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 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 March 13, 2010 under Aromatherapy, Bath and Body, Face, Feet, Hair, Homespunspa, How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way book, Ingredients, Newspapers and Newsworthy, Pop-Psychology, Sleep, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
It’s time to spring forward again. At 2:00 am on the second Sunday in March, we set our clocks ahead one whole hour to go to Daylight Saving Time and therefore magically lose an hour of the day over the course of the night.
I never really understood the concept behind Daylight Saving Time but have accepted this practice as one of the rhythms of the season. If nothing else, it reminds me to flip my mattress.
All of this extra sunshine is great, but there is a bit of a downside to this shift. Apparently, driving to work on the second Monday in March is slightly more dangerous than usual because the time change on the weekend disrupts people’s sleep patterns and causes them to be extra groggy on the road, which contributes to more traffic accidents.
So, I thought I would help people maximize their limited sleep time and reduce crashes by talking about Chamomile today.
Chamomile
With its apple-like scent and taste, Chamomile (which looks more like a Daisy) helps calm the nervous system and is used as a natural sleep remedy. Spanish chamomile is called manzanilla which means “little apple” but the generic name “Chamomile” is derived from the Greeks who referred to this herb as kamai which means “on the ground” and melon which means “apple.” The term “road apples” comes to mind every time I try to remember this, but that’s something totally different. 
It’s Saturday Night, Why Am I Drinking Tea?
There are lots of things you can do tonight with Chamomile before you go to bed, to help you get a good night’s sleep in spite of being cheated out of an hour. Here are some tips from my book, How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa Way:
- Drink a cup of chamomile tea for sleeplessness, nightmare prevention, depression, anxiety, anger, headaches, indigestion, female issues and shock;
- Place warm tea bags on your eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles;
- Use chamomile water as a toner in your facial to clean pores, relax facial expression, and de-stress (good for all skin-types);
- Use as a hair rinse to add highlights and gloss, repair damage, encourage hair growth, and for a relaxing fragrance;
- Use chamomile essential oil in foot creams to fight fungus;
- Add to bathwater and soap recipes and take a bath right before bed;
- For extra aromatherapy, spray your bedroom and sheets with comforting chamomile linen water;
- Use the herb in sleep pillows;
- Add chamomile essential oil to massage oil to relax, foster sleep, lift depression, soothe pain, and strengthen breathing.
Enjoy your weekend and may your commutes to and from work be smooth and clear this week. Feel free to add your comments and tips to this post.
Posted by Maria on February 26, 2010 under Aromatherapy, Books, Magazines, Music, Gift Ideas, Meditation, Photo gallery, Pop-Psychology, Sleep, Sponsors, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized, Wellness |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
I love my iPod. Admittedly, when I found out my new car had an iPod jack on the dash, I was sold. I have access to 14.2 days of music and a playlist for every mood.
According to Spa Finder, the Global Spa & Wellness Directory, “high tech” is one of the top spa trends in 2010. Apparently, some people are gravitating to spas that allow them to listen to their iPod while getting a massage.
At first blush, the idea of using techno gadgets in a natural spa setting sounded a little counter-intuitive to me, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized technology and gadgets may have a place in spa land.
Originally, I was concerned that the relationship between the customer and the massage therapist, would be compromised because a big part of going to a spa and getting a spa treatment is interacting with the people who work there and not tuning them out. But some people aren’t chatty and don’t want to engage in small talk. Personally, I never want to chit chat during a massage and I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I always close my eyes and listen to the music when I get my hair washed at the hair salon. For those five minutes, I just want to relax and soak it all in.
I guess it all depends on the treatment you’re getting. Like if you’re getting a face-to-face, hands on manicure or pedicure then maybe leave your iPod at home. And by all means, don’t even think about your Blackberry or cell phone. Texting is a sure fire way to wreck a fresh manicure. And this is your time to relax. The outside world can wait.
I probably wouldn’t bring my iPod to a massage simply because it’s one more thing to drag around and one more thing to accidentally forget and leave behind. Hello, high tipper. And where are you going to put it while you’re receiving your treatment?
On the other hand, if I were to bring my iPod to the spa, I have a few ideas on what the soundtrack would be. For a spa-like ambiance, I’d pick my aromatherapy playlist, with titles like “Awaken the Senses,” “Eternal Wave,” and “Lavender Mist.” Over the years, I have collected several spa-themed cd’s to help me relax and fall asleep. The (often instrumental) music is gentle and soothing and may have overlapping layers of nature sounds like waves rolling onshore or birds chirping in the trees, for added comfort. I’m actually listening to “Natural Sleep Inducement” right now as I write. Yawn and stretch.
Of course you can’t go wrong with Enya. Her music will whisk you off to the Caribbean in no time.
