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 January 4, 2010 under Books, Magazines, Music, Fitness, Photo gallery, Pop-Psychology, Self-Care, Sleep, Spirituality, Stress Management and Relaxation, TV Shows, Uncategorized, Weight Management, Wellness |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
It’s already day four of the new year — how are your new year’s resolutions coming along? In 2009, I managed to reach some substantial personal fitness goals and I would like to share what I’ve learned so far in case getting in shape is one of your new year’s resolutions for 2010.
While I don’t clearly remember making a specific new year’s resolution last year to lose weight, my personal trainer has been keeping track of my progress and told me I have lost 24.5 inches (that’s 2 feet!), 20% of my body fat, 3 dress sizes and 40 pounds since July 2007.
Late December 2009 extended cardio Jazzercise class.
There I am front and center (what a keener!) at my last chance workout before Christmas. Yes, those are reindeer ears!
I still feel I have a ways to go before I hit the maintenance stage and I plan on sticking with my current exercise schedule as best as possible. I also have to figure out how to get my emotional eating under control.
The best advice I’ve heard lately is: “Move your body more and feed your body less.” Aside from that wisdom, here are some tips as they come to mind that have helped me get this far. I know they’re not rocket science, but they’re helpful none the less.
- Write down your goal. Writing things down makes things happen.
- Find an accountability partner or buddy. This person can be a professional or a friend. Having someone to talk to about your ups and downs really helps. If you’d like, you can contact me.
- Have someone weigh and measure you once a month. If you don’t know where you started, how can you brag later?
- Join a community. I’ve made lots of friends through Jazzercise and their support has been so vital to my success. I’m so thankful for all of their smiles and pats on the back.
- Drink lots of water throughout the day. Drinking water helps flush out toxins and will make you feel more full so you eat less.
- Get enough sleep at night. Studies show that regular sleep patterns have an effect on weight management.
- Memorize a fitting affirmation and repeat it to yourself often. Under the heading of “overweight” Louise L. Hay suggests in her book, You Can Heal Your Life, published by Hay House Publishers in 1999: “I am at peace with my own feelings; I am safe where I am; I create my own security; I love and approve of myself.”
- Cut your carbs in half. When I went from a whole English muffin to a half an English muffin for breakfast and from a whole sandwich to half a sandwich for lunch, it made a huge difference in my weight.
- Take the bus rather than your car whenever you can — it makes you walk more. Even those extra steps to the bus stop add up!
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
- Drink a cup of green tea or white tea before working out. According to Dr. Oz, this will help you burn an extra 17% to 19% fat while you move your body.
- Eat less sugar.
- Eat less salt.
- Eat less flour.
- Avoid commercially processed foods.
- Avoid carbonated beverages — even diet sodas.
- When you want to eat something and it’s not a mealtime, ask yourself how you’re feeling. Maybe you’re an emotional eater like I am and maybe you’re not really hungry. If whatever you eat doesn’t satisfy you and you’re still hungry afterwards, it may mean you’re trying to deal with an unpleasant emotion.
- In his cd’s, I Can Make You Thin, Paul McKenna advises people to chew their food at least 20 times before swallowing and to put the knife and fork or sandwich down between mouthfuls. I definitely agree that eating conscientiously is the way to go. Deliberately think about your food as you’re eating. Try to describe how it tastes, smells and feels in your mouth.
- Buy a treadmill and use it often. I know they’re expensive but I swear my treadmill is one of the best investments I’ve ever made.
- Put exercise on your daily schedule and do it. Don’t argue with yourself about whether or not to go to your class or the gym. It will only make things harder.
- Celebrate your small victories!
- Watch tv shows like “The Biggest Loser” and “X-Weighted.” They are so inspiring.
- Start today. Most people naturally gain weight in the autumn and winter months and lose weight in the spring and summer. Last year my co-workers started noticing my weight loss in April after very slow progress before then and I’m convinced my persistence really started paying off at that time of year because I was already in the habit of exercising regularly. It’s all in the timing. If you aren’t seeing results, don’t worry. Just keep at it week after week and eventually you’ll notice some improvement.
- Find exercise you enjoy. If you’re not the “Private Benjamin” type, try something other than boot camp.
- Have fun while you’re exercising. Once your endorphins kick in, you’ll feel great!
I think that’s all I have for now. I’m sure I’ll think of more later but I have to go to Jazzercise class now. It’s true!
