The sea has a primitive call. The oceans’ herbs are full of nutrients good for skin, hair and internal organs.  Sea plants contain vital elements, like potassium, beta carotene and iodine in concentrations many times greater than those found in land-grown plants.

“Thalassa” is the Greek word for sea.  French [...]]]> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0HW112LTG0

The sea has a primitive call. The oceans’ herbs are full of nutrients good for skin, hair and internal organs.  Sea plants contain vital elements, like potassium, beta carotene and iodine in concentrations many times greater than those found in land-grown plants.

“Thalassa” is the Greek word for sea.  French 19th century physician, Dr. Stephan Bonnardiere, coined the term thalasso therapy, advising his patients to get plenty of exposure to sea air and salt water to maintain good health, or to take an ocean voyage to cure illness.

Modern scientists speculate that visiting the seaside can be healthful because the churning water releases positive ions which are beneficial to the body’s metabolic processes.  Our skin resembles the protective outer layers of plants in structure and function; and elements found in salt water and marine plants are similar to the chemical makeup of human plasma.

Sea water is used to treat the aches and pains of skeleto-muscular conditions like arthritis.  It also promotes healing of certain wounds and rashes.  Aquatic exercise in heated Sea Water allows for movement and flexibility not available on land, the increase in hydrostatic pressure against the body increases circulation stimulates the kidneys and promotes digestion.

Thalasso therapy became fashionable, quite simply, because it works.  Through the nineteenth century, the coasts of the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea were lined with spas offering all kinds of treatments based on sea water and marine vegetation. For a long time the European health care system has covered expenses related to physical therapy in Thalasso therapy centers.

Spas use Thalasso therapy for everything from improving the complexion to reducing cellulite, incorporating salt water and seaweed, kelp and other marine herbs into baths, jet sprays, body wraps. Scientific research has demonstrated that people who do Thalasso treatment consume less in medical care in the six month following their treatment.

Beach walking at the edge of the sea promotes the inhalation of the minerals, which are then absorbed by the capillaries directly into the blood stream. Years before antibiotics, people with respiratory disease were sent to the sea to heal. It is believed on stormy days when the sea is turbulent the air is actually bacterio-static. The simplest way to enjoy a little Thalasso therapy this summer is go to the beach and swim in the ocean. Or, better yet, indulge in this wonderful Thalasso therapy treatment using seaweed found at the beach. If you can’t get to the beach, see my SHOP section for seaweed treatments you can do at home.

Caribbean Seaweed Bath (Watch on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0HW112LTG0 )

You can create a mini ocean at home with dehydrated seaweed (often called powdered kelp), available in the Japanese section of many health-food stores or on my SHOP page. If you are lucky enough to have a beach nearby, gather different kinds of seaweed from the ocean, rinse thoroughly, and add to your bath. After soaking, rinse off any residue from your body and discard seaweed. Or try this recipe below.

¼ cup sea salt

¼ cup dried seaweed (available online or at any health-food store)

¼ cup Epsom salts

¼ cup baking soda

This is a very simple treatment to make. Combine the ingredients and
pour into a clean, dry container or pretty glass jar. Pour ¼ cup of the mixture
into the tub as the water is running and have a long soak.

with love,

Dawn

Ancient Egyptians used clay masks and herbal masks as far back as 30 B.C., and masks are still very popular at facial salons. Clays are completely natural, and draw out toxins from deep within the skin. The use of medicinal clays, in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt has been well established. Cleopatra herself is [...]]]>

Ancient Egyptians used clay masks and herbal masks as far back as 30 B.C., and masks are still very popular at facial salons. Clays are completely natural, and draw out toxins from deep within the skin. The use of medicinal clays, in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt has been well established. Cleopatra herself is reported to have used clay cosmetics to preserve her legendary beauty. Reward your skin! Indulge in the benefits of clay today. Clays are also used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and have shown to absorb toxins, bacteria and even viruses. Buy Fuller’s earth or any unbleached clay substance, such as kaolin, from your health food store or pharmacy. You can also purchase it online on my SHOP page. Here is a tutorial on applying a clay face mask.

