RASPBERRY LEMONADE

Friday, December 3, 2010

Photo by: iStockphoto.com

4 Tbs. honey
6 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
2 heaping teaspoons cocoa
1/2 c. sugar in the raw
1/2 c. granulated sugar
6-10 Tbs. water
6-10 drops peppermint essential oil

Mix the honey, olive oil, and cocoa in a small bowl until thoroughly blended. In a larger bowl blend the sugar in the raw and granulated sugar together. Add the cocoa mixture to the sugar and mix well. Add water to get desired consistency. Add peppermint oil to desired scent.

In a warm shower, apply a small amount of mixture to the body. Scrub gently in circular motions. Rinse. Lightly pat the skin dry and follow with your favorite skin moisturizer to enhance the benefits.

The recipe yields approximately 1 1/3 cups of scrub. Package the scrub in small tin, glass, or plastic containers with lids. You can place a clear label with instructions for use on the outside of the container. Use ribbon, an old-fashioned peppermint stick, or a sprig of fresh holly for embellishment.

Mindy Terry

With 17 years in the spa industry, Mindy Terry is the Founder and President of Creative Spa Concepts. Terry is also a licensed cosmetologist, aesthetician, yoga instructor, and certified infant massage instructor.

image-103-Vanilla-Ginger Milk Bath homepage

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Photo by: Veer Photography

While you raise your spirits, why not perk up your body with a long bath to wash away the stressors of the day? This Vanilla-Ginger Milk Bath is not only divine, it is also a great treatment for dry winter skin.

Vanilla-Ginger Milk Bath

2 tsp. vanilla
3 tsp. ginger (freshly grated or powdered)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup dry milk

Mix vanilla, ginger, cinnamon to honey and blend.

Add the honey mixture and dry milk to warm running bath water. Relax and enjoy.

Notes

This bath is best enjoyed fresh. Do not mix larger quantities and store for future use.
To enhance the skin-softening benefits, use a loofah or coarse washcloth. Working from the upper chest down, massage each part of the body in circular motions while in the bath.
If unpeeled, fresh ginger can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. In the freezer, ginger will keep for up to six months.
For tubs with jets, this bath foams nicely. If using freshly grated ginger, consider placing it in a muslin tea bag before putting it in the bath to prevent the ginger from clogging the jets.

Mindy Terry

Spa Recipe

Photo by: Sarah Karnasiewicz

The pumpkin included in this scrumptious face & body masque contains natural enzymes which exfoliate, soften and smooth the skin. The spices help to increase circulation and the honey provides added moisture. Enjoy!

1 small pumpkin
1 cup yogurt
Juice from 1 lemon
1 Tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. ginger (freshly grated, preferred)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

To Make:
1. Cut the pumpkin, removing skin and scooping out pulp. Place the flesh in a pot with a small amount of water.

2. Cook the pumpkin until mashable with a potato masher.

3. Remove from heat, mash pumpkin, and add yogurt, lemon juice, honey and spices. Use while still warm.

To Use:
1. Sit in the tub or shower and slather the warm pumpkin mixture all over your dry body and face. You may apply to your hair too, if you like. (Make sure hair is clean.)

2. Rest with the mixture on your body for 10 minutes.

3. Rinse off with warm water.

4. Pat the skin dry and follow with an application of your favorite body and face moisturizer. For hair after rinsing, follow with your favorite conditioner.

Mindy Terry

Saturday, June 19, 2010

What will your book be?

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MMB is giving away one of our swag bags from the CBC10 today!
Lucky for us!

You should see the amazing swag bag!

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Creating a Candy Buffet Table

Creating a great-looking, delicious candy display table takes a certain amount of forethought and planning. From choosing the candy types to colors to how to display it all, the first step in creating a successful candy table is coming up with the overarching concept. Here’s how:

1. Begin by Outlining the Purpose of the Event

Quickly jot down who the party is for or what the crux of the celebration is about to suss out any potential inspiration points for the dessert table display.

2. Decide Upon a Theme

If it’s a graduation party, consider using candy in the school colors in the candy table buffet. For a birthday, incorporate the birthday boy or girl’s favorite types of dessert or candy. If it’s an engagement party, you can top mini cupcakes with faux engagement rings, or include ring pops in tall apothecary jars.

3. Choose Dessert Selection

Though candy bars are usually filled with – you guessed it – candy, many people are getting creative and providing a selection of other dessert treats. From brownie bites and lemon bars to mini cupcakes and tiny chocolate chip cookies, the possibilities are endless.

To choose the right dessert selection, consider the taste of your guests, as well as the guest of honor for the celebration.

You can include desserts and candies that fit a theme (such as Cracker Jack bags for a baseball-themed boy's birthday), or desserts and candies that have particular meaning for the guest of honor (mini version of Grandma’s banana bread pudding cups, a favorite childhood treat).

The more thought that goes into the selection of items for the candy table, the more personal and meaningful the display will be, and the more guests will appreciate and admire the end result.

By: Yelena Johnson @ celebrations.com