Posted by Maria on May 13, 2010 under Ayurveda & Elemental Nature, Esthetics School, Ingredients, Skin Care, Uncategorized, Wellness | 
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
My business, Homespunspa, is all about recipes for sleep and beauty. I believe taking care of your skin and hair is essential for health and wellness. Since I’ve started my esthetics training at the Aveda Institute, I’ve learned a thing or two about skin care and I’d like to pass the information on to my blog readers. So, if there’s anyone out there who’d like some guidance on skin, hair and body products from Aveda, please email me and tell me your skin and hair concerns, your age, line of work, diet, a photo and anything else you think might be relevant, and I’ll write my recommendations highlighting which Aveda products will be most beneficial to you.
So far, I’ve already received two letters from my readers. Maybe you can relate.
Dear Maria,
My name is Florence and I came across your blog as I was looking for some home spa recipes. I see you’re a student at the Aveda Institute and I was wondering if you could give me some advice on my skin care and hair care.
I’m 19 and I think I have pretty normal skin. I may get the odd breakout every now and then but I’m more concerned that my skin looks dull and can be dry in spots.
I work as a waitress at Mel’s Diner, a busy restaurant on the highway that has a smoking section for all of the truckers. After my shift, I get to eat anything on the menu – usually, it’s a cheeseburger and fries and a Pepsi. Then I come home and take a hot, hot shower. On my days off, I like to suntan on my deck – I like the heat – that’s why I live in the South. I know though, that I might get wrinkles if I keep this up.
I’m attaching a picture of me with my red hair in a pony tail for you. When my hair is down, it’s long and thick and very straight. I’ve noticed my hair has been breaking a lot since I started this job.
Anyway, I hope that’s enough info for you. Thanks in advance, Florence from Phoenix.
Dear Florence,
Thanks for your interest in my blog. I’d be happy to offer you some advice on your skin care, hair care and body care.
Elemental Nature
Because you said you work in a busy restaurant and that you have normal to dry skin, I suspect your Elemental Nature is mostly Infinity/Air which means you should focus on calming yourself when things get crazy and out of balance. (For more details on Infinity and Air Natures, please see my blog post, What is your Elemental Nature? dated May 3, 2010).
Hair Care
Because you said your hair is red, long, thick and very straight and you like to wear it in a pony tail which has been causing some breakage and damage, I recommend Aveda’s Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo and Conditioner because they help repair all types of dry and damaged hair. The shampoo contains babassu and coconut which are kind to damaged hair. And they both have quinoa protein which helps strengthen and repair hair from the inside out. Just shampoo and rinse and condition and rinse.
In terms of hair styling, try the Brilliant Damage Control. It protects from thermal and Ultra Violet damage and reduces breakage. It’s also good for all hair types. Just spray onto towel-dried hair.
I also think the Sun Care After-Sun Hair Masque which moisturizes and revives sun-exposed hair would be a good choice for you. Once a week or so, apply the treatment evenly to damp hair, leave on for two to five minutes and rinse. The formula contains:
- morikueTM protein which helps restore weakened hair;
- tamanu oil, certified organic shea butter, coconut and palm oils which moisturize hair;
- an anti-oxidizing blend of green tea extract, certified organic sunflower seed oil and vitamin E which help protect against free radicals; and
- the neroli and ylang ylang impart a tropical aroma!
Also, while you’re sun tanning, I strongly recommend using the Sun Care Protective Hair Veil which protects hair from sun exposure for up to 16 hours. It minimizes damage and dryness and is good for all hair types. Just spray it on dry or damp hair before going out into the sun and also throughout the day.
Body Care
Try using the Sun Care and Body Cleanser. As you can see, it doubles as a shampoo and a body wash.
To moisturize your body, I recommend the Replenishing Body Moisturizer – an Aveda Best Seller. It restores suppleness to dry skin with a hydrating blend of vitamins, natural humectants and oils—including meadowfoam. I also strongly urge you to not use such hot water in the shower from now on. Your skin and hair will thank you for years to come on that tip alone.