Egyptian Clay Mask  (for oily skin)

–Fuller’s Earth–1 part clay to two parts water

–1 to 2 ripe tomatoes (or papayas, egg whites or lemons)

Combine clay mixture with water or pulp of a ripe tomato, creating a smooth paste.

Rub lightly into the skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for about 10 to 15 minutes or until dry. Wash off with warm, tepid water and then a cold splash.

NOTE: If your skin is oily only in certain areas,you can always just dot the
areas that are blemished or oily.

Egyptian Clay Mask (for dry skin)

Fuller’s earth is a term that originated by fullers in cloth mills who used the clay to remove grease from fabrics before going into the market.

Replace the tomato in the previous recipe with avocado, olive oil or honey. Mix together in a ceramic bowl and apply to skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes then rinse off.

NOTE:  Since clay can be drying,  just dot the forehead, nose and chin if you
like.

–Fuller’s Earth—1 part clay to two parts water

–1 tsp of avocado or vegetable oil

Rub lightly into the skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for about 10 to 15 minutes or until dry. Wash off with warm, tepid water and then a cold splash.

with love,

Dawn

A new year has begun so why not glowing, gorgeous skin on your to-do list?

At certain times, we suffer from a complexion that is dull, lifeless. This often occurs because the face is covered by a thin layer of built-up dirt, oils and dead skin cells. Exfoliants [...]]]> Face Cleansers— and Scrubs

A new year has begun so why not glowing, gorgeous skin on your to-do list?

At certain times, we suffer from a complexion that is dull, lifeless. This often occurs because the face is covered by a thin layer of built-up dirt, oils and dead skin cells. Exfoliants have become wildly popular in the last few years. You can find them in everything from lip balms to bikini wax preparations. The irony is that people have known about the beneficial properties of exfolients for centuries. These substances help the complexion to renew itself by sloughing off dead skin cells at a faster-than-normal rate. Oatmeal, Bran, Cornmeal and Almond meal, or Wheateena brand cereal are great cleansers for the skin that have exfoliating action. They are gentle, inexpensive, quick and easy to use. Keep a small lidded jar of any of these in your bathroom. Just mix with a little water or witch hazel. All the recipes below are mild; however, it’s best to test their effects on your complexion in a small area before use.  People with very sensitive skin or extremely dry skin may want to avoid scrubs.

Healing Honey Cleanser:

This is a good treatment for blemishes. Honey is a great facial cleanser as well as a nourisher and healer.
It is also a natural humectant, or skin softener. Columbian women use honey as
a mask. Honey has been used for centuries by beauty conscious women as a
natural cosmetic. Wheatgerm is antiseptic and toning.

–4 to 5 Tblsp of honey

–1
tsp of wheat germ if your face is blemished

Moisten the face with a little warm water. Dab this on lightly with fingers or apply
directly to blemishes with a Q-Tip. Leave on face for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse
off with warm water.

Yogi Yogurt Cleanser:

This is a simply wonderful cleanser for people with oily or normal skin. Yogurt is loaded with protein, calcium and vitamins and is a very soothing cleanser.

–1-3
Tblsp of Yogurt

–a
pinch of salt

Slather it on. Then splash off with tepid water.

Bombay Cleanser:

While traveling through certain parts of India I noticed that a form of cornmeal was used by the women as a replacement to soap to scrub and wash the face. Oatmeal is nourishing to the skin and is used
in many parts of the world as a beauty aid.

–1-2
Tblsp of Oatmeal (or Colloidal oatmeal)

–1-2
teaspoons of witch hazel

–a
few drops of water

Dampen the oatmeal then, add the witch hazel and a few drops of water to make it moist. Apply to face with a upward and outward circular motion. Splash with lots of warm water removing all surface dirt. This recipe can be adapted for all skin types; if your skin is extra dry, add a little vegetable oil. Please “LIKE” us on facebook for more great tips and see SHOP for resources.

with love,

Dawn

Socrates Greek,
Fifth century BC

It’s easy to forget the above quote of Socrates in today’s appearance-obsessed, media-driven world. Television, films and magazines present the public with a seemingly endless parade of perfect-looking and air-brushed people [...]]]> Give me beauty in the inward
soul; may the outward and the inward be at
one

Socrates Greek,
Fifth century BC

It’s easy to forget the above quote of Socrates in today’s appearance-obsessed, media-driven world. Television, films and magazines present the public with a seemingly endless parade of perfect-looking and air-brushed people http://vimeo.com/34813864. Such images are insidious in their ability to establish an unreal standard of beauty as the norm, undermining the self-confidence of (the vast majority of) people, who feel they fail to live up to that unrealistic standard. Women and men lose control of their lives when they allow the media dictate what and who is beautiful.