By all means, leave a comment with your 2 cents on this topic. And happy new rear!
Posted by Maria on December 21, 2009 under Aromatherapy, Bath and Body, Books, Magazines, Music, Gift Ideas, Hands and Nails, Home spa, Homespunspa, How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way book, Ingredients, Photo gallery, Recipes, Self-Care, Sleep, Spirituality, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Winter Solstice is here. Today, December 21st, is the shortest day in terms of day light hours of the year. The sun will set in these parts at 4:17 pm and the day is already gray and overcast to begin with. On the bright side, the days are going to start getting longer again for the next six months starting tomorrow.
It seems like only yesterday I was writing about Summer Solstice and talking with my Swedish friends about how they sleep in broad daylight. I suspect they’re not having too much trouble in that regard these days.
My version of the star of wonder -- it's actually a photo I took of a lunar eclipse in March 2007.
All of this talk about astronomy is leading me to think about the night sky and how the three Wise Men followed the brightest star that would eventually lead them to the baby Jesus so they could deliver their gifts. If you want a refresher on the story, here are the words to the Christmas carol, We Three Kings of Orient Are, words and music by John H. Hopkins.
We Three Kings of Orient Are
(1) We Three Kings of Orient Are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
(chorus)
O, star of wonder
star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect light.
(2) Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign. (chorus)
(3) Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising, all men raising,
Worship Him, God most high. (chorus)
(4) Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb. (chorus)
(5) Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and sacrifice.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Earth to heav’n replies. (chorus)
Back in the days of yore, gold, frankincense and myrrh were considered the creme de la creme of gifts — if you had to shop for a king or queen or royalty of any kind, these presents would have been the way to go. These days, you don’t hear much about frankincense and myrrh, but of course, you still can’t go wrong by giving someone gold, (hint, hint:>).
Have you ever thought about adding gold, frankincense and myrrh to your home spa?
If you want to use frankincense, here is a lovely recipe for a Shower Sachet. Hanging this herbal sachet from your shower head as the water runs will generate a steamy aroma to take care of your mood, skin, hair and breathing passages all at the same time.
Shower Sachet
from the book, How to Throw a Home Spa Pajama Party the Homespunspa Way, by Maria Koropecky, page 78.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp cardamom seeds — Helpful in the home spa as a tension reliever, digestive aid and skin conditioner.
- 1 tsp thyme — Good for sleep. Adds shine and strength to dark hair.
- 1 tsp spearmint — Makes a refreshing, aromatic tea which chases away feverish colds, aids digestion, freshens breath and cools skin.
- 1 tsp sage — Combines with other herbs to induce sleep. Treats normal or damaged hair, giving it extra shine and covers gray stands.
- 1 tsp Frankincense crystals — Enhance deep breathing and meditation.
- 1 tsp fennel seeds — Used to tone the scalp and to wash normal hair.
- 1 tsp yarrow — Used for insomnia, headaches. Improves hair’s manageability. Excellent for oily or problem skin.
- 1 tsp lemon peel — Can be massaged into temples for headaches or added to bath products for zesty aroma.
Method: The easiest thing to use for the shower sachet is a pre-made (drawstring included) organza gift bag that you can find in a craft store. Or you can make your own pouch with cheesecloth and some ribbon. Place the herbs in the small bag and secure the opening.
Manner: Squeeze the bag with your fingers to release the aroma and tie it to the shower head so the water hits it as it runs. Turn on the shower and step inside. The steam from the shower should intensify the aroma of the herbs and your tension will evaporate. Your hair and skin will also benefit from the herbs.
Storage / Shelf-Life: Shelf-life will last at least 3 months, depending on the freshness of the original ingredients.
And if you want to use myrrh, here is a recipe for an exfoliating scrub. Ground rosehips add delightful red flecks to this purely luxurious recipe and you’ll be surprised by the depth of fragrance coming from the myrrh.
Sugar & Myrrh Massage Scrub for Hands
from the book, How to Throw a Home Spa Pajama Party the Homespunspa Way, by Maria Koropecky, page 56.
- 1 cup sugar — Granules are abrasive and make sweet alternatives to salt in exfoliating scrubs.
- 1 TB myrrh gum powder — Rich, exotic, velvety and smoky. It is known to treat dry skin and gum problems.