If, however, world music isn’t your cup of tea, and you prefer white noise or selections that have been specifically designed to help you reach a deep, meditative state, then I recommend Holosync from Centerpointe. I have been listening to their cd’s for years and really enjoy them. Check out Holosync through my banner “Meditate like a Zen Monk at the push of a button” in the sidebar to get your free demo. I think listening to Holosync while getting a massage would be a stellar combination.
More and more, people are bringing their iPods to the spa. Photo by Maria Koropecky.
What do you think? If given the choice, would you prefer to listen to your iPod while receiving a spa treatment like a massage? Do you think your iPod would enhance your spa experience or would it get in the way? Would you pick a spa that said “thumbs up” to iPods over one that didn’t? Please leave a comment, I’m curious to know your thoughts on this topic. And if you’re a spa tech or massage therapist or an esthetician, I’d like to hear your opinions too.
Posted by Maria on February 12, 2010 under Books, Magazines, Music, Fitness, Gift Ideas, Home spa, Pets, Photo gallery, Pop-Psychology, Sleep, TV Shows, Uncategorized, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, Weight Management, Wellness, Yoga |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
The Olympics are here! The Olympics are here!
Yesterday, while I was in the midst of running on the treadmill (24 minutes non-stop — a new record for me), I was chatting with my personal trainer and she was telling me her plans for re-decorating her studio. I was surprised to hear that she has been planning to install a tv near the treadmill for quite some time.
I suggested now is the perfect time to set up her tv because in the past, I’ve found watching the Olympics while exercising myself to be a lot of fun. It just gives you an extra boost of energy and somehow you end up increasing your speed and your enthusiasm. She agreed wholeheartedly and said “It’s a great motivator” and “thanks for the reminder!”
Here I am after one of my workouts with my trainer.
If you’d like to add a home gym to your home spa, here are my suggestions. Start small and build as you can. And don’t just admire it, use it!
- Dedicate Space: Where will you workout? Do you have access to a spare room or is your living room multi-purpose like mine is? If you’re going to be setting up shop in your living room (I don’t recommend your bedroom because the equipment and the activity will interfere with your sleeping environment), then you’ll want to choose equipment that you can store and access easily. I have a treadmill that folds and stands upright against a wall and that works for me. I keep it next to the tv so when it’s time for a walk/run, I just move the coffee table and extend the platform and I’m off to the races.
- Big Equipment: I’ve already mentioned a treadmill because that’s what I use. I highly recommend getting one. They can be quite expensive and keep in mind that the cheaper ones will be noisy (which will annoy the rest of your household) and will not have a lot of extra bells and whistles, like built in heart-rate monitors or a cushy running base, but even a cheap one is good to have. If you prefer some other equipment or have a lot of extra room, you can look into buying an elliptical trainer, a stairmaster, a stationary bike, a rowing machine or a strength-training machine. You might even consider installing a pole which will work your abs like nothing else once you get past the hanging upsidedown part. Your home gym will be really high end if you also have access tennis courts and swimming pools and saunas. I have a friend you had a squash/basketball court in his house which was really cool, I always thought.
- Handy Equipment: There’s a ton of great equipment that you can use in your home gym. Start with a yoga mat for your stretches. Hand-held weights are useful to have — start with low weights (two each of 1-, 2-, 3- & 5-pounders) and work your way up to 7’s, 8’s, 10’s, 12’s, 15’s, and 20-pluses. There are also adjustable weights you can strap on to your legs. For more resistance, get some tubes or bands that come in green, red, pink and purple depending on their strength. Suzanne Summers’ Thigh Master is still a winner. There are also inflatable pilates balls that are very versatile but only buy the ones that say “anti-burst.” You can also buy a mini trampoline or a low-tech jump rope that will really save space. I also have a plastic step from the 90’s which I’m planning to use again one of these days. Remember to use the built-in stairs in your house, too. My trainer has a Bosu (that half-ball in the picture) and last week on the Biggest Loser, I saw an Olympic athlete balance on one foot while doing the hoola-hoop on one. It looked fun and hard to do at the same time. I wonder if you can buy those speed skating gliding strips that they also used on the Biggest Loser for home use? My trainer told me that those are way harder than they look and are great for building endurance.
- Extra Features: To make your home gym more enjoyable, design it with care. If it’s a dark and dingy room in your basement, you won’t use it. To brighten things up, install a large, full-length mirror so you can see your form while you’re working out. Also, having a tv within sight that plays your favourite workout videos will add variety to your exercise routine. A stereo is also good to have. I have a few playlists on my iPod that I listen to while running. Also hanging posters with inspiring quotes and photos of fit people also help with motivation. And have a place for your bottle of water. Remember also to plug in some fans to circulate air. Even though I always seem to forget this, have a clean towel handy. You might also like to buy tools like heart-rate monitors and pedometres to track your progress.
