Some close friends of ours (and parents to two adorable girls) remember too their first years — with $8 in the bank at times, and trying to start their own magazine (they succeeded by the way); they had to get creative.
When you’re broke and courting, (or broke and married!) you really get to know each other when all the trimmings are stripped away. You get creative, you figure out how to keep the pampering and indulgence alive. I may be talking to some of you who know this far better than I.
I would never say the broke years were the best in my life (I love travel, philanthropy and the freedom of choice that money can bring), but I will say they weren’t the worst either. My brilliant designer friend talks about how you need boundaries on a room or project to get the most creative. Our boundary for the first years with our first son was money, and I’ll never take money for granted as a result.
Before You Begin:
Block the time with your family in advance. Above all, no cell phones, no interruptions, no cheating! Have papa take the kids to the park or somewhere outside the house for your refreshment time.
Suggestion: Make the mousse for Step 3 first, for optimal relaxation — that way, you’ll get straight out of the bath-turned-spa, and indulge!
Step 1: Relax in a detoxifying bath (approximate time: 20 minutes)
This suggestion is entirely inspired by Earthsavers Rejuvenating bath salts — my complete obsession. (Coincidentally, my first Earthsavers bath salts were one a precious gift.They smell so good to me, I keep a jar by my sink just to sniff, like grown-up glue.) The epsom salt – dead sea salt – baking soda combination is what I often use for kids’ detoxification… The peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary is just for you.:)
This combination softens skin and relaxes muscles, relieving minor aches, pains, and strains. This combination of essential oils uplifts and invigorates. Feel free to create an essential oil blend that you prefer, such as 5-10 drops of relaxing lavender, or the beautiful-smelling, funny-sounding ylang-ylang.
ingredients:
- 2 Cup Epsom Salt (or dead sea salt, or a 1/2-1/2 combination)
- 1 Cup baking soda
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)
- 6 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)
- 3-4 drops eucalyptus essential oil (optional)
Mix ingredients together before adding to bath. Fill your tub with water, adding 1 Cup for every 6 inches of water. Sit in this bath for 20 minutes (or however long you’d like!) After the bath is over, be sure to rinse off with a glycerin soap, to remove any impurities from the skin.
Step 2: Give yourself an energizing foot scrub (approximate time: 5-10 minutes)
This recipe was inspired by both The Idea Room and Sprout Wellness — (a Goop favorite, amazing organic skincare line that gives out a very similar body scrub recipe — and let me know how easy it really is…)
ingredients:
- 1/2 Cup Natural raw brown sugar
- 1 Tblsp. Coconut oil
- 1-2 tsp. Coconut flakes
- 3-5 drops Peppermint essential oil
Over low heat, mix coconut oil into sugar and coconut flakes until sugar just begins to dissolve — very quickly. Take off heat, add peppermint essential oil drops and stir. Take up to bathroom, lay down plush towel on the edge of tub if you have one, and massage away, in gentle, circular motion — for as long as you’d like. Rinse away with warm water.
Finish with this homemade lotion if you’re lucky enough to have some on hand, or use whatever natural favorite you have available). Put on socks — to keep your footsies pampered and moisturized — and to keep you from slip-sliding your way on to Step 3…
Step 3: Eat guiltless chocolate: my recipe for Healthy Chocolate Mousse (approximate time to make: 5 minutes; time to eat: 5 luxuriously long minutes, small slow bites required:))
This chocolate mousse is raw, and a fabulous source of antioxidants, and totally indulgent
Jen’s Best Ever Healthy Raw Chocolate Mousse:
Makes one decadent cup…‘cuz it’s just for you. (Feel free to bookmark this recipe and double, triple, quadruple it as you wish.)
ingredients:
- 3 pitted dates (placed in water for 3-5 minutes to soften)
- 3 Tblsp. maple syrup
- 1 Tblsp. coconut oil
- 2 Tblsp. raw cacao powder
- 1/2 Cup coconut water
- 1 small avocado
- 1 pinch sea salt (I use pink Himalayan salt for added beneficial minerals)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 1 pinch nutmeg
Combine dates, maple syrup, coconut oil, raw cacao and coconut water in a food processor or blender. Add avocado, one scoop at a time until mixture reaches your desired consistency (no more than one full avocado). Add salt, cayenne, cinnamon, and nutmeg to taste. Don’t be afraid – these give it a mild kick that makes the flavor complicated and delicious.
Final step: return to your family utterly refreshed — with a radiant glow, a happy disposition, and yummy-smelling feet. 🙂