- 1 tsp rosehips, ground — Antidepressant and sedative. Add to beauty recipes for scent, colour and for their astringent, anti-inflammatory and wrinkle-reducing properties.
- 1/2 cup grapeseed oil — Ideal for massage because it is light, non-greasy, odourless and leaves a satin-smooth finish on skin.
Method: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly.
Manner: Massage mixture on your hands for a minute. Rinse off with warm water.
Storage / Shelf-Life: Keep leftovers in a sterilized jar in the fridge. Use within 3 months.
So I’ve got the frankincense and myrrh covered, but gold in a home spa treatment, you ask? Yes, it’s possible. Nowadays, you can find edible (food grade) gold leaf to add to your home spa recipes. And gold is not just a pretty face. Gold smooths out wrinkles, draws out impurities, softens skin and reduces puffiness. Gold gets glowing reviews all around. Apparently, Cleopatra, the mother of all home spa beauty secrets, slept with a gold mask on her face every night.
The thing is, I haven’t developed or tested a home spa recipe using gold yet. That’s on my to do list over the holidays. But here’s your chance to contribute a recipe to this blog. If you have a recipe using gold, by all means, post it here. You can leave your golden home spa recipe in a comment and I’ll make sure it appears online. I would really appreciate it. And as always, if you don’t know where you can find any of these ingredients or supplies, ask me and I’ll shed some light on the path for you.
Posted by Maria on December 8, 2009 under Ingredients, Recipes, Self-Care, Stress Management and Relaxation, TV Shows, Uncategorized, Weight Management, Wellness |
By Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
It’s always a challenge to come up with a quick and easy recipe to bring to a potluck party and after I was invited to a party last week, I really had to think about my options.
I love watching the TV show, Top Chef. I marvel at the contestants’ hot creativity. Each week during the “quick fire challenge” the players have to brainstorm a recipe concept and then somehow deliver a finished product in minutes — all the while keeping in mind details like, taste, plating design, specific ingredients, technique, originality and — and — while using tools like sharp knives and burning fire. Now that’s stress.
In my case, I had a few things to consider. The first involved my personal trainer’s specific dietary requirements. She has severe allergies to preservatives and that includes, but is not limited to, canned goods, commercially-processed foods and a few wild card ingredients like iceberg lettuce and grapes. She also gave me a bit of a lecture the night before the party on my own nutrition and strongly suggested I not eat anymore cheese or more than one piece of bread in a day. On top of all of that, the hostess of the party was completely off sugar.
I wanted to bring something everyone at the party could eat and would enjoy. I also wanted the dish to be healthy in the midst of all of the seasonal indulgences. And of course, the recipe had to be portable.
Let’s recap — the recipe for the potluck must be:
- tasty;
- healthy;
- without preservatives;
- without sugar;
- without gobs of fat;
- unprocessed;
- easy to make;
- easy to eat with one hand; and
- easy to move from point A to point B.
That’s a tall order. My first idea was to bring one of those shrimp platters because it’s basically lean protein. But, that’s too easy and has been done to death. It also occurred to me that someone at the party might have a shellfish allergy. So no go on the shrimp-o.
Then I thought about mushroom caps but I had no idea what to stuff them with (bacon? crab? artichokes?) and then the next morning as I was waking up, the radio station said something about “spinach.” That was my answer. I love it when that happens. I quickly leafed through several cookbooks and found three recipes that were close to what I wanted, but not quite. I had to come up with my own recipe and here it is:
Homespunspa’s Spinach-Stuffed Mushroom Caps
Homespunspa's Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms.
Ingredients:
- 20 – 25 fresh whole mushrooms, preferably organic.
- 1 bunch fresh spinach, rinsed with stems removed.
- 2-4 cloves of garlic, minced.
- 1 TB extra virgin olive oil.
- 1/3 cup no fat cottage cheese, drained.
- sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
Method:
For this recipe, you can make everything ahead and leave the baking for the party.
- Cut off the stems of the spinach leaves and rinse under cold water, checking for bits of soil that may be stuck to the leaves.
- Measure out a 1/3 cup of no fat cottage cheese and let it drain through a sieve.
- Pour a tablespoon of olive oil into a large skillet. Add minced garlic and cook on medium high heat.
- Quickly add the spinach and cook for 5 minutes or more until all of the spinach is uniformly cooked. Stir and make sure all of the spinach touches the garlic oil. The spinach will turn into a different consistency and will reduce in volume. Salt to taste and to brighten the green colour. Remove the cooked spinach from the heat into a separate medium-sized bowl.