- A note on safety: Make sure your home gym will give you an effective workout and will also be a safe environment for you. I advise getting pets and small children out of the room while you’re exercising. Also, make sure the room is clean and uncluttered and there aren’t any tripping hazards or electrical overload concerns with your equipment. Read the safety manuals and use the equipment as intended. Clean your equipment regularly with disinfectant wipes, especially if many people are using the facilities.
I hope you use your home gym for many years to come. Invite your friends and workout buddies over from time to time so they can enjoy your gym too. Leave a comment and tell us about your home gym. And have fun working out while watching the Olympics — that’s what I’ll be doing for sure.
Posted by Maria on February 2, 2010 under Fitness, Ingredients, Photo gallery, Pop-Psychology, Sleep, Stress Management and Relaxation, TV Shows, Uncategorized, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, Weight Management |
Dear Olympic Athletes:
If you’re angling to win a medal in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games — which are starting with or without snow in Vancouver/Whistler British Columbia in just 10 short days (gasp) — listen up for some homespun advice: Eat salmon the night before your competition to get a better night’s sleep.
The meal you choose the night before your event(s) could make the difference between hearing your national anthem or someone else’s. After all of your months and years of intense training, getting a good night’s sleep and fueling your body with optimum food, will give you a winning advantage. I suggest eating wild salmon while you’re here in BC.
Why Salmon?
- Wild salmon is a golden source of omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce pain and inflammation, improve memory and focus and contribute to cardiovascular health — all vital priorities for high-caliber athletes;
- DHA, a healthy fat in salmon, may fast-track levels of melatonin, a key sleep-regulating hormone;
- Salmon contains magnesium which helps us sleep. Low magnesium, on the other hand, is associated with things like muscle-cramping, anxiety and fatigue;
- Wild salmon is also fresh and local in these parts — or as they say, well-within our 100-Mile diet; and
- Salmon’s tenacious spirit has “Olympics” written all over it.
A fresh salmon fillet on the grill.
Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to your success. Shoot for at least seven hours of solid sleep every night. Remember to give yourself enough days to get over your jet lag and to adjust to Vancouver time. Also, keep your body temperature on the cool side while you’re sleeping and keep your room dark — thank goodness these are the winter games!
If you don’t sleep well, the resulting fatigue can affect your judgment and increase your risk for accidents. Does anyone out there remember the vintage “agony of defeat” ad for ABC’s, the Wide World of Sports? I think I’ve made my point.
Sushi anyone?
Sincerely,
Maria Koropecky
Homespunspa, Recipes for Sleep and Beauty
http://www.homespunspa.com
Posted by Maria on January 18, 2010 under Home spa, Ingredients, Pets, Photo gallery, Pop-Psychology, Sleep, TV Shows, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
How do you like your eggs? Your answer may say a little something about your lifestyle, attitude and your sleep.
Today I thought I’d lighten things up with a cheaky eggspose and write about eggs and bring some yokey yellow to the January blues.
Without further adieu, let’s get cracking. Here is a list of a dozen egg dishes for you to eggsplore.
If you prefer your eggs:
- Poached – The word “coddled” comes to mind. So does “soft-in-the-middle” like in Paul Simon’s song, “You can call me Al.” Life is easy for you. You have a gentle nature and rarely lose your temper. You’re a regular at the local day spa because you love the mani’s and pedi’s. And breaking a nail means you’ve over-eggzerted yourself. But before you get spoiled from all of this pampering, I suggest turning the tables and returning the favour to someone else. Maybe open your own spa?
- Egg-Salad Sandwich – What could be better than boiled eggs mixed with mayo, celery, and green onion nestled between two pieces of white bread? The mayo, which adds extra eggy goodness, binds all of the ingredients together making sure everyone is together and tucked in under the covers. There’s lots of eggstra stuff on the bed like pillows and pets, but you don’t mind, the more the merrier. Your happy family is snug as a bug in a rug.
- Sunny-Side-Up – Obviously, you’re the glass is half-full type. Your positive attitude makes sleeping at night a breeze. You enjoy fun-filled flying dreams and haven’t had a nightmare in ages. You wake up refreshed and optimistic. However, since fast-frying is the quickest way to cook an egg and you have no time for fussing with any extra techniques, the down-side is, you may be a little impatient.
- Hard Boiled – I hate to break it to you but you’re a bit of a curmudgeon. You’re a stubborn yet immensely practical know-it-all. You sleep like a rock on the firmest mattress between crisp, clean, ironed, white, 5-star-hotel sheets. Maybe you should consider learning some new relaxation techniques and get a massage every now and then.