Skin Care
As for your skin care, because you said you have normal skin with few breakouts but your skin appears dull and has dry spots and you like to suntan, I recommend, the entire Tourmaline Charged product family, especially since the Tourmaline Charged line has the distinction of having moisturizing sunscreen with SPF 15. Next time you go sun tanning, apply the Tourmaline Charged Protecting Lotion SPF 15 to your body since it’s an oil-free moisturizer which hydrates and protects skin from sun and environmental damage. Just place a small amount on fingertips and apply over your face and neck.
Tourmaline is a mineral that boosts skin’s radiance. For a cleanser, I recommend the Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser with exfoliating jojoba beads because exfoliating regularly helps increase cell turn over which will reveal radiant and conditioned skin. This should help with your dry spots.
For a toner, I recommend the Botanical Kinetics Skin Firming/Toning Agent with soothing echinacea and rosewater. It helps balance and hydrate normal to dry skin. Just spray it on 10 to 12 inches from your face in the mornings.
In the evenings, for the exfoliating step (instead of the toning step), I suggest using Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant. This non-abrasive liquid dissolves dead cells on the surface of your skin, to reveal a smoother, complexion beneath. To use, wipe a small amount across your face and neck with a cotton ball. Do not rinse.
For a treatment, try the Tourmaline Charged Radiance Fluid because it smoothes away dullness and reveals a fresher, more radiant complexion. It contains yeast extract which boosts skin renewal and clary sage which encourages natural cellular turnover. Simply spray a few drops on your fingertips and apply a thin layer over your face and neck in the mornings and evenings.
For your eyes, I advise using the Tourmaline Charged Eye Crème which minimizes the appearance of dark circles and infuses the eye area with radiance and moisture. Using a small amount of the eye crème, gently pat a small amount around the eyes with your ring fingers each morning and evening. You’ll definitely enjoy the aroma of the lime and organic petitgrain essential oils.
For a moisturizer, I recommend the Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Crème. Like the name says, it hydrates. It also adds radiance to normal and dry skin types. It will also serve as a protective barrier while you’re working in the smoking section at Mel’s Diner. Place a small amount on your fingertips and apply over your face and neck, in the am and pm.
And for a masque, the Tourmaline Charged Radiance Masque will work well for you since it sheds dull, dead surface cells and leaves the skin smooth and radiant. The masque’s ingredients include shiitake extract, avocado oil, muru butter and lycopene, from tomatoes. The formula is also aroma-neutral so it can be customized with your favorite Balancing Infusion. Apply to your cleansed face and neck, leave on for 7 to 8 minutes and then rinse. Use as needed.
And finally to top it all off, I recommend Aveda’s Lip Saver SPF 15. This handy lip balm delivers lasting moisture relief to dry lips and I like the taste of the refreshing cinnamon leaf, clove and anise oils.
You can buy any of these products online at http://www.aveda.com/ or at your local Aveda salon.
Also, here is some bonus information for your Infinity/Air Elemental Nature:
Foods to Favour in your diet include:
- Sweet: breads, pasta, meat, fish, milk, cream
- Sour: citrus, cheese, yogurt
- Salty: sea salt, tamari, seaweeds, pickled foods
Hey, what do ya know, cheeseburgers suit your Elemental Nature!
Foods to Reduce in the diet include:
- Pungent: peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, curries, spices
- Bitter: kale, spinach, broccoli, coffee, chocolate
- Astringent: beans, legumes, tea, cabbage, cauliflower
When you’re feeling nervous, anxious, or manic, try an aerobics class or a hot bath or a calming meditation.
I hope this helps. Please let me know once you start seeing and feeling an improvement.