- Meanwhile, clean the mushrooms and remove the stems by twisting and pulling or with a knife. Finely dice the stems and set aside the caps.
- Using the residual garlic oil from the spinach, pan fry the diced mushroom stems separately, about 1-2 minutes, to release some flavour. Now is a good time to add some freshly cracked black pepper because mushrooms and pepper really get along well with each other.
- In a medium bowl, combine the spinach, mushroom stems and cottage cheese. Spoon the mixture into each mushroom cap.
- (Note: If you’re planning to serve these right away, you can skip this step and go to step #8). Put the finished mushrooms in a re-sealable container. If your container is really big like mine is, I suggest putting something in between your stuffed mushroom caps and the lid so they don’t bounce around during transport. As a last minute burst of genius, if I do say so myself, I placed a small ceramic cooking dish over my stuffed mushrooms and not only did my mushrooms arrive in tact, I had a convenient cooking vessel at the party.
- Once you’re at the party, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the mushrooms on the baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes and voila! Serve while hot.
Please pack your knives and go?
I bet you’re curious to know what happened. How did the mushrooms turn out? “Did I pack my knives and go?” “Was I chopped?” “Did my cuisine reign supreme?” The jury is mixed on the results of my own Top Chef challenge. On the one hand, everyone who tasted them, loved them! They raved and raved. And there were no leftovers to take home. On the other hand, mushrooms, are a no-no on my trainer’s list, so she couldn’t eat any after all. It didn’t matter if they were organic and fresh and not canned. It didn’t matter how much love and thought I put into them. She just plain can’t eat mushrooms. Another one of those wild card ingredients. I was so bummed to hear that. I guess it’s back to the drawing board for me.
You be the judge
If you decide to try this recipe, let me know how it worked out for you. I would love to hear your comments and your feedback.
Posted by Maria on December 2, 2009 under Books, Magazines, Music, Pop-Psychology, Self-Care, Sleep, Spa and Sleep Dictionary, Spirituality, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized, Wellness |
By Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Sometimes I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat and other nights it’s a bit of a struggle. Last night, even though I was tired, I was having trouble with the drifting off phase — until I had an idea.
I selected my “Christmas” playlist on my iPod, and lo and behold, it did the trick. I was asleep in no time. I liked listening to the songs because they embody hope and optimism and after not hearing them for a year, they were fresh to my ears. I’m listening to more carols now while I write this post.
You are never too old to enjoy a lullaby
Lullabies are soothing songs that are sung to send children of all ages to the land of nod. They have been around since the days of yore and before and can be found in every corner of the earth, from ancient times to modern. The tunes are simple, melodious and comforting.
It’s in the science
Studies show that listening to music that you like can help you fall asleep faster. Not only does the music lower your heart rate — which can be escalating during this hectic season — it can improve your mood and reduce your stress levels. It has been shown that once your brain registers pleasing sounds, it responds by sending out instructions to the rest of your body to calm down. As a result, your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure become more even and your muscles relax. Meanwhile, your brain waves will gradually shift to slower, more sleep-inducing rhythms. And you get a little endorphin boost in the process.
‘Tis the season for Christmas carols
Because of their tone, lyrics and melody, some Christmas carols can be considered lullabies. Have you ever noticed that Christmas carols often talk about “night,” “rest,” and “peace?” Christmas is about the birth of the baby Jesus after all.
Here are the lyrics from some of my favourite, classic Christmas carols.
Away in a Manger
First published in 1885.
Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing,
The poor Baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side,
Until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care,
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
This carol was written by American, Edmund Sears and first published in 1849.
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold.
“Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!”
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world.
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
O ye beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.
O Holy Night
A carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem Minuit, chrétiens, or Midnight, Christians, written by Placide Cappeau.
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night , O Holy Night, O night divine
O night , O Holy Night, O night divine.
Silent Night
The original German lyrics for Stille Nacht were written by Austrian priest, Father Josef Mohr with the melody composed by Franz Haver Gruber. The English translation was published by John Freeman Young in 1859.
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born!
Christ, the Saviour is born!
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
I hope everybody has a wonderful month of December and Christmas season this year. And if you’re having trouble sleeping, try listening to some Christmas lullabies.