- Omelette – I recently watched the late Julia Child make omelettes on tv and it was hilarious. She jokingly said she’d give the one with the liver to her mother-in-law. With all of the egg flips, the omelette station that she set up was a circus act and that’s why I think the omelette lovers are the comedy geniuses of this group. Underneath that sophisticated and harmless poker face, you have a keen sense of humour and are full of surprises. And you like to watch the late night talk shows to put yourself in a funny state of mind before hitting the hay.
- Soufflee – When you show up, people are very happy to see you and when you go to the spa, for eggsample, you get the deluxe, Hollywood celebrity treatment. But you’re also what they call “high-maintenance” and are an eggstremely light sleeper. People have to tippy-toe around you day and night. Any uneggspected noise will wake you up and your sleep will be wrecked till morning. Just remember, if you lighten up, the rest is easy.
- Scrambled – By morning, the sheets and blankets on your bed are disheveled and twisted from all of your kicking and flailing and tossing and turning throughout the night. Your chaotic sleep leads me to think there’s too much stress and drama in your life and you need to go on a vacation to a spa on some tropical island soon. Like now.
- Over-Easy — You start on your back and flip over right before you wake up. You have an easy-going attitude and have more patience than the average bear. You like to sleep in on the weekends and learned the word “snooze button” at an early age. “Just 10 more minutes” is your mantra.
- Free-Range Organic – No pajamas for you. You’re footloose and fancy free. On any given night, you don’t stay on your side of your king-sized bed. You like to travel across the landscape of the bed and maybe even down the hall. A naked sleepwalker? Oh dear :>
- Benedict — I always think of Benedict Arnold, the infamous American traitor, when I see Eggs Benny on the menu. Now I get the connection. You’re a clever pillow and blanket hog and you hide under the cloak of the Hollandaise sauce.
- Quiche – You speak with an accent (maybe a fake one?). You’re pretentious and flaky at the same time, like an actor. You enjoy the finer things in life but are on a limited budget. If that’s the case, home spas are a good way to go.
- Devilled – A party favourite, you get snatched up pretty quick. Whoever heard of left-over devilled eggs? Even if they’re bad they’re good. You have a twinkle in your eye and a prankster nature. You were the one who short-sheeted the beds at summer camp. Your A.D.D. makes it difficult for you to fall asleep for long so you may be prone to taking sleeping pills as a quick fix solution. Try breathing exercises instead. Yeah right.
I hatched this list out of my own imagination so there’s no statistical validity at all. I’m curious if I’ve ruffled any feathers or if I’m on to something here. Have I cracked the case wide open or am I just full of B.S? Let me know what you think.
Posted by Maria on January 11, 2010 under Homespunspa, Pop-Psychology, Sleep, Stress Management and Relaxation, TV Shows, Uncategorized, Yoga |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Last week, I caught a few minutes of the Dr. Oz show and he was talking about insomnia, one of my favourite topics. As you may already know, Homespunspa is all about sharing information on how to relax, take care of yourself and get a good night’s sleep and I thought I’d tuck in a tip I learned from the Doc into my blog today.
The segment on the show covered many aspects of insomnia including the definition, possible causes and consequences of sleep deprivation. If you are interested, go to Dr. Oz’s website and get the rundown on the discussion here: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/secrets-behind-your-insomnia.
One tip I learned and have tried in the last couple of nights myself with some success (which isn’t specifically mentioned in the above article) involves counting backwards from 300. The guest Doctor, whose name I didn’t record unfortunately, who said he uses this technique himself, put a new spin on the old counting sheep advice. He said to count backwards from 300 in three’s. Picture three sheep walking away from the herd at a time.
He said a lot of people who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep often say they just can’t turn their mind off. They feverishly and anxiously replay the problems and events of the day, and can’t seem to turn off the switch. Counting backwards in three’s acts as a distraction and takes your focus off of your unsettling thoughts but keeps your mind busy.
These are the numbers you should hit along your countdown but if you make a mistake, who cares. I ended up at negative one the first time I tried.
Countdown from 300 to zero in three's.
Counting down is relaxing. (Counting up, on the other hand, is energizing). Have your ever wondered why anesthesiologists ask you to count backwards from 100 when you are about to go under for surgery? It’s common practice because it lets them know if the anesthetics are starting to work and because it helps you relax and get into deeper, more restful brain waves.
On occasion in my yoga class, the instructor had us count each full breath backwards from 25 (for example, 25, breathe in and out, 24, breathe in and out etc., etc.,) and if we lost our place, we were supposed to start from 25 again till we got all the way to zero. You’d be astonished to hear how often that happens. He also joked that if we fell asleep during this meditative breathing exercise, that was a good thing because we probably really needed the rest. I’ve heard snoring more than once!
So next time you find yourself tossing and turning in bed with no relief in sight and the clock is ticking toward sunrise, try counting backwards and let me know the next day how it goes. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
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.