Dear Maria:
My name is Roberto and my co-worker at the fish plant suggested I contact you. I want to find out what Aveda products would best work on my skin and hair. I’m 25 and I’d say I have combination skin because my nose and forehead are kind of oily but my cheeks are dry and the skin flakes a bit – especially in the winter months. I’m also starting to notice faint fine lines around my eyes and my ex-girlfriend once told me I have a “thick” skin texture, whatever that means. Here is an old picture (same ex-girlfriend is throwing laundry on me) but my dark brown hair is a lot longer these days, more shoulder length. I wish it was curlier. I shower several times a day in warm water and I use soap on my skin but I only wash my hair every 3 days. I eat mostly California rolls and a lot of fresh fish and rice. I hope you can point me in the right direction. Thanks, Roberto.
Dear Roberto,
Thanks for writing. I’d be happy to offer you some advice on your skin care, hair care and body care.
Elemental Nature
Because you said you have combination skin as well as a thick skin texture, I suspect your Elemental Nature is mostly Water/Earth which means you should work on bumping up your activity level and boosting your energy when you’re feeling out of balance. To learn more about your Water and Earth natures, please see my blog post, What is your Elemental Nature? dated May 3, 2010.
Hair Care
Because you said your hair is dark brown and curly, but not curly enough, I recommend Aveda’s Be Curly Shampoo and Conditioner. With ingredients like wheat protein and organic aloe, your curls will be more defined than ever. Just shampoo and rinse and condition and rinse.
Body Care
As for body care, since you’re already showering with soap, why not try using the Aveda Men Soap. It’s an all-in-one shower bar with a deodorizing and energizing aroma. This “soap-free” soap can be used on the face, body and hair and it’s perfect after a workout if you have a gym membership and don’t want to carry a lot of products around with you. And it’s ideal for all types of skin and hair, including combination skin, like yours. Unfortunately, this product is no longer available online, but you can still find it at your local Aveda salon.
Afterwards, I recommend applying the Rosemary Mint Body Lotion. Made with organic rosemary and peppermint, it invigorates the senses — which is a great benefit for Water/Earths.
Skin Care
As for your skin care, you mentioned you have combination skin — or oily skin on the T-zone and dry skin on your cheeks, especially in winter. As the winter season has passed, I’m going to address your oily to normal skin first.
For a cleanser, I recommend the Botanical Kinetics Purifying Gel Cleanser which was designed for normal to oily skin and is enriched with camomile, lavender and anti-oxidant vitamin E. To use, place a small amount of gel on your fingertips and apply evenly over your damp face and neck, morning and night.
For a toner, I recommend the cooling and refreshing Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist for normal to oily skin. This spray on mist helps hydrate and balance your skin while minimizing surface oil build-up and the white oak, witch hazel and peppermint provide mild astringent benefits. Spray 10 to 12 inches from your face in the mornings.
In the evenings, for the exfoliating step, I suggest using Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant. This non-abrasive liquid dissolves dead cells on the surface of your skin and reveals a smoother, complexion beneath and it’s good for all skin types, including both dry and oily or combination. Using a cotton ball, apply a small amount across your face and neck. Do not rinse.
For a treatment, I really like the Green Science Line Minimizer. It helps boost natural collagen production and minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Apply directly to lines and wrinkles on your face and neck and gently press or massage into your skin in the evenings before bed.
For your eyes, I recommend the Green Science Firming Eye Crème. With organic argan oil and cactus, it helps to moisturize skin and smooth fine lines and works really well with the Green Science Line Minimizer. To apply, gently smooth under and around your eyes using your ring fingers in the am and pm. It’s safe for use on the eyelids.
For a moisturizer, choose the mineral-rich Tourmaline Charged Protecting Lotion with SPF 15. It’s an oil-free moisturizer which hydrates and protects oily skin from the sun and environment. On the other hand, if it’s winter and you’d like to concentrate on your dry skin, use the Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Crème. For each moisturizer, place a small amount on your fingertips and apply over your face and neck in the mornings and evenings.
And for a masque, I recommend the Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque which will absorb excess oil and impurities and will clarify and condition your skin. Apply to your face and neck as needed, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove with a shammy and warm water. Apply a thin layer for oily skin and a thicker layer for dry skin areas.
You can buy these products online at http://www.aveda.com/ or at your local Aveda salon.