Posted by Maria on November 26, 2009 under Aromatherapy, Gift Ideas, Green Living, Hands and Nails, Home spa, Homespunspa, How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way book, Ingredients, Recipes, Self-Care, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized, Wellness |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday of the year because it’s all-inclusive and not restricted to any one group of people and it doesn’t have commercial hype surrounding it. I don’t know why Thanksgiving isn’t more popular outside of America and we’ve been basking in this gravy boat since the mid-1800’s. It’s about celebrating the harvest, being thankful and spending time with your loved ones. And I love the Thanksgiving day dinner menu — turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing and Brussels sprouts and pumpkin pie, etc., etc., etc. This year, as my neighbours south of the border are celebrating Thanksgiving, I’m thinking about cranberries.
The fourth Thursday of November also marks the beginning of the Christmas holiday season, so I thought I would put together a series of home spa gift ideas and recipes for people to make themselves and give as gifts this year, all on a modest budget. I’m all for hand made and home made Christmas gifts. This recipe is my first post of this series:
Cranberry Body Lotion
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp cocoa butter — Used in skincare for its moisturizing and cleansing properties.
- 1 tsp coconut oil — Moisturizes skin, conditions hair and the scent can whisk your imagination off to a tropical beach.
- 1/2 cup apricot kernel oil — A popular carrier oil since it is emollient and nourishing and leaves the skin feeling soft.
- 1 tsp beeswax — Can be used in many applications around the spa but is most often used for its comforting scent and to thicken cosmetics.
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice — Cranberries are loaded with Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. The juice can be taken internally as a drink or applied externally for healthy skin. Cranberries have anti-bacterial properties which act as a natural preservative in the recipe.
- 1 tsp aloe vera gel — Soothing, cooling and is an anti-irritant. The gel-like substance is an excellent natural remedy for any skin problem.
- 1/2 tsp glycerin — A vegetable product which comes out as a clear syrup and is a natural moisturizer which adds body to beauty recipes.
- 1 tsp honey — A natural humectant, honey has moisturizing and antiseptic qualities. It’s ideal for treating chapped lips and wrinkles.
- 1 Vitamin E oil capsule — Vitamin E can be found in over-the-counter capsules in pharmacies or in liquid form or in foods like vegetable oils, whole grains, wheatgerm and nuts. It helps prevent scar tissue and may reduce anxiety. It is also widely used as a natural preservative.
- 5 drops orange essential oil — uplifting orange eases depression, calms anxiety and lulls nervous tension. It also softens and hydrates skin, making it a pleasant addition to bath products.
Method: Melt the cocoa butter and coconut oil in the microwave or in the top pan of a double boiler. Blend in the apricot oil over low heat.
In a separate deep bowl, using an electric hand mixer or wire whisk, mix together the cranberry juice, aloe vera, glycerin, honey and Vitamin E.
To combine the two liquids, drizzle in a small amount of warm oil mixture into the bowl with the cranberry juice and beat or whisk vigorously (as if making an emulsified salad dressing). Continue to drizzle and blend until all of the oil is infused with the juice. Stir in 5 drops of orange essential oil.
Manner: After a lengthy soak in the tub or hot shower, apply the lotion to your body to help the skin retain moisture.
Storage/Shelf Life: Pour into a sterilized container and label. Shake the contents of the bottle as the mixture may have separated since you’ve made it. Will last up to 1 year.
I hope you enjoy making this recipe and get good results. The cranberry juice will add a pink tinge to the lotion and will be festive for this time of year. Make a note to come back to this blog over the next few weeks for more home spa gift ideas and quick and easy recipes.
And please let me know what kinds of recipes you would like me to showcase here. I’m open to suggestions.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Posted by Maria on November 23, 2009 under Pop-Psychology, Self-Care, Sleep, Uncategorized, Wellness |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Sink your teeth into this: A naturopath told me once, if you keep your mouth, gums and teeth healthy, your body will thank you later. But if they’re unhealthy and you’re constantly swallowing traces of debris that have been lingering in your mouth, you could be making yourself ill.
Keeping this nugget in mind, a few weeks ago, I went to the dentist for a regular check up and cleaning. My dentist touched a nerve and the pain shot all the way down to my toes. I had to come back a few weeks later to get a filling.
Getting the filling wasn’t so bad. At least my dentist has a TV for me to watch.