The treatments offered here do not promise perfection.  In fact, one of my main aims with this blog is to delineate the difference between wanting to look great and the desperate desire to look perfect. The idea of
perfect beauty changes from year to year, season to season, in the current throw-away society.

The ideal of beauty has always been evanescent, shifting from era to era. From the mystical cosmetology
of the ancient Egyptians, to the extravagant makeup and creams of the noblewomen and courtesans of classical Greece, from the simple beauty regimens of prehistoric hunting societies to the elaborate ornamentation of the women of the Chinese imperial court, the notion of beauty has varied tremendously from
time to time and place to place.

Many cultures around the world have different attitudes about beauty. In Sumatra, filed teeth into sharp
points is a sign of beauty. In certain parts of Africa, it is a person’s character that makes her beautiful. The Chinese consider a woman with a round face very beautiful and among some Native American Indian tribes a flattened forehead is a sign of great beauty.

Today, women and men want a more realistic approach. We will no longer accept the canard that at a
certain age, we are in our prime; and after that, she can say goodbye to beauty.We can be in our prime at any age, at every age. We know better than to slavishly follow the fashion world’s dictates. We are dictating to the fashion world what we want and need.  There is beauty in intelligence and power, and in the maturity from which they’re derived.

Here is a great treatment to try at home. Many famous spas around the world use this in their facials.

This facial treatment soothes the skin and reduces any redness and blotchiness.  The honey and cider vinegar helps to restore the skin’s natural acid balance, while yeast is rich in vitamin B, which helps
to prevent flaky and eczema-type dryness.

1 tbsp of brewer’s yeast

1 tbsp of wheat germ oil

1 tsp of honey

1 egg yolk

½ tsp of cider vinegar

Put the brewer’s yeast, oil, and honey into a bowl and beat in the egg yolk. Gradually beat in the yogurt
and then the cider vinegar.  It should have a thick, creamy texture that will not run when applied to the face.  Spread the mixture over your face, then lie down and relax in a warm, comfortable room for 30 minutes.  Rinse off with warm water, then splash your face and neck with cold water and pat dry. Please check out my SHOP page for resources and my book for more great treatments. It makes a great holiday gift .

Happy Holidays!

with love,

Dawn

Josephine de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s wife created a scandal with her extravagant beauty regimes . Brought up in Martinique in the West Indies, Josephine brought many New World beauty secrets with her to the Emperor’s court in Paris. Here is a sample of a facial she would have prepared. Please see SHOP for recipe [...]]]>

Josephine de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s wife created a scandal with her extravagant beauty regimes . Brought up in Martinique in the West Indies, Josephine brought many New World beauty secrets with her to the Emperor’s court in Paris. Here is a sample of a facial she would have prepared. Please see SHOP for recipe resource.

How to give yourself a fabulous facial:

1. Set the stage with soft music and aromatherapy candle.

2. Cleanse your face thoroughly before you begin. Make sure all make-up is removed.

3. Steam your face to eliminate toxins. (if your skin is sensitive, or you have broken capillaries,
use a warm compress instead).

4. Apply face mask to deep clean the skin (use any of the recipes below, depending on skin type).

5. Sit back and relax with a good book or soft music for 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Rinse your face thoroughly with tepid water.

7. Tone the face with a herbal toner, Evian mist, or herbal astringent.

8. Moisturize. Massage the face with a cream, light oil or lotion. Make sure you also moisturize the neck.

Josephine de Beauharnais Mask:

This wonderful combination of oils will do wonders for your skin, especially if it needs to be
revitalized. The combination of oils will sink into your skin and leave it soft and moist. The healing oils of vitamin A, E and Primrose oil will give your skin the nutrients it needs.

