cell turn over which will reveal radiant and conditioned skin. This should help with your dry spots.
For a toner, I recommend the Botanical Kinetics Skin Firming/Toning Agent with soothing echinacea and rosewater. It helps balance and hydrate normal to dry skin. Just spray it on 10 to 12 inches from your face in the mornings.
In the evenings, for the exfoliating step (instead of the toning step), I suggest using Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant. This non-abrasive liquid dissolves dead cells on the surface of your skin, to reveal a smoother, complexion beneath. To use, wipe a small amount across your face and neck with a cotton ball. Do not rinse.
For a treatment, try the Tourmaline Charged Radiance Fluid because it smoothes away dullness and reveals a fresher, more radiant complexion. It contains yeast extract which boosts skin renewal and clary sage which encourages natural cellular turnover. Simply spray a few drops on your fingertips and apply a thin layer over your face and neck in the mornings and evenings.
For your eyes, I advise using the Tourmaline Charged Eye Crème which minimizes the appearance of dark circles and infuses the eye area with radiance and moisture. Using a small amount of the eye crème, gently pat a small amount around the eyes with your ring fingers each morning and evening. You’ll definitely enjoy the aroma of the lime and organic petitgrain essential oils.
For a moisturizer, I recommend the Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Crème. Like the name says, it hydrates. It also adds radiance to normal and dry skin types. It will also serve as a protective barrier while you’re working in the smoking section at Mel’s Diner. Place a small amount on your fingertips and apply over your face and neck, in the am and pm.
And for a masque, the Tourmaline Charged Radiance Masque will work well for you since it sheds dull, dead surface cells and leaves the skin smooth and radiant. The masque’s ingredients include shiitake extract, avocado oil, muru butter and lycopene, from tomatoes. The formula is also aroma-neutral so it can be customized with your favorite Balancing Infusion. Apply to your cleansed face and neck, leave on for 7 to 8 minutes and then rinse. Use as needed.
And finally to top it all off, I recommend Aveda’s Lip Saver SPF 15. This handy lip balm delivers lasting moisture relief to dry lips and I like the taste of the refreshing cinnamon leaf, clove and anise oils.
You can buy any of these products online at http://www.aveda.com/ or at your local Aveda salon.
Also, here is some bonus information for your Infinity/Air Elemental Nature:
Foods to Favour in your diet include:
- Sweet: breads, pasta, meat, fish, milk, cream
- Sour: citrus, cheese, yogurt
- Salty: sea salt, tamari, seaweeds, pickled foods
Hey, what do ya know, cheeseburgers suit your Elemental Nature!
Foods to Reduce in the diet include:
- Pungent: peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, curries, spices
- Bitter: kale, spinach, broccoli, coffee, chocolate
- Astringent: beans, legumes, tea, cabbage, cauliflower
When you’re feeling nervous, anxious, or manic, try an aerobics class or a hot bath or a calming meditation.
I hope this helps. Please let me know once you start seeing and feeling an improvement.
Dear Maria:
My name is Roberto and my co-worker at the fish plant suggested I contact you. I want to find out what Aveda products would best work on my skin and hair. I’m 25 and I’d say I have combination skin because my nose and forehead are kind of oily but my cheeks are dry and the skin flakes a bit – especially in the winter months. I’m also starting to notice faint fine lines around my eyes and my ex-girlfriend once told me I have a “thick” skin texture, whatever that means. Here is an old picture (same ex-girlfriend is throwing laundry on me) but my dark brown hair is a lot longer these days, more shoulder length. I wish it was curlier. I shower several times a day in warm water and I use soap on my skin but I only wash my hair every 3 days. I eat mostly California rolls and a lot of fresh fish and rice. I hope you can point me in the right direction. Thanks, Roberto.
Dear Roberto,
Thanks for writing. I’d be happy to offer you some advice on your skin care, hair care and body care.
Elemental Nature
Because you said you have combination skin as well as a thick skin texture, I suspect your Elemental Nature is mostly Water/Earth which means you should work on bumping up your activity level and boosting your energy when you’re feeling out of balance. To learn more about your Water and Earth natures, please see my blog post, What is your Elemental Nature? dated May 3, 2010.