The problem was, after the numbness wore off, the pain on the left side of my mouth continued, particularly in the evening hours. Occasionally, it would wake me up in the middle of the night. I couldn’t understand why the pain seemed to come from the whole side of my mouth and not just the upper part where the work was done. I also noticed, if I breathed with my mouth open, I could feel the cool breeze on my teeth.
I finally bit the bullet and called my dentist to make another appointment. I could only put up with the pain for so long.
The dentist had a look under the hood and deduced it was an issue with how my teeth were lining up together on the bite after the filling was installed. He proceeded to file down my teeth. It was unpleasant but not painful. I was picturing one of those electric sanding tools you use when you’re about to paint furniture, but that wasn’t the case. First the hygienist did some work and she had a soft touch compared to the experience-laden hands of my dentist. But when either of them hit my nerve, I instantly swatted their hands away from my face. It’s funny how a purely instinctive reaction kicks in to avoid pain. The brain works in mysterious ways.
Anyway, as it turned out, my dentist explained what happened. After I had the filling, my bite was misaligned, so my brain said, “I’ll fix this” and I ended up grinding my teeth at night in a futile effort to even things out. That grinding prevented me from getting a full night’s sleep and it also caused sensitivity in my teeth. Fascinating, I know. Like I said, the brain works in mysterious ways.
I was really shocked to hear that I grind my teeth. I know I’ve been stressed lately but I didn’t realize I was grinding my teeth to release some of my tension.
The formal word for tooth grinding is Bruxism and it’s a big deal. One of my former co-workers grinded her teeth at night and suffered from the worst cluster headaches, preventing her from going to work on some days. She was diagnosed with Bruxism and had to get a special mouth guard.
My point is, if you have a problem with tooth sensitivity or tooth grinding, talk to your dentist about your bite. They can tell at a glance if you’ve been griding your teeth. Maybe using Sensodyne toothpaste for the rest of your life isn’t the only answer.
Posted by Maria on November 20, 2009 under Dating, Hands and Nails, Home spa, Homespunspa, How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way book, Ingredients, Recipes, Self-Care, Spa and Sleep Dictionary, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized, Wellness |
By Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
It’s Friday and you’re going out on the town tonight. Maybe you have a hot date. Why not give yourself a quick home spa manicure and get some housecleaning done too?
In my last post, Dishwashing — Good Clean Fun, I mentioned that I would write a post on manicures at a later date. Well, here it is.
As some of you know, I have written a book called, How To Throw a Home Spa Pajama Party the Homespunspa Way and I have a whole chapter dedicated to manicures.
I think taking care of our hands is important because they really work hard for us. They are our primary envoys and ambassadors which we send out to investigate and influence our physical world. And like diplomats, we need to treat them like V.I.P.’s with the best of the best. And like diplomats, they need to be polished and well-groomed even during the toughest of negotiations.
Steps to a home spa manicure
- Soaking
- Exfoliating
- Cleaning
- Shaping
- Massaging
- Moisturizing
- Buffing
- Painting
The housekeeping part is optional, of course, and happens at the beginning of this process because no one wants to accidentally wreck their freshly painted nails.
Step 1: Soak your nails — While washing dishes, your nails and cuticles will soften and the dirt under your nails will loosen. This part will set the stage for the rest of the manicure.
Step 2: Exfoliate your hands — If you don’t have time for this step tonight, you can skip it. Here is a recipe for a quick scrub for your hands:
Milk and Sugar Scrub
Ingredients:
- 1/4 Sugar (white or brown) — Brown and white sugar granules are abrasive and make sweet alternatives to salt in exfoliating scrubs.
- 2 TB Safflower Oil — Excellent carrier oil in massage and has conditioning properties that promote healthy skin and hair.
- 2 TB Evaporated or Fresh Milk — Moisturizes, nourishes and softens skin.
Method: In a bowl, mix together the sugar, safflower oil and milk into a creamy consistency.
Manner: Gently massage the mixture all over your hands to exfoliate dry skin and increase circulation. Rinse with warm water.
Storage/Shelf Life: Pour any left over mixture into a sterilized jar. Store in refrigerator for a couple of days. Discard if fresh milk sours.
Step 3: Clean your nails — By now, you should probably feel how soft your hands are. After you have rinsed the scrub from your hands, take a moment to clean under the nail tips with an orange stick or similar tool.
