Time to Plan Your Summer Beauty Camp

It’s officially summer now! I really love this time of the year. For me, summer means the taste of juicy watermelons, backyard BBQ, beach time and the salty sea smell, the warm sunshine on your skin (don’t forget your sunscreen) and creating wonderful memories.

You don’t need to go on vacation to experience your best summer ever. The kids are out of school enjoying summer camp, so why not create your own summer beauty camp in the comfort of your home? You don’t need to travel – we travel to YOU! No matter if you prefer an individual or couples treatment or a spa party, this is a summer memory you surely won’t forget.

        Get your special summer glow with our body scrub. Your skin is pampered and polished with essential oils and sea salts, giving you a luxurious summer glow and the feeling of a three week St. Barts vacation. 

Don’t forget your feet they are an essential part of summer, especially when displayed in sexy strappy sandals. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating pedicure and choose a hot nail polish that matches your new divine summer dress.

        Here at Serve the Goddess Mobile Spa Services we offer more than spa treatment. We help you to release your inner Goddess!

Summer is here let's stay hydrated

Yes the first day of summer is here and here's a healthy addition to your summer spa treatments :
Summer Solstice Sparkler
Try this and serve it at your summer spa parties in a pretty pitcher.
Ingredients
1 fresh basil leaf, chopped
6 fresh mint leaves
2 lemon twists
2 orange wedges
1/4 English cucumber, seeded and diced, very cold
Ice cubes
250 ml bottle sparkling water

Directions
Put the basil, mint, lemon, orange and cucumber in a cocktail shaker. Add the ice, cover, and shake vigorously, or stir, until combined and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, the drink is ready when the shaker mists up.) Pour into a chilled Collins glass and top with the sparkling sake. Drop in a pair of chopsticks to pick out the cucumber and oranges, if desired.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/

How often should I get a massage?

How often should you get a massage? One a week, twice a month, once a month? Unfortunately this is oftentimes governed by your pocket book. Ask yourself why you scheduled your massage in the first place. Was it for relaxation or for a specific problem? If it was for relaxation there are additional ways to maintain a stress free body in between massage sessions so you can most likely schedule once or twice a month. However if you booked a massage for an injury or a pinched nerve have a discussion with your massage therapist. They will recommend when to schedule your next session. Ask your massage therapist if they would give you a discount if your purchase a series of massage sessions.
The benefits of massage are cumulative so don't expect miracles in one session. I remind my clients that if they want to get into shape they wouldn't expect to achieve their fitness goals in one session or if they visited the gym only once a month. Finally ask your massage therapist what you can be doing to help your body in between massage sessions.

Earth day- love of the earth and self.

We are now into April and the days are starting to get warmer and flowers are blooming all over. One of my favorite things to do is take a walk along the ocean. Spending time in nature every day is so essential to maintaining a connection with yourself.

And this month I am reminded of this more than ever because of Earth Day. If you haven't connected to nature in a while, do it soon and notice how calm and serene you feel afterward. In honor of this day, we have a few ideas about how you can celebrate the planet, and ensure that it is a safe and healthy place to live for many generations in the future. It is important to take special efforts to show love as often as possible, but having a special day to celebrate love as well-- that's just the icing on the cake! Just as we show our friends and family members our love for them with
little tokens or gestures of affection, we can also show the planet we call home a little love as well. What better time to do this than on Earth Day?

This special nationwide day was established in 1970 to foster an appreciation and awareness of our home, planet Earth. It is officially celebrated on April 22nd, however, some events and venues have chosen to honor the entire month
as 'Earth Month.' In LA, the week of April 19th is generally dubbed 'Earth Week.' Celebrations all over town will take place during the week and on the weekend.

Here at Serve the Goddess Mobile Spa Services there are so many ways that we celebrate Mother Earth and we provide opportunities for you to do so as well. You can indulge in the elements of nature with a hot stone or hot seashell therapy massage. Using either smooth, heated stones or smoothed shells filled with organic materials, they will be applied to your body in various ways to give relief to stiff and sore muscles.