Hair Care
Because you said your hair is dark brown and curly, but not curly enough, I recommend Aveda’s Be Curly Shampoo and Conditioner. With ingredients like wheat protein and organic aloe, your curls will be more defined than ever. Just shampoo and rinse and condition and rinse.
Body Care
As for body care, since you’re already showering with soap, why not try using the Aveda Men Soap. It’s an all-in-one shower bar with a deodorizing and energizing aroma. This “soap-free” soap can be used on the face, body and hair and it’s perfect after a workout if you have a gym membership and don’t want to carry a lot of products around with you. And it’s ideal for all types of skin and hair, including combination skin, like yours. Unfortunately, this product is no longer available online, but you can still find it at your local Aveda salon.
Afterwards, I recommend applying the Rosemary Mint Body Lotion. Made with organic rosemary and peppermint, it invigorates the senses — which is a great benefit for Water/Earths.
Skin Care
As for your skin care, you mentioned you have combination skin — or oily skin on the T-zone and dry skin on your cheeks, especially in winter. As the winter season has passed, I’m going to address your oily to normal skin first.
For a cleanser, I recommend the Botanical Kinetics Purifying Gel Cleanser which was designed for normal to oily skin and is enriched with camomile, lavender and anti-oxidant vitamin E. To use, place a small amount of gel on your fingertips and apply evenly over your damp face and neck, morning and night.
For a toner, I recommend the cooling and refreshing Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist for normal to oily skin. This spray on mist helps hydrate and balance your skin while minimizing surface oil build-up and the white oak, witch hazel and peppermint provide mild astringent benefits. Spray 10 to 12 inches from your face in the mornings.
In the evenings, for the exfoliating step, I suggest using Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant. This non-abrasive liquid dissolves dead cells on the surface of your skin and reveals a smoother, complexion beneath and it’s good for all skin types, including both dry and oily or combination. Using a cotton ball, apply a small amount across your face and neck. Do not rinse.
For a treatment, I really like the Green Science Line Minimizer. It helps boost natural collagen production and minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Apply directly to lines and wrinkles on your face and neck and gently press or massage into your skin in the evenings before bed.
For your eyes, I recommend the Green Science Firming Eye Crème. With organic argan oil and cactus, it helps to moisturize skin and smooth fine lines and works really well with the Green Science Line Minimizer. To apply, gently smooth under and around your eyes using your ring fingers in the am and pm. It’s safe for use on the eyelids.
For a moisturizer, choose the mineral-rich Tourmaline Charged Protecting Lotion with SPF 15. It’s an oil-free moisturizer which hydrates and protects oily skin from the sun and environment. On the other hand, if it’s winter and you’d like to concentrate on your dry skin, use the Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Crème. For each moisturizer, place a small amount on your fingertips and apply over your face and neck in the mornings and evenings.
And for a masque, I recommend the Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque which will absorb excess oil and impurities and will clarify and condition your skin. Apply to your face and neck as needed, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove with a shammy and warm water. Apply a thin layer for oily skin and a thicker layer for dry skin areas.
You can buy these products online at http://www.aveda.com/ or at your local Aveda salon.
Also, here’s some bonus information for your Water/Earth Elemental Nature:
Foods to Favour in the diet:
- Pungent: peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, curries, spices
- Bitter: kale, spinach, broccoli, coffee, chocolate
- Astringent: beans, legumes, tea, cabbage, cauliflower
Foods to Reduce in the diet:
- Sweet: breads, pasta, meat, fish, milk, cream
- Sour: citrus, cheese, yogurt
- Salty: sea salt, tamari, seaweeds, pickled foods
Unfortunately, your love of rice and fish is not ideal for your Elemental Nature. Instead of eating sushi, daily, I’d reserve it for once or twice a week and would opt for food that would give you more energy.
When you’re feeling lethargic, depressed or low in energy, try playing a team sport like soccer that will help get your heart rate up and will get you into a community environment.
