pamper me

Sometimes all we need is a little peace and quiet. We just want some time to let our hair down, put our feet up and let our mind drift away to somewhere that only exists in our dreams. Well, I say do it. Give yourself the opportunity to feel special. Spend some time on yourself for a few hours on weekend. If you are a parent, ask a responsible adult(s) to take your child(ren) to the movies or to the mall or even just over to their house for a while, and take time to rediscover the most important person in your life: YOU.

The best way to pamper yourself is to have your own space. If you don't have your own place, use your room. If you don't have your own room, use the bath room. If you are in like a dorm or something, rent a room at a hotel, just for a day or two.

Lavender, bergamont, and green tea are all aroma therapy sents that are soothing, relaxing, and enlightening. The key thing is in taking the time to smell the different candles and potpouri to see wich one's appeal to your senses. I love rain scent from Mrs. Baker's (Hallmark) and spied pear from Pier 1. You might like something stronger, or more spicey, or floral. Go to stores and smell the candles. And please do not buy the cheap one's. You love yourself, you are worth it. Light candles around the tub, around your room, and any where else you like to kick back and relax. Mixing scents is good, too. Just becareful of what scents you mix together.

Here are some suggestions for what you can to when you earn time to take a vacation for a few hours.

Light a couple of scented candles, sit on the floor,(make sure it is clean), and meditate. You do not have to chant or hum, unless you want to, but do take time to listen to your body, relax and notice how it feels when air enters and leaves you body. Let your mind drift away to a place only you can find. This place is where you are Queen. You are the most important person right now. Think of how your life would be different if you had the money and the support to do all that you have ever dreamed of. Think of what life would be like if you did not have anyone, if you did not have anything. As you let your body and mind relax, reminisce back to a time when you were young and felt as though you were on top of the world. Take time to recognize some of your dreams that you have achieved. Think about goals that you are close to achieving.

This intimate session with your thoughts, mind, body should be followed by a long, soothing bath. Use sea salts and body gels and all of that other stuff that makes you feel good. Turn on the answering machine, or simply do not answer the phone. Sit in the tub until the water gets cool. Get out and slather yourself with body oil. Dry off, put on a really comfortable outfit, and sit around reading, watching TV, singing with the radio, or even taking a nap.

Change the sheets on your bed, make it up with all of your pillows and climb in with a good book. Your bed is your most private place. You can even curl up and day-dream. Take time to get away from yourself and from your life.

Another thing to do is to buy a baby blanket, (it should be a nice soft one). Remember how Linus clung to his blanket as though it were his best friend? Hang on to your blanket. Or hang it on a wall. Use it to remember how innocent childhood is. Children are sweet, and they have a pure faith that everything will work out somehow, some way. On the same note, go to a book store and buy some childrens books. Remember the first time you read Curious George? Or Goodnight Moon?

Adding certain herbs to your bath can provide some very physical and emotional benefits, boosting the soothing effects of a good soak. Bathing in warm water dilates blood vessels adn relaxes muscles while teh herbs supply aromatherapeutic benefits. The easiest, least messy way to have an herbal bath is to fo what is called an infusion. Combine the herbs, (either dried or fresh), in a stainless steel, glass, or ceramic bowl. Pour two pints of boiling water over the herbs and let the mixture steep, covered, for 15 minutes to an hour. Strain the herbs and pour the liquid into the bath under running water. Or you can simply tie the herbs inside cheesecloth and hold it under the running water.

If you are fighting a cold:

4 Tbs. dried Lavender

4 Tbs. dried Rosemary

2 Tbs. dried Ginger Powder

(if you have sensitive skin use

half as much.)

2 Tbs. dried Eucalyptus

Lessen Menstral and premenstral

discomfort:

3 Tbs. dried Chamomile

3 Tbs. dried Rosebuds

3 Tbs. dried Lavender

2 Tbs. dried Hops

Option: rose petals for the bath

1.Drinking two to four cups of tea a day may reduce your risk of developing heart disease and some cancers. And a cup of tea has just 1/3 to 1/2 the caffine of coffee- less if you prefer it briefly brewed. Herbal teas, (store bought) have no caffine.

2.In the course of a day, it is nice to know that you have done one thing perfectly. Making a good cup of tea is easy, there is no way to burn it, and it is relaxing and satisfing. How easy to do a perfect deed.

3. There's a whole world of teas to discover. Black tea, like lipton's and Tetley. Green tea, like most ginsing teas. Oolong, a traditional Chinese tea. Flavored teas, which are amongst my favorite. Celestial Seasonings are my favorite.

4. Tea comes with sweets to swoon for. For perfect tea time treats, embellish simple, store-bought cakes and plain cookies with jam, lemon curd, whipped cream, and berries. Cut heart shapes from thin slices of pound cake. Make cake sandwiches filled with jam, then dust with confectioners' sugar. To dress up a cookie, top thin ginger crisps with a dot of whipped cream cheese blended with minced candied ginger. Sandwich butter cookies or merigues with jam or melted chocolate. Dollop cookies with sweetened whipped cream and top with berries. Or buy scones and eat them warm with thick whipped cream and preserves.

5. Tea sandwiches are so elegant. To make these delicate bites that are just right with tea, prepare sandwiches with various fillings, cut off crusts adn slice sandwiches into fingers triangles, or use a cookie cutter to cut rounds. To try: thinly sliced cucomber on white bread with creamed cheese blended with chopped mint leaves or scallion; smoked turkey and chutney on raisinbread; chicken salad with tart green apple slices on multigrain bread; open-face sandwiches of thinly sliced radish on buttered pumpernickel rounds.

Pamper ME!!