Yogurt Cleanser

This recipe is an effective alternative to high-priced cleansers, costing only pennies per use. As yogurt is full of protein, calcium and vitamins, it is also very nourishing.

For oily or normal skin, mix 1-3 Tablespoons of plain, organic yogurt with a pinch of salt. For dry skin, puncture a capsule of vitamin E and add to the mixture.

Slather onto your face, massaging into the skin. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Nourishing Carrot Facial

Utilize the abundance of vitamin A in carrots with this Cooked Carrot Facial. Combine 1 1/2 cups cooked and mashed carrots with 1/2 teaspoon wheat germ oil, 2 teaspoons of honey and 2 drops of geranium oil. Slather generously onto your face and rinse off after 20 minutes. Your skin will look and feel nourished and radiant.

Dry Skin? Try Rice!

We use brown rice powder in a number of our spa scrubs, as this plentiful and inexpensive plant makes an ideal moisturizer. Unlike silicone-based moisturizers which tend to clog the pores, rice allows moisture to move in and toxins to move out. It also promotes cell turnover and boosts collagen production. If you can't get in to Absolute Nirvana for a massage, brown rice-based scrub and steam, try making your own scrub at home. Simply grind up organic brown rice using a coffee grinder, mix with organic plain yogurt and gently massage into skin, including face. Leave on for five to ten minutes (ideally while sitting in a steam room) before rinsing off. Your skin will feel moisturized and rejuvenated.

A New Super Food!

The pulp of the sea buckthorn berry contains omega-7 fatty acids, high levels of vitamin C, polyphenols, and 'survival proteins', making it a king among super foods. From fighting off colds and flu to increasing the skin's elasticity, this berry has the ability to strengthen the body inside and out.

Simple Tips for Healthy Hair

The Absolute Nirvana Spa Bliss Package, including a hot oil hair mask, is the ultimate way to restore luster to dry, brittle hair, but here are a few tips for healthy hair that cost little or nothing: massage your scalp 3-5 minutes a day to stimulate hair follicles, alternate between hot and cold water when rinsing your hair, exercise regularly to improve oxygen flow to hair follicles, add aloe vera to your shampoo, and lastly, brush hair with a natural-bristle brush for at least 5 minutes every day.

Trick-or-Treat for Licorice!

The flavonoids and saponins found in licorice root can help to balance hormones, act as an anti-inflammatory and ease indigestion. When used together with kojic acid, licorice can break down existing melanin and fade dark spots, acting as an effective skin brightener. This Halloween, pass on the Snickers and go for the licorice! Better yet, choose the healthiest versions possible, found at your local health food store.

Ever So Versatile Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil, a featured ingredient in our Coconut/Lemongrass Deluxe Treatment, has a wide range of health benefits. The fatty acids in coconut oil act as a heavy-duty moisturizer, while its lauric acid has an antiseptic effect. Use it as a nourishing make-up remover, lip balm, face mask, or even gargle the oil to fight a cold. Many people use coconut oil as a healthy cooking oil, as it has no trans-fats.

Chamomile Shampoo

There are plenty of shampoos on the market labeled 'Chamomile', but honestly, how fresh and effective can they be? For optimal care and nourishment of light-colored hair, try this homemade Chamomile Shampoo.

1 cup boiling water
2 T. dried or fresh chamomile flowers
1/2 cup mild shampoo
2 T. glycerin
Juice of 1 lemon

Pour the boiling water over the chamomile flowers, stir and let steep for 30-60 minutes. After straining out the flowers, add shampoo, glycerin and lemon juice to the herbal water and combine thoroughly. Let the mixture stand for 24 hours to thicken. Store in the fridge. Shake well before using.

Turmeric for Optimal Health

We use a lot of herbs and spices in our treatments at Absolute NIrvana Spa, knowing they provide a multitude of health and beauty benefits. Consider adding turmeric (found in our Javanese Lulur scrub) to your daily diet to support healthy joint function, promote radiant skin, strengthen your immune system and assist in healthy digestion. Turmeric is found in traditional Ayurvedic recipes, but can also be used in place of saffron in other more commonly-used recipes. For optimal results, only buy pure and organic turmeric.

Super Simple Cuticle Softener

Soak your hands in 1 to 2 cups of warm milk or buttermilk for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will soften and smooth your hands and cuticles. Then use an orangewood stick to push back your cuticles.