I hope this helps. Please let me know about your progress. – Maria
And P.S. — I think your new girlfriend will be super impressed!
Posted by Maria on May 6, 2010 under Esthetics School, Skin Care, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for a model or two for my facial exam and waxing exam at Aveda.
The facial exam is on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in the morning.
The waxing exam is on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in the afternoon and I need to be able to do a brow, bikini and half leg and I’ll get marks off if there isn’t much hair there on the day.
So, if you are interested and can spare a couple of hours on a Wednesday please let me know A.S.A.P by email or by commenting and I’ll give you the details.
If you want to sit in on both exams, that might be possible also.
Also, my friends in the hair program will also need models.
The dates are:
Wed. May 19 1:00pm/1:30pm (one length models – above or below shoulder hair)
Sat. May 22 1:00pm /1:30pm (graduated models (above shoulder)
Wed May 26 1:00pm/1:30pm (models long/short)
Sat. June 5 1:00pm/1:30pm (all over colour models)
Sat. June 12 1:00pm/1:30pm (foil placement models)
Tues. June 15 1:00pm/1:30pm (male models)
colours cost $10-15 / foils $20
If you’re interested in hair, please contact me and I’ll pass on the message to the cosmo students.
F.Y.I. I’ll only respond to serious candidates.
Thanks for your help. We really appreciate it.
Maria
Posted by Maria on May 3, 2010 under Ayurveda & Elemental Nature, Esthetics School, Self-Care, Skin Care, Sleep, Spa and Sleep Dictionary, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized, Wellness |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
In school we’ve been learning a lot about Ayurveda and Elemental Nature so we can customize our spa treatments for our guests to match their needs.
According to ancient Indian Ayurvedic philosophy, every living thing in the entire universe is composed of five building blocks called “elements” and they are: Infinity, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. We each have all of these qualities within us to some degree, but most of us favour one or two over the rest and the unique composition of these elements and qualities within us changes from hour to hour and day to day. The goal is to find balance between all of the elements and within the elements themselves as best we can, otherwise, life gets out of hand and we are living in extremes rather than feeling centered and at our optimum.
By understanding our elemental nature and recognizing when we get out of balance, we can take steps to re-adjust our situation and feel better. You can tell you are out of balance when you don’t feel like yourself. An imbalance can show up on your skin as a rash or as acne or as dandruff, for example. Also, you might feel sluggish or nervous or cold. Or your stomach may become upset after eating certain food. All of these symptoms correlate to the elements.
What do you do when you get out of balance? Working with the principle of like increases like, the best approach is to do the opposite and counterbalance the symptom and therefore not encourage more of the same. So, if you’re feeling sluggish, eat something or do something that will give you energy. Also, if your sensitive skin is red and burning, then apply a cold compress. You wouldn’t want to make it burn more, right?
Below I’m going to introduce the 5 elements and I plan on writing about this topic more in the future because I find it fascinating. It really explains why we behave the way we do and why we as individuals prefer some things over others.
1) Infinity
The element of Infinity is represented by:
- Force: Space
- 3 Key Qualities: Cold, Light, Dry
- Sense: Sound
Foods to Favour in the diet:
- Sweet: breads, pasta, meat, fish, milk, cream
- Sour: citrus, cheese, yogurt
- Salty: sea salt, tamari, seeweeds, pickled foods
Foods to Reduce in the diet:
- Pungent: peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, curries, spices
- Bitter: kale, spinach, broccoli, coffee, chocolate
- Astringent: beans, legumes, tea, cabbage, cauliflower
Infinity’s mind: Quick, expansive and open (like outer space).
Skin: Tends to be normal to dry with small pores.
Body Frame: Petite
When in balance the personality is: Warm, outgoing, make others feel comfortable, have lots of energy.
When not in balance, the personality is: Nervous, anxious, they lack focus and lack follow-through.