Also, here’s some bonus information for your Water/Earth Elemental Nature:
Foods to Favour in the diet:
- Pungent: peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, curries, spices
- Bitter: kale, spinach, broccoli, coffee, chocolate
- Astringent: beans, legumes, tea, cabbage, cauliflower
Foods to Reduce in the diet:
- Sweet: breads, pasta, meat, fish, milk, cream
- Sour: citrus, cheese, yogurt
- Salty: sea salt, tamari, seaweeds, pickled foods
Unfortunately, your love of rice and fish is not ideal for your Elemental Nature. Instead of eating sushi, daily, I’d reserve it for once or twice a week and would opt for food that would give you more energy.
When you’re feeling lethargic, depressed or low in energy, try playing a team sport like soccer that will help get your heart rate up and will get you into a community environment.
I hope this helps. Please let me know about your progress. – Maria
And P.S. — I think your new girlfriend will be super impressed!
Posted by Maria on April 12, 2010 under Esthetics School, Green Living, Ingredients, Uncategorized, Wellness |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
One week down, 28 to go and if this first week was any indication of the pace, my esthetics training is going to fly by.
I’m so excited to be at the Aveda Institute. I feel like this school is a great fit for my values and my personality because it goes far beyond superficial beauty and promotes green living and wellness.
This whole experience is reminding me of the time in my life when I was 10 years old when my family was living in Hawaii. Looking back on my life, I think this is where my interest in esthetics started, but it took me 30 years to connect the dots and notice the influence.
One of my classmates, Cari, started modeling with an agency called Barbazon and she invited three 20-something models to come to our school to talk about modeling as a career choice. I remember they used the word “blemish” a lot and someone finally raised their hand and asked, “What’s a blemish?” “A pimple,” they replied. “A pimple.” Oh.
From that talk, I really wanted to get into modeling too but that was a bit of a long-shot because there was nothing about me that said, “modelesque.” To put it mildly, I was quite a heavy, plain and shy girl.
But in my mother’s wisdom, she encouraged me anyway and found a class and signed me up. Every Saturday morning, I went to the Ala Moana Shopping Centre and learned how to walk runway style, how to stand with a smile as if in a beauty pageant, how to do my nails, style my hair and apply makeup etc, etc. My teacher’s name was Sonia C. Lugmao and I can still picture her sunny smile in my mind to this day. Our class also went to lunch to fancy restaurants in Honolulu and that’s where I was introduced to a classic French Onion Soup and yummy chocolate moose. It was a lovely class.
It also occurred to me this week that there are a couple of other similarities between my life as a 10 year old and my life as a 40 year old. I lived on an island in the Pacific then and I live on an island in the Pacific now. Also, after I graduated from my beauty class, I got into the habit of curling my hair every morning before school like Farah Fawcett. I coated the curls with a thick layer of hairspray on purpose so I could grab some hair at random and break the crispy glue over the course of the day. These days, I’m using a flat iron in the mornings to achieve a trendy look but I haven’t used hairspray in years. Also, in Hawaii, I went to a private Catholic school and we had to wear a uniform of a white shirt with the school’s crest and green striped skirt. At Aveda, we also have to wear only solid black and/or white clothes and eventually, once we get on the clinic floor, we’ll be getting an Aveda t-shirt and lab coat. Another uniform.
Everyone knows Hawaii is lush and beautiful beyond measure. We were blessed to have all kinds of plants growing near our house, like a generous lime tree (I didn’t appreciate my mother’s freshly-squeezed, no sugar added lime juice then but I sure would now), a leafy banana plant, and an orange Bougainvillea hedge near the pool. And juicy mangoes fell into our yard from the neighbour’s side. Everything was free for the plucking. Also in those days, taking care of the environment was not a concern for most of us but signs of pollution and a changing climate were starting to show up and be noticed. My first clue that something was out of whack was from the Plumeria tree. We had one on our property and the Hawaiians use the fragrant flower with loopy white petals for leis. Unfortunately, our tree was infested with tiny, gnat-like white flies that made the leaves and flowers sticky. Now, environmental stewardship and appreciation are part of my lifestyle.