How to do dry skin brushing.

I suggest you pick a dry skin brush that has natural fiber bristles and a long handle for reaching all of your back. Some have a removable handle and strap for using the brush without the handle. The bristles may feel too firm at first, but your skin will acclimate to this over time. If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to start with a softer brush or use a dry towel in the beginning.

How to Use Your Dry Skin Brush
1. Brush your dry body before you shower or bathe, preferably in the morning.
2. Start at your feet and always brush toward your heart. Use brisk circular motions or long, even strokes.
3. Brush all the way up your legs, then over your abdomen, buttocks, and back. If you have cellulite on your hips and thighs, concentrate their a little longer. For complete dissolving of cellulite, brush for 10 minutes daily for several months.
4. Brush lightly on sensitive areas like breasts and more firmly on areas like soles of the feet.
5. When you reach your arms, begin at your fingers and brush up your arms, toward your heart. Brush your shoulders and chest down, always toward your heart.
6. Avoid brushing anywhere the skin is broken or where you have a rash, infection, cut or wound.
7. Finish by taking a shower and if you choose, use cold/hot therapy to further stimulate the lymphatic system and improve circulation.
8. Dry off vigorously and massage pure plant oils into your skin such as almond, sesame, avocado, coconut oil.

Spa treatments for spring

Happy Spring to you. I love this time of the year when the light outside is just exquisite. Springtime is a time for rebirth and renewal and a time to appreciate the wondrous world around us. I don't know about you but I am ready for the dark, cold days of winter to go away.

Here is one my favorite spa treatments and it's so easy to do yourself: Dry Skin Brushing.

Dry skin brushing may be the single most important therapy you add to your detox program. Your skin is your largest elimination organ. It releases a pound of waste each day and will be the first organ to show symptoms of imbalance or toxicity.
The skin is often called the 3rd kidney because it eliminates a quarter of the toxins from the body (the lungs are the 2nd kidney). If your skin cannot efficiently release toxins, you may experience rashes, acne, hives, itchiness, body odor, or even eczema and psoriasis. Dead skin cells, excreted wastes and external pollution (including dirt and skin care products) can build up and clog your pores. Clogged pores inhibit your skin from effectively releasing toxins.
If toxins are unable to escape through the skin they will either be stored in fat cells, contributing to cellulite and other fatty deposits, or they will be re-circulated back into the blood stream, overworking the kidneys, liver and other detox organs. Thus a seemingly simple and easy therapy like dry skin brushing can have a huge overall impact on your whole body health.

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing – More than a Beauty Treatment!
Everyone knows that exfoliating the skin is great for creating radiant and vibrant looking skin. But did you know it’s also an essential tool for good circulation, strengthening the immune system, stimulating the nervous system, toning the muscles and improving digestion? Here is a list of the many inspiring benefits of dry skin brushing:
Stimulates blood and lymph flow. The lymphatic system is an important part of your cleansing and immune system. White blood cells called lymphocytes carry nutrients to cells and remove waste. The lymph flows outside of the circulatory system to bathe, cleanse and restore all of our cells, but it must be returned to the blood vessels to dump its waste. It does this through tiny lymph vessels with one-way valves to the heart. If we don’t move the lymph quickly enough we end up with swollen tissues, particularly in the ankles. Exercise, massage and skin brushing help to speed the process and clear the lymphatic system.
Removes dead skin cells. Dry skin is a sign of detoxification. It is important to remove the dead cells to keep from clogging the system. This will also improve skin texture and renew the skin cells.

Five ways to beat holiday stress.

Five ways to beat holiday stress.
Breathe deeply to allow for full lung expansion,relaxation and oxygenation.
Be grateful for the people and situations you have in your life. Don't focus on what you don't have. Focus on what you do have.
Laugh. Laughing raises your vibration and smiling uses less muscles than frowning and it's infectious.
Sit in silence. Get away from the crowds and sit alone in silence for 5-15 minutes and un-plug
Take a walk outside in nature. Embrace the crisp winter smells; pine trees, and the smell of wood burning fires!