Step 4A: Shape your nails –Using nail clippers, cut your nails. For a rounded tip, cut both sides of the nail on the diagonal and trim the point off the top. Then, you can use a fine emery board to soften the edges but make sure you use long, sweeping strokes in the same direction to avoid possible splintering.
Step 4B: Shape your cuticles — Here is a quick recipe for cuticle oil:
Lemongrass and Rosemary Cuticle Oil
Ingredients
- 2 TB Olive Oil — Calms, soothes, nourishes, cleans, softens and moisturizes skin. This heavy, fragrant and stable oil can be used as a base in massage oils and moisturizing creams.
- 2 drops Rosemary Essential Oil — Lifts depression, erases fatigue and relaxes stiff muscles.
- 3 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil — Strong anti-bacterial properties and is useful for treating problem skin and acne.
Method: Add the drops of essential oils into a tiny, sterilized glass bottle. Roll the mixture around the bottle to blend. Carefully pour the olive oil up to the bottle’s shoulder. Replace the lid and roll again to compound the oils.
Manner: Dot each nail with the cuticle oil and rub in using the ball of your thumb. With an orange stick or similar tool or your thumbnail from your other hand, gently push the cuticles back to expose the lunula (whitish half-moon arc) at the base. Without using scissors, gently peel away any thin bits of extra skin. You should have a nice clean edge defining the area between your nail and your skin, the nail folds.
Storage/Shelf-Life: Label and date the mixture. Keep the bottle tightly closed and store in a cool, dark place for a year or so.
Steps 5 and 6: Massaging and Moisturizing — Make it a routine to massage your hands with moisturizer or massage oil daily. You can use the cuticle oil for this step also, if you’d like. Here are steps to a moisturizing hand massage:
- Apply moisturizing cream.
- Stroke down from your wrist to your knuckle.
- Squeeze between each finger with the thumb and index finger of the other hand.
- Massage between and along each finger with firm circular movements.
- Scissor each finger with the first and second fingers of the other hand, pulling firmly and gently from the base to the tips.
- Massage the palm of one hand with the thumb of the other, using a circular motion.
- Using firm, upward movements, stroke excess oil from the palm to the elbow. Lift the hand away at the end of each stroke.
- Massage the forearm from the wrist to below the elbow with more thumb circles.
Step 7: Buff your nails — With a nail buffing tool or chamois cloth, buff your nails until you notice a natural, healthy-looking sheen. Buffing is just applying some friction to the top of the nail and the cut edges to clean up any residue and to prepare the surface for nail polish. Buffing your nails helps boost circulation, even out ridges and seal nail tips. If you would like to add extra shine, dust your nails with some cornstarch before you begin the buffing step.
Step 8: Painting your nails — Starting with your non-writing hand and working from the pinky to the thumb, apply a clear, protein-enriched base coat of enamel to each nail on your writing hand. Have your hand lie flat on a solid surface and place the wet brush of clear base on the lunula of each nail and drag it evenly toward the tip — painting evenly from the left of the nail, then over to the right, then down the middle.
After the clear base coat has dried, (takes about 10 minites) apply a coat of polish in a colour that flatters your skin tone. Take your time and be careful not to let the polish spread across the nail folds (ridges that join your nail to your fingertip’s skin). If you happen to colour outside the lines, it’s no big deal, just clean it up with a hint of acetone-free nail polish remover.
Wait at least 10 minutes and after the first coat has completely dried, then apply a second coat of colour to each nail. After 10 more minutes, you can paint a final clear coat to add shine and have an extra layer of protection against chipping.
There it is, a home spa manicure. If you try any of these recipes, let me know how it worked out.
Posted by Maria on November 18, 2009 under Aromatherapy, Green Living, Home spa, Homespunspa, How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way book, Ingredients, Pets, Photo gallery, Pop-Psychology, Self-Care, Sleep, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized |
By Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Here I am washing dishes (circa early 1970's).
Which do you think is greener — washing your dishes by hand or with an automatic dishwasher?
I was surprised to learn from my online research that it is marginally better for your purse and the environment to wash your dishes with an automatic dishwasher than it is to wash them by hand.
I said “marginally” because there are a lot of variable factors involved in the final tallies, like whether or not you fill the dishwasher to capacity every load, how you heat your water, whether or not you rinse your dishes first, what kind of soap you use, how new and efficient the appliance is, how new and efficient you are;> etc. etc.