It’s funny how our life paths unfold. As much as I’d like to write some more on this post, I have to get back to my studying — we have a quiz tomorrow.
Posted by Maria on March 27, 2010 under Aromatherapy, Face, Green Living, Home spa, Homespunspa, How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way book, Ingredients, Newspapers and Newsworthy, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Homespunspa is proudly committed to Earth Hour.
It’s Earth Hour tonight, on Saturday March 27th, 2010 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is asking everyone on the planet to turn their lights off for one whole hour to take a stand against climate change.
Are you looking for a green activity to do by candle light? How about having a home spa pajama party and giving yourself a clay and cocoa facial? I think this Homespunspa idea is the perfect way to mark Earth Hour because it’s green and relaxing all at the same time. And it’s no accident that I’m highlighting clay and cocoa in this recipe. To me, these ingredients are the home spa epitome of “earthiness” because clay is loaded with treasures like magnesium, calcium, iron, aluminum, sodium, potassium and silica and cocoa is the colour of dirt.
So invite some friends over for an Earth Hour home spa get together. Have them bring their favourite pajamas and sleeping bags. Get the candles and flashlights ready and mix the dry ingredients of this recipe together ahead of time. Goopy green faces are always good for a laugh or two and this might be the beginning of a great annual event for you and your sistas.
Cocoa & Clay Earth Hour Facial
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup green French Clay — is a key spa ingredient because it helps remove surface dirt and dead cells from skin and the experience of resting while topped in mud diffuses tension in a most pleasant way.
- 2 TB cocoa powder — chocolate lovers will be pleased to learn that a facial made with cocoa will not only reduce tension, it will also soften dry skin.
- 1 TB orrisroot powder — used to fix scents in herbal preparations and for mild fragrance.
- 1 TB dried calendula flower petals, powdered or chopped fine — use in facials for all skin types to clean pores, balance pH, heal capillaries, relax facial expression and destress.
- 12 drops carrot seed essential oil — is valued for its relaxing, restoring and nourishing properties. It refreshes and firms mature skin by detoxifying pores as well as by stimulating cell renewal and skin elasticity.
- 1 TB sweet almond oil — is a very popular ingredient in natural skincare because it has moisturizing, softening, soothing and skin conditioning properties.
- 1/4 cup water — extends recipe volume and provides a base to blend ingredients.
- 1 cucumber, cut into 2 round slices per person — known as a remedy for puffy eyes, but also has cleansing, moisturizing, softening, toning and pH-balancing properties.
Method:
- Combine green French clay, cocoa, orrisroot and calendula in a bowl and set aside until you’re ready to start your facial.
- A few minutes before Earth Hour starts (around 8:20 pm), dilute 12 drops of carrot seed essential oil in 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil in a small glass jar with a secure lid. (You can substitute ingredients and use your choice of essential oils and carrier oil). Shake to blend. Pour over clay and mix in.
- Start with a 1/4 cup of water and slowly add enough liquid to make a spreadable paste.
Manner:
- Lay a towel over a pillow where you plan to lie down. Light the candles.
- Remove make-up and rinse your face with water.
- Turn the lights off.
- Spread about a tablespoon of the wet paste onto your face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes. Smooth with your fingers.
- Lie back and place the cucumber on your eyes. Leave the clay on for 10 to 20 minutes. It will start to dry and harden but it doesn’t need to harden completely to be effective. Enjoy the nocturnal silence.
- Rinse off the crusty mask with plenty of cool-warm water and pat dry.
Storage: Store any leftover dry ingredients in a jar or bag. Will last indefinitely.
Enjoy your Earth Hour!