–2tblsp of avocado oil

–2 tblsp of almond oil

–2 tblsp of olive oil

–2 tblsp of sesame oil

–2 to 5 capsules of Vitamin
E oil (400 I.U.)

–2 capsules of vitamin A
(50,000 I.U.)

–2 to 5 capsules of
evening primrose oil

–2 to 3 drops of
lavender, ylang ylang, or geranium essential oil

Pour all the oils into an empty dark bottle or small jar. Prick the capsules with a pin or cut them with
scissors, and empty into the bottle with the base oils. Add a few drops of the essential oil, and shake well. Take a quarter-sized dab in your hand, and massage gently into the face, neck and hands. The moisturizer can occasionally
be left on overnight, but don’t overdo–skin needs to breathe freely while you sleep. All these oils are stable so you can double the recipe if you like, and save the extra in the refrigerator. Shake well before using and label the
bottle.

Quickie Moisturizers : These simple recipes are perfect for the gal on the go who wants to get gorgeous.

–combine Glycerin and
rose water to moisturize your skin

–almond oil mixed with
honey and peach juice is very moisturizing to skin

–prick a capsule of
vitamin E and smear all over your face

–olive oil, almond oil, and avocado are wonderful penetrating oils for the skin. Add a few drops of lavender
or ylang ylang. Please see SHOP for essential oil purchase and resource.

with love,

Dawn

Our psychological well-being is highly related to the well-being of our immune system, so
stressful situations, like divorce, job loss, loneliness, financial instability, or a death in the family can lead to sickness and health problems. Similar to the effect of psychotherapy, keeping a personal journal or diary can greatly [...]]]> Journaling:

Our psychological well-being is highly related to the well-being of our immune system, so
stressful situations, like divorce, job loss, loneliness, financial instability, or a death in the family can lead to sickness and health problems. Similar to the effect of psychotherapy, keeping a personal journal or diary can greatly impact the immune system in a positive way and help the body ward off illness and disease. It has been proven that simply writing about important experiences for as little as 15 minutes a day can reduce anxiety and stress. By expressing yourself through writing, you can experience immediate life improvements.

In fact, the very act of writing, drawing or making a vision board is taking your thoughts and crystallizing them. This is why journaling is a powerful tool to help you apply the power of your mind in your life. By seeing the words on paper, they become more concrete to you and your mind. Just be sure to be specific in your journaling and visualization, so that nothing is left to chance.

All you need to start journaling is a blank journal or spiral notebook. I like mine with a leather binder since it lasts longer. Then set aside time each morning (or any time of the day for that matter) and start dreaming. Write down whatever comes to mind in your journal. It doesn’t matter what it is. Try writing about things that you would like to do and have, or things that would be fun to create and enjoy. Or jot down places you would like to go such as the spas in this book, and experiences you dream about having. This will begin to move your energy and start getting you in touch with your passions. It will also help you realize possibilities by exposing your mind to its subconscious thoughts. Another direction is to journal about problems and then find solutions through your writing.

Here’s a fun technique to try. Once you have identified what you want and committed to achieving it by a certain date, write out a detailed plan about how you will achieve your goal. But here’s the twist: imagine that you have already achieved the goal; then work backward from that point in time. Ask yourself step-by-step how you got there, until you get back to where you are now.

An excellent book I highly recommend is The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, a great place to start journaling. Cameron’s technique urges you to write “morning pages,” basically three pages of longhand stream-of consciousness, written first thing in the morning. I’ve practiced this technique for many years and it has helped me to overcome obstacles keeping me from being my most creative self. Not only does it force you to create something every single day, but it gets you past all the self-defeating ideas about why you think you aren’t a creative person. Morning pages are a form of meditation that will help you rediscover your creativity. Check out my book Nature’s Beauty Secrets on Amazon for great Spiritual Beauty tips under the SHOP header on my blog.  It will make a great Holiday gift.

Remeber: Keeping a personal journal or diary is proven to be highly
beneficial for our health and is recommended by therapists!

with love,

Dawn