Given that I don’t have a dishwasher appliance in my home, I have to wash dishes the old fashioned way. It says “Chief, Cook and Bottle Washer” on my business card, by the way. Of course if I had the option, I would choose to use an automatic dishwasher in my quest to live a greener life but hand-washing dishes has its benefits too.
In defense of hand washing dishes
Communication — Back in the days when I was living in my first apartment on Piccadilly Street, one my friends mentioned a study that she had read that talked about washing dishes. She said that the study concluded that if two people, like say a mother and a daughter or a husband and a wife, were having a hard time getting along or if there was a difficult subject that needed discussing, washing dishes together was a good way to get the conversation going. Sometimes it’s hard to look someone square in the eye and tell them what you really think and feel. If you’re busy doing a mindless task and so is the other person and are not posed in a confrontational stance and neither is the other person, and you’re working to achieve a common goal like cleaning the kitchen, it sets the stage for lots of deep and interesting talks.
You’re soaking in it — Remember good ol’ Madge, the manicurist, from the Palmolive commercial? (I believe that’s an almost empty bottle of Palmolive on the window sill in the above picture). Washing dishes by hand is a great home spa trick. It’s like a bubble bath for your hands! If you don’t have the time or money to go and get your nails done on a regular basis, try adding a little home spa treatment into your daily routine. Think of washing dishes as “me time.” Let your mind wander as you go about your tasks. Appreciate the quiet time. Play with the soapy water. Afterwards, grab yourself a cup of tea and give yourself a manicure — more on that at a later post.
Aromatherapy — I can’t say I’m entirely convinced about this one but I did buy my latest bottle of Dawn botanicals dishwashing liquid because it said “soothing relaxant” on the label and because the colour was purple.
One more chance to wash your hands — There has been a lot of talk about washing your hands often to reduce your chances of catching the flu and getting sick. I think I have managed to dodge the H1N1 Swine Flu bullet this year because I hand wash my dishes and therefore wash my hands daily. Something to think about.
Sense of Accomplishment — After a little elbow grease, it’s a nice feeling to see a clean and tidy kitchen. There is a rich reward in getting the job done with your own two hands.
Over to you — Do you wash your dishes by hand or appliance? Which do you think is better? Feel free to comment.
Posted by Maria on November 11, 2009 under Books, Magazines, Music, Face, Home spa, Ingredients, Newspapers and Newsworthy, Recipes, Self-Care, Sleep, Uncategorized |
By Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Remembrance Day – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Also known as Poppy day, Armistice Day or Veterans’ Day, it’s a day to remember the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.
I like the tradition we have in Canada of wearing a poppy on our lapel as an emblem signifying we will not forget the people who have put service before self to give us a better life.
The red flowered Corn poppy is the poppy of wartime remembrance. It is actually a common weed found throughout Europe, and specifically in regions of Belgium and France, also known as Flanders Fields.
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
- John McCrae
Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps doctor.
First published in Punch magazine on December 8, 1915.
Because poppies are the flower of the day, I thought I’d offer a home spa recipe using this plant. Poppy flowers and seeds have a long and strong tradition of being associated with sleep. As a home spa ingredient, seeds can be ground into a milky, exfoliating paste which is useful for softening dry, cracking skin and the flowers can be blended in tea for sleeplessness, stress and tension.
When I lived in Belgium many years ago, a gardener asked me what my favourite flower was. “I love poppies,” I said. I had seen the wild, red flowers peppered across the European countryside in fields far and wide and they are quite a vision to behold. That was the day I learned the French word, “Coquelicot.”
I rummaged through my books and found a simple recipe, Lotion au coquelicot, in a book my mother gave me after her last trip to France a few years ago. The book is called, Les secrets de la beaute au naturel, written by Nicole Houques and Henri del Olmo and published in 2000 by Editions du Chene – Hachette Livre.
I’ll translate the “Poppy Lotion” recipe from French as best I can.
Lotion au coquelicot
Les secrets de la beaute au naturel, p 68
Ingredients:
- 60 g of dried poppy petals
- 1 litre of boiling water
Method:
Bring 1 litre of water to a boil and then extinguish the heat source. Throw the petals in the pot and let them infuse into the water for 15 minutes. Filter out the petals and leave the infused water to cool. Pour into a bottle.
Manner:
Apply the poppy petal infusion to your clean face. This lotion lessens fine lines and softens the skin.
Lotion au coquelicot