Posted by Maria on March 24, 2010 under Esthetics School, Fitness, Green Living, Home spa, Ingredients, Newspapers and Newsworthy, TV Shows, Uncategorized, Wellness |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
Did you know that in 1993, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 22 as the World Day for Water? I didn’t. I just found out from Dr. Phil that March 21st to 27th, 2010 is World Water Week and the funny thing is, I was already going to write about water on this post anyway. There must be something in the air.
Everyone knows that water is the universal spa ingredient. It works on the inside of your body as something you can drink and it works on the outside as something you can bathe or swim in.
But today I want to write about bottled water and how I don’t recommend it for your home spa or your home gym. I must admit though that I am guilty of buying bottled water on a regular basis. I buy it mostly for my Jazzercise classes because it’s a convenient way for me to hydrate myself while I’m exercising and I also like to have some on hand for my earthquake emergency kit.
But last year, one of my co-workers forwarded this PowerPoint presentation to all staff in my office and it really opened my eyes: water-disaster1. What a wake up call. From watching this slideshow, I was shocked to learn the financial, health and environmental costs associated with bottled water:
- Financial: Apparently, the average U.S. citizen spends over $400 a year on bottled water. As someone who is about to become a student again, I need to save money wherever I can.
- Health: Because of temperature changes (which can be extreme) during shipment from the warehouse to the store to you, toxic chemicals from the plastic bottles can leach into the water and therefore into your body once you drink it which can cause serious damage to your health.
- Environmental: Producing cases of bottled water and transporting them by the truck load and then disposing the empties all have a significant (and often unnecessary) impact on the environment.
What really got me was the part about keeping the bottles of water in your car. I’m not doing that anymore.
The case for tap water
What happened to good ol’ tap water? Somewhere along the line we stopped trusting it. But as someone who lives on the west coast of Canada surrounded by majestic mountains, flowing rivers, vibrant lakes and the Pacific Ocean, I am blessed to have lovely, wholesome water delivered straight to my home whenever I want at the twist of my tap. So why am I buying water from France? It’s ridiculous if you think about it and one more point for the 100 mile diet.
You’ll be happy to know that ever since I saw the above presentation on water bottles, I have started bringing a refillable metal container full of tap water to class.
Access to fresh, clean water is a big deal for our planet but we take it for granite 
(as it’s often pronounced). But I think the tide is turning and people are becoming more and more appreciative of this resource every day. Even AVEDA, my esthetics school, has a policy of not allowing bottled water in the classrooms.
If you want to learn more about World Water Day and related events and how you can contribute, check out the UNICEF Tap Project.
And from now on, I pledge to drink tap water instead of bottled water. Right here, right now, I’m going to take a page from Oprah’s handbook and start my own pledge drive.
Homespunspa’s No Bottled Water Pledge
I, ____________, when given the choice between tap water from a healthy source and bottled water, pledge to choose to drink tap water. And, if I happen to buy and drink a commercially-made bottle of water, I will return the bottle for recycling and will get the deposit back. Every lit bit helps. Cheers!
If you would like to sign this pledge with me, please fill in this form below. THANKS!
Posted by Maria on March 17, 2010 under Aromatherapy, Green Living, Hair, Home spa, Homespunspa, How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way book, Ingredients, Photo gallery, Pop-Psychology, Recipes, TV Shows, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
As it tis St. Patrick’s Day today, I thought it would be fun to talk about beer as a home spa ingredient.
Body on Tap Shampoo plus Irish Spring Soap equals Magically Delicious
Before you go out on the town tonight to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, why not get into the spirit with some home brewed spa treatments. If only they still sold Body on Tap Shampoo. It was made with real Budweiser beer! Personally, I’ve never actually used this particular brand because I was underage at the time. I remember the ads from a lot of the shampoos from the 1970’s that don’t exist anymore like, Breck (“and they told two friends and so on and so on…”) and Gee your Hair Smells Terrific and “Squeeze and go from flat to fluffy, squeeze, with Prell Concentrate.” Good times. Good times. Hey, another 1970’s throwback!