Need Help with Dry Summer Hair & Skin?

This conditioner can be applied all over the body and hair before showering for much-needed nourishment and hydration:

1 cup plain yogurt
1 T. honey
1 T. almond oil
1 T. wheat germ

Combine all of the above in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Slather all over hair and body, wait a few minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

Fun Summer Toners

Summer is a time to take advantage of all the fresh fruits and veggies available at your local farmer's market. Here are a couple of fun toners inspired by this bounty of produce. Your skin will be nourished and tightened, giving you more youthful radiance.

For Dry Skin
Rub a mashed up a peach, pear or cantaloupe into your skin and then rinse off with tepid (not hot!) water.

For Oily Skin
Mash a fresh cucumber, tomato, grapefruit or strawberries and gently rub all over your face. Rinse with warm water.

Watercress - a Powerful Detox

Not just for dainty finger sandwiches with tea, watercress is packed with antioxidants, calcium, iron and vitamin C. The mineral-rich plant is also known as a detox aid, especially noted for its ability to remove heavy metals from the body and brain. It can also help purify your blood and kidneys. Teatime anyone?

Nourishing Neroli Hand Cream

If you suffer from chapped and overworked hands, try this hand cream recipe - great for soothing rough skin and a frazzled mind.

Blend the following and massage into hands and nails:

1 T. unscented natural hand lotion
1 drop neroli essential oil
1 drop carrot essential oil

Bathtime Aromatherapy

The perfect antidote to a stressful day at work is a warm bath with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. The steam and warmth of the water evaporate the oils and increase the aroma, while also allowing the oils to permeate your skin more deeply. For added relaxation, light some candles and put on your favorite soothing music.

Quiet your Brain

Do you sometimes find it hard to turn off the constant chatter of your mind? Try massaging a few drops of pure essential sandalwood oil in a line running from the front of each ear toward your jaw. As you are massaging, close your eyes and take several deep breaths. This process will relax jaw tension and the stuck circulation that make it hard to still the mind.

Yogi Yogurt Cleanser

This is a simple but effective cleanser for those with normal to oily skin. Yogurt, with its protein, calcium and vitamins, is very nourishing for your skin.

Combine 1-3 T. plain organic yogurt with a pinch of salt. Apply to face and massage into skin before rinsing off with warm (not hot!) water.

The same mixture will work for those with dry skin, though instead of adding salt to the yogurt, you will want to thoroughly mix in the oil from a Vitamin E capsule.

Revitalizing Moisturizer

Here is an absolutely incredible moisturizer to help with dry winter skin. The oils will provide needed moisture as well as provide the nutrients your skin needs to be smooth and glowing. Simply mix the following ingredients in a glass jar and shake vigorously. The mixture can be stored in the fridge, so feel free to double or triple the amounts.

1 T. olive oil
2 T. avocado oil
2 T. almond oil
2 T. sesame oil
2-5 capsules vitamin E oil (400 I.U.)
2 capsules vitamin A oil (50,000 I.U.)
2-5 capsules evening primrose oil
2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil - lavender, ylang-ylang, jasmine (optional)

Cleansing for Joint Pain

Joint pain can be relieved by ridding the body of toxins. Through diet you can stimulate digestion and circulation, thus cleansing your liver and reducing joint pain. Try a drink made from a slice of raw ginger along with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice, added to warm water. Let sit for a few minutes for ginger to permeate the water, then drink. The combination of hot and sour flavors provides a balanced cleanser. It's also a good remedy after a rich meal.

Seaweed Helps with Slimming

If you suffer from an under-active thyroid, you may also experience water retention, resulting in excess weight, cellulite, lethargy and fatigue. To help combat this, try adding seaweeds such as laminaria and sargassum to your diet. You can find packets of dried seaweed in all health food stores, and these can be eaten straight from the packet or steamed and added to rice and vegetable dishes. If the taste of seaweed is not for you, you may want to try a pill called Laminaria 4, made by Seven Forests.

The Power of Sweet Jasmine

We use jasmine oil here at Absolute Nirvana in our signature treatment, the Javanese Lulur. This two-hour long deluxe treatment was given to Javanese Princesses on each of the forty days leading up to their wedding. Not only is the scent sweet and euphoric, it is