2) Air
The element of Air is represented by:
- Force: Movement
- 3 Key Qualities: Cold, Light, Dry
- Sense: Touch
Foods to Favour in the diet:
- Sweet: breads, pasta, meat, fish, milk, cream
- Sour: citrus, cheese, yogurt
- Salty: sea salt, tamari, seeweeds, pickled foods
Foods to Reduce in the diet:
- Pungent: peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, curries, spices
- Bitter: kale, spinach, broccoli, coffee, chocolate
- Astringent: beans, legumes, tea, cabbage, cauliflower
Air’s mind: Rapid, creative, learn things quickly but forget just as quickly.
Skin: Tends to be dry and dehydrated with fine lines and small pores. Skin feels tight.
Body Frame: Tall and slender.
When in balance the personality is: Airs are the movers and shakers of the world. Airs are creative, energetic, good conversationalists, open to new experiences, don’t like things to stay the same and like to try new things.
When not in balance, the personality is: Difficult time making decisions, like to keep options open and not commit, tend to speak quickly and excessively, are worriers and are forgetful.
3) Fire
The element of Fire is represented by:
- Force: Transformation
- 3 Key Qualities: Hot, Light, Moist
- Sense: Sight
Foods to Favour in the diet:
- Sweet: breads, pasta, meat, fish, milk, cream
- Bitter: kale, spinach, broccoli, coffee, chocolate
- Astringent: beans, legumes, tea, cabbage, cauliflower
Foods to Reduce in the diet:
- Sour: citrus, cheese, yogurt
- Salty: sea salt, tamari, seeweeds, pickled foods
- Pungent: peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, curries, spices
Fire’s mind: Linear, determined, focused, intellectual. Have strong views, are ambitious and like to get things done.
Skin: Sensitive, sunburns easily and have tendency for sun damage, hyperpigmentation (spots and uneven skin tone) and are prone to rosacea.
Body Frame: Athletic, solid build.
When in balance the personality is: Fires are the leaders of the world. Fires are charismatic, witty, focused, independent. Fires like making decisions and are organized.
When not in balance, the personality is: Angry, irritable, aggressive, frustrated, impatient.
4) Water
The element of Water is represented by:
- Force: Connection
- 3 Key Qualities: Cold, Heavy, Wet
- Sense: Taste
Foods to Favour in the diet:
- Pungent: peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, curries, spices
- Bitter: kale, spinach, broccoli, coffee, chocolate
- Astringent: beans, legumes, tea, cabbage, cauliflower
Foods to Reduce in the diet:
- Sweet: breads, pasta, meat, fish, milk, cream
- Sour: citrus, cheese, yogurt
- Salty: sea salt, tamari, seeweeds, pickled foods
Water’s mind: Get emotionally attached, are compassionate and learn a little more slowly but memory is pretty strong. Like routine and familiarity.
Skin: Oily to Acneic. Have smooth skin but prone to breakouts on face and back. Have bigger pores.
Body Frame: Tend to be heavier and tend to retain water.
When in balance the personality is: Waters are strong, thoughtful of others, consistent, dependable, have a lot of stamina, bond for life.
When not in balance, the personality is: Emotional and needy, emotionally attached to people, places and things.
5) Earth
The element of Earth is represented by:
- Force: Matter
- 3 Key Qualities: Cold, Heavy, Wet
- Sense: Smell
Foods to Favour in your diet:
- Pungent: peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, curries, spices
- Bitter: kale, spinach, broccoli, coffee, chocolate
- Astringent: beans, legumes, tea, cabbage, cauliflower
Foods to Reduce in your diet:
- Sweet: breads, pasta, meat, fish, milk, cream
- Sour: citrus, cheese, yogurt
- Salty: sea salt, tamari, seeweeds, pickled foods
Earth’s mind: Have strong, long-term memory, are true to their beliefs, have calm and stable mind and no crazy/rapid thoughts.
Skin: Normal to oily with a thicker skin texture. Waters aren’t prone to fine lines but suffer from breakouts.
Body Frame: Are heavy, large and have broader shoulders.
When in balance the personality is: Earths are dependable, caring, calm and function best with routine and structure. They make good friends.
When not in balance, the personality is: Lethargic, depressed, slow, sluggish, tired, have a hard time adapting to change and new situations.