With ingredients like green tea and silk amino acids, shampoo has come a long way in 30 years, (how much do you pay for a bottle these days?) but the idea of putting real beer in shampoo isn’t complete flimflam. What may seem like marketing shenanigans to us in 2010 actually has some validity. Not only does beer bring out hair’s natural shine and highlights, it also adds body and volume too. And some people may consider beer’s unmistakable scent as aromatherapy at its finest. So, if you’d like to make your own beer shampoo, here is a recipe.
St. Patrick’s Day Beer Shampoo
Ingredients:
- 2 bottles of Guinness beer — adds shine, body, volume and fragrance to hair
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar — astringent vinegar restores the natural pH balance of skin and hair
- 2 TB honey — has moisturizing and antiseptic qualities
- 1/4 cup regular, as unscented as possible, shampoo (optional)
Method:
- Pour the beer from one bottle into a glass mug and take a swig.
- Pour the other beer, apple cider vinegar and honey into a saucepan and reduce over medium-high heat to a half cup in volume. Keep your eye on the pan and stir occasionally. Adjust the temperature if necessary. Within 20 minutes, the mixture should start looking like thick syrup.
- Once the liquid reaches the desired consistency, take the pan off the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- If you want, you can keep this recipe as it is (as a hair rinse) without adding extra soap. You can also combine the beer mixture with pre-made, unscented shampoo and pour the mixture into a recycled shampoo bottle. Make sure to label it so you don’t forget.
Manner:
- Massage the beer shampoo into wet hair. Lather, rinse and repeat. Follow with a conditioner.
- Tell two friends about this recipe
Storage:
- The alcohol, honey and shampoo base should act to preserve this recipe without refrigeration for at least a couple of weeks, but you’ll use it up by then, anyhow, right?
Cheers and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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 March 2, 2010 under Gift Ideas, Ingredients, Photo gallery, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
My mom recently returned from a trip to Dubai, the land of luxury and opulence. I asked her to bring me back some sand as a souvenir because I’m not likely to go there any time soon. Well, she came through with flying colours and brought back two different kinds of sand for me. One was a silky, fine, pale tan sand from the beach and the other was a lovely peppery bronze sand from the desert. (I wish I still had the Bermuda pink sand my late father brought home from one of his navy expeditions in the late 1970’s in my collection, but that stash is long, long gone).
The question is, now what do I do with this new sand? I wanted to put the sand in some sort of container, like a wine bottle, or picture frame or an acrylic box so I could display my exotic treasure. I also wanted the presentation to be somewhat artistic.
Sand is such an interesting subject to contemplate. Sand is timeless and is found on shorelines all over the world and the granules are infinitely unquantifiable. Comedian Steven Wright’s quote comes to mind, “I have the world’s largest seashell collection. You may have seen it, I keep it spread out on beaches all over the world.”
From a spa point of view, dry sand is like the antithesis of wet water, the primary foundation of all spas around the world. Any spa worth its salt is based on the healing powers of water in some way, either historically or geographically. Still, somehow, the powdery and gritty texture of sand belongs in the spa also. Sand and sea are neighbours and they meet each other half way. What’s a breaking wave without a sandy beach?
So, in the spirit of wanting to bring the beach feeling home, I went to Michael’s Crafts to see if I could find a vessel for my sand. After an hour of walking up and down the aisles, I decided I was going to look for something that could serve as a centerpiece on my dinner table for my next home spa party. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for and then I spotted the answer on the bottom shelf: A 5.9-inch/15-cm glass cylinder with an insert for a candle by a company called Ashland for #13.49 CAD. The vanilla pillar candle was only $3.49 so the whole craft project cost me less than $20. (Of course, that’s not counting the airfare to Dubai to get the sand, but I’m sure you can find some near your house or buy it in a store, if you’re landlocked, for a lot less .
Use this sand and candle centerpiece in your next home spa party.
Notice the contrasting red and tan sands in this home spa craft project.
