A Spa In Your Kitchen

Do you ever have those "Calgon Take Me Away!" moments?  Those of you under 40 years old may not know what I am talking about but all of my other readers do.  It is one of those moments when you just need a long soak in the tub and some peace.  

I have those moments sometimes but what do I do if there are no fancy bath salts, or oil, or bubbles in the house?  Everyone knows that a bath is just better if you can have something in it that smells good and is good for your skin.  

Your answer may be as close as your kitchen.  I have put a few of my bath time favorites below for you to enjoy.  The best news is that some of these are very thrifty and low cost too.

Ginger Tea Bath:
Eases tightness in the chest due to cold weather
1 to 2 oz. fresh or dried ginger
2 t. lemon juice
2 c. water
mix and boil ingredients.  Let steep for 15 min. and add to warm bathwater.  An additional bath sachet of ginger will have a stronger aroma.

Simple Rosemary Bath:
The ideal refresher after a long afternoon outside:
4 T dried rosemary
2 c. water
mix in a small saucepan, then boil.  Turn off the heat and let steep for 15 min.  Add to fast running bathwater along with 1 or 2 t. of olive oil if your skin is dry.

Muscle Massaging Bath:
1 c. cider vinegar 
Add to very warm bathwater 
To relieve specific aches rub a bit of the cider vinegar into muscles before stepping into tub.

or

1 c baking soda or Epsom salts
Add to very warm bathwater and soak.

Bath Thyme:
Thyme in the bath will soften skin while calming nerves.
4 t. dried or fresh thyme leaves
1 pt. boiling water.
Steep for 30 min.
Strain and add to bathwater.  Soak cotton pads in the infusion to cover your eyelids while in the bathtub.

Fragrant Oatmeal Bath:
Helps ease itching, chafed skin.
3 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. lavender
1/4 c. almond meal (from health food stores)
Mix and grind in a mortar and pestle (or blender) to consistency of coarse powder.  Tie into a cheese cloth and suspend under fast running bathwater.  Put directly in bathwater for a stronger effect.

Jasmine Bubble Bath:
1 T mild liquid soap
2 t. oil of Jasmine
2 t. witch hazel
mix and add directly to fast running bathwater.

Cleopatra's Favorite:
leaves your skin satiny smooth
2 c. milk 
pour into warm bathwater and swirl it around with your hand.

or 

1/2 c. buttermilk
1/4 c. essence of orange
2 t. almond oil
heat gently and pour into fast running bathwater.
Enjoy