I hope these descriptions give you something to work with. If you have any questions, please post a comment or email me. I’m curious to know which element you resonate most with. If you want to know my elemental nature, I’m a Water/Earth with some Infinity/Air and very little Fire, though my hair did go grey early. When I get out of balance, I definitely get lethargic and sluggish and I’m a home body and like my routines. I also get nervous and anxious easily too which is more Infinity/Air. I’ve found unexpectedly that drinking a glass of pureed ginger in warm water and eating Jalapeno potato chips (not at the same time) really help me so I include those items in my diet from time to time.
Posted by Maria on April 27, 2010 under Esthetics School, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
I’ve already logged 3 weeks of school time at the Aveda Institute and am really loving it. It’s odd being back in school after 20 years but I’m really trying to take advantage of all the school has to offer. So far my education hasn’t just been about esthetics. I’m also learning about sales and service which will serve me well when I graduate.
The instructors are also very progressive in how they teach us. The lessons are more hands on than just sitting there and listening to dry lectures for hours on end. They’re incorporating different learning styles which make the dry science stuff more palatable. I love how they’re encouraging creativity and communication at every turn. I’ve drawn all kinds of posters (from skeletons to skin cells), written a song (about hair follicles, no less) and made presentations to the class. It’s really fun.
So far though, my favourite moment happened on Sunday when I volunteered for a couple of hours at our annual Earth Month Wrap Yourself in Aveda event. I was really nervous when I first got there because I didn’t know what to expect. I’m glad they sent me to help with the laundry first before meeting any of the guests because rolling the hot towels helped get the jitters out.
Then I had the opportunity to shadow one of the senior esthiology students while she was giving a mini facial and hand and foot treatment. I gave my first hand treatment and although I forgot most of the steps of the massage we learned on Friday, I still think I did a pretty good job. After that, I worked with 3 more students and learned something from each of them.
What struck me most about that afternoon was seeing the faces of all of the people after they had gone through a 20-minute treatment with my classmates. They all looked so happy and relaxed and I realized in that moment that I wanted to be able to do that for people too. I know the two hours I spent volunteering on Sunday was more valuable to me than any studying I could have done in the same time. Not only did I provide a service for people who signed up for the event, I also had a chance to interact with my classmates and confirm to myself that I’m in the right place and I’m on the right path. It feels great!
Posted by Maria on April 12, 2010 under Esthetics School, Green Living, Ingredients, Uncategorized, Wellness |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
One week down, 28 to go and if this first week was any indication of the pace, my esthetics training is going to fly by.
I’m so excited to be at the Aveda Institute. I feel like this school is a great fit for my values and my personality because it goes far beyond superficial beauty and promotes green living and wellness.
This whole experience is reminding me of the time in my life when I was 10 years old when my family was living in Hawaii. Looking back on my life, I think this is where my interest in esthetics started, but it took me 30 years to connect the dots and notice the influence.
One of my classmates, Cari, started modeling with an agency called Barbazon and she invited three 20-something models to come to our school to talk about modeling as a career choice. I remember they used the word “blemish” a lot and someone finally raised their hand and asked, “What’s a blemish?” “A pimple,” they replied. “A pimple.” Oh.
From that talk, I really wanted to get into modeling too but that was a bit of a long-shot because there was nothing about me that said, “modelesque.” To put it mildly, I was quite a heavy, plain and shy girl.
But in my mother’s wisdom, she encouraged me anyway and found a class and signed me up. Every Saturday morning, I went to the Ala Moana Shopping Centre and learned how to walk runway style, how to stand with a smile as if in a beauty pageant, how to do my nails, style my hair and apply makeup etc, etc. My teacher’s name was Sonia C. Lugmao and I can still picture her sunny smile in my mind to this day. Our class also went to lunch to fancy restaurants in Honolulu and that’s where I was introduced to a classic French Onion Soup and yummy chocolate moose. It was a lovely class.
It also occurred to me this week that there are a couple of other similarities between my life as a 10 year old and my life as a 40 year old. I lived on an island in the Pacific then and I live on an island in the Pacific now. Also, after I graduated from my beauty class, I got into the habit of curling my hair every morning before school like Farah Fawcett. I coated the curls with a thick layer of hairspray on purpose so I could grab some hair at random and break the crispy glue over the course of the day. These days, I’m using a flat iron in the mornings to achieve a trendy look but I haven’t used hairspray in years. Also, in Hawaii, I went to a private Catholic school and we had to wear a uniform of a white shirt with the school’s crest and green striped skirt. At Aveda, we also have to wear only solid black and/or white clothes and eventually, once we get on the clinic floor, we’ll be getting an Aveda t-shirt and lab coat. Another uniform.
Everyone knows Hawaii is lush and beautiful beyond measure. We were blessed to have all kinds of plants growing near our house, like a generous lime tree (I didn’t appreciate my mother’s freshly-squeezed, no sugar added lime juice then but I sure would now), a leafy banana plant, and an orange Bougainvillea hedge near the pool. And juicy mangoes fell into our yard from the neighbour’s side. Everything was free for the plucking. Also in those days, taking care of the environment was not a concern for most of us but signs of pollution and a changing climate were starting to show up and be noticed. My first clue that something was out of whack was from the Plumeria tree. We had one on our property and the Hawaiians use the fragrant flower with loopy white petals for leis. Unfortunately, our tree was infested with tiny, gnat-like white flies that made the leaves and flowers sticky. Now, environmental stewardship and appreciation are part of my lifestyle.
It’s funny how our life paths unfold. As much as I’d like to write some more on this post, I have to get back to my studying — we have a quiz tomorrow.
Posted by Maria on March 27, 2010 under Aromatherapy, Face, Green Living, Home spa, Homespunspa, How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way book, Ingredients, Newspapers and Newsworthy, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Homespunspa is proudly committed to Earth Hour.
It’s Earth Hour tonight, on Saturday March 27th, 2010 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is asking everyone on the planet to turn their lights off for one whole hour to take a stand against climate change.
Are you looking for a green activity to do by candle light? How about having a home spa pajama party and giving yourself a clay and cocoa facial? I think this Homespunspa idea is the perfect way to mark Earth Hour because it’s green and relaxing all at the same time. And it’s no accident that I’m highlighting clay and cocoa in this recipe. To me, these ingredients are the home spa epitome of “earthiness” because clay is loaded with treasures like magnesium, calcium, iron, aluminum, sodium, potassium and silica and cocoa is the colour of dirt.
So invite some friends over for an Earth Hour home spa get together. Have them bring their favourite pajamas and sleeping bags. Get the candles and flashlights ready and mix the dry ingredients of this recipe together ahead of time. Goopy green faces are always good for a laugh or two and this might be the beginning of a great annual event for you and your sistas.
Cocoa & Clay Earth Hour Facial
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup green French Clay — is a key spa ingredient because it helps remove surface dirt and dead cells from skin and the experience of resting while topped in mud diffuses tension in a most pleasant way.
- 2 TB cocoa powder — chocolate lovers will be pleased to learn that a facial made with cocoa will not only reduce tension, it will also soften dry skin.
- 1 TB orrisroot powder — used to fix scents in herbal preparations and for mild fragrance.
- 1 TB dried calendula flower petals, powdered or chopped fine — use in facials for all skin types to clean pores, balance pH, heal capillaries, relax facial expression and destress.
- 12 drops carrot seed essential oil — is valued for its relaxing, restoring and nourishing properties. It refreshes and firms mature skin by detoxifying pores as well as by stimulating cell renewal and skin elasticity.
- 1 TB sweet almond oil — is a very popular ingredient in natural skincare because it has moisturizing, softening, soothing and skin conditioning properties.
- 1/4 cup water — extends recipe volume and provides a base to blend ingredients.
- 1 cucumber, cut into 2 round slices per person — known as a remedy for puffy eyes, but also has cleansing, moisturizing, softening, toning and pH-balancing properties.
Method:
- Combine green French clay, cocoa, orrisroot and calendula in a bowl and set aside until you’re ready to start your facial.
- A few minutes before Earth Hour starts (around 8:20 pm), dilute 12 drops of carrot seed essential oil in 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil in a small glass jar with a secure lid. (You can substitute ingredients and use your choice of essential oils and carrier oil). Shake to blend. Pour over clay and mix in.
- Start with a 1/4 cup of water and slowly add enough liquid to make a spreadable paste.
Manner:
- Lay a towel over a pillow where you plan to lie down. Light the candles.
- Remove make-up and rinse your face with water.
- Turn the lights off.
- Spread about a tablespoon of the wet paste onto your face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes. Smooth with your fingers.
- Lie back and place the cucumber on your eyes. Leave the clay on for 10 to 20 minutes. It will start to dry and harden but it doesn’t need to harden completely to be effective. Enjoy the nocturnal silence.
- Rinse off the crusty mask with plenty of cool-warm water and pat dry.
Storage: Store any leftover dry ingredients in a jar or bag. Will last indefinitely.
Enjoy your Earth Hour!
Posted by Maria on March 24, 2010 under Esthetics School, Fitness, Green Living, Home spa, Ingredients, Newspapers and Newsworthy, TV Shows, Uncategorized, Wellness |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Did you know that in 1993, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 22 as the World Day for Water? I didn’t. I just found out from Dr. Phil that March 21st to 27th, 2010 is World Water Week and the funny thing is, I was already going to write about water on this post anyway. There must be something in the air.
Everyone knows that water is the universal spa ingredient. It works on the inside of your body as something you can drink and it works on the outside as something you can bathe or swim in.
But today I want to write about bottled water and how I don’t recommend it for your home spa or your home gym. I must admit though that I am guilty of buying bottled water on a regular basis. I buy it mostly for my Jazzercise classes because it’s a convenient way for me to hydrate myself while I’m exercising and I also like to have some on hand for my earthquake emergency kit.
But last year, one of my co-workers forwarded this PowerPoint presentation to all staff in my office and it really opened my eyes: water-disaster1. What a wake up call. From watching this slideshow, I was shocked to learn the financial, health and environmental costs associated with bottled water:
- Financial: Apparently, the average U.S. citizen spends over $400 a year on bottled water. As someone who is about to become a student again, I need to save money wherever I can.
- Health: Because of temperature changes (which can be extreme) during shipment from the warehouse to the store to you, toxic chemicals from the plastic bottles can leach into the water and therefore into your body once you drink it which can cause serious damage to your health.
- Environmental: Producing cases of bottled water and transporting them by the truck load and then disposing the empties all have a significant (and often unnecessary) impact on the environment.
What really got me was the part about keeping the bottles of water in your car. I’m not doing that anymore.
The case for tap water
What happened to good ol’ tap water? Somewhere along the line we stopped trusting it. But as someone who lives on the west coast of Canada surrounded by majestic mountains, flowing rivers, vibrant lakes and the Pacific Ocean, I am blessed to have lovely, wholesome water delivered straight to my home whenever I want at the twist of my tap. So why am I buying water from France? It’s ridiculous if you think about it and one more point for the 100 mile diet.
You’ll be happy to know that ever since I saw the above presentation on water bottles, I have started bringing a refillable metal container full of tap water to class.
Access to fresh, clean water is a big deal for our planet but we take it for granite 
(as it’s often pronounced). But I think the tide is turning and people are becoming more and more appreciative of this resource every day. Even AVEDA, my esthetics school, has a policy of not allowing bottled water in the classrooms.
If you want to learn more about World Water Day and related events and how you can contribute, check out the UNICEF Tap Project.
And from now on, I pledge to drink tap water instead of bottled water. Right here, right now, I’m going to take a page from Oprah’s handbook and start my own pledge drive.
Homespunspa’s No Bottled Water Pledge
I, ____________, when given the choice between tap water from a healthy source and bottled water, pledge to choose to drink tap water. And, if I happen to buy and drink a commercially-made bottle of water, I will return the bottle for recycling and will get the deposit back. Every lit bit helps. Cheers!
If you would like to sign this pledge with me, please fill in this form below. THANKS!