All you have to do is get some sand and pour it into the big cylinder. If you want, you can get fancy and use different coloured sands and layer them in some sort of pattern. If you stick a toothpick and a removable piece of paper into the sand along the container, you can fill the tunnel with contrasting sand for finer details. The problem is, as I discovered, once you join the sands, it’s difficult, if not impossible to separate them again, so make sure you’re OK with whatever pattern emerges and don’t try to fix it afterward. You can also include rocks and seaweed and shells in your composition.
For added effect, you can float your candle in some water in the smaller insert. Unfortunately, that didn’t work for me this time because the candle kept on capsizing. (A different size and shape would have probably worked better).
Remember, you can also give this quick and easy centerpiece as a hostess gift or you can put it next to your bathtub the next time you take a bath. In my mind, the sand, the water and the candlelight are poetry. It’s like having a mini beach at home (complete with high noon sunshine) and it will definitely add to the ambiance and mystique of your home spa.
Let me know what you think of this home spa craft project. Do you have a favourite beach that you’d like to bring home? Please leave a comment.
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 27, 2010 under Aromatherapy, Esthetics School, Home spa, Homespunspa, How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way book, Ingredients, Uncategorized |
by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner
I have a big announcement to make. I believe we intuitively lead ourselves where we need to go and after careful soul-searching, I’ve decided to go back to school. Starting in April 2010, I’ll be a full-time student at the Aveda Institute here in Victoria in the Esthiology program. Now all I need to do is learn how to pronounce, “Esthiology” and I’ll be good to go.
I’m really excited about this and it has been a long time coming.
The History of Homespunspa
The concept of my business, Homespunspa, was sprung from a sleep-over in January 1999 — eleven years ago! I was house-sitting for friends of the family in Sidney, BC and the water-front property on the edge of Vancouver Island was the perfect setting for a slumber party and a spa weekend retreat.
There were only four of us at the first, unofficial homespun spa night pajama party in Sidney. I invited my friends Mandy, Nicole and Lehna and we had been planning the event for a couple of weeks — we even had our dinner menu type up. Everyone was in charge of bringing a few things — “I’ve got the mayonnaise,”…”I’ll bring the cucumber,”…”I have some funky nail polish colours.” Lehna printed off some recipes from the Internet (the original recipe book has some interesting stains on it) and that’s what we used to devise our treatments.
The girls showed up on Saturday around tea time with sleeping bags, beloved pajamas, bags of food and manicure sets. And it was a great success. We started off the evening by making and eating an elaborate dinner and then afterwards, we fanned into the kitchen and picked home spa recipes to try. How can you not enjoy having egg goop combed through your hair? We talked and laughed and painted our nails.
And once we were tucked into our sleeping bags on the living room floor, I’m pretty sure I fell asleep, thinking to myself, “there has to be a way of turning this into a business.” And the word, “Homespunspa,” just came to me.
In November 2000, I registered www.homespunspa.com and in 2001 I signed up for some self-employment and business training.
In 2004, 2005 and 2006 I taught home spa classes at Commonwealth Place, a local community centre.
In 2005 and 2006, I researched, wrote and self-published my book, “How to throw a home spa pajama party the Homespunspa way.” I plan on using my new knowledge from school to update the book and eventually turn that information into an e-book. I’m open to hear from publishers who would like to formally publish my work, so if you know of anyone, please introduce us.
In January 2009, I launched my Homespunspa Ewesletter blog and I have been posting more-or-less weekly ever since.
In January 2010, I enrolled in school. Now you’re up to date.
The Aveda Institute
Since I have been contributing to the spa industry in my own way for almost 10 years, I think it’s time I get proper certification. This way I can actually offer spa services like manicures, pedicures, facials, and massage to customers rather than just providing information.
Attending classes (1000 hours’ worth) will expand my knowledge tremendously. And this is not fluff. We’re going to be learning about Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry and Aromatherapy. And of course we’ll learn all kinds of techniques — hands on — like waxing (yikes ;>) tinting, exfoliation and make up application.
I plan on using these lessons as fodder for my blog and if you’re interested in hearing more about my studies, check back often. I’m sure I’ll have lots of fun stories to tell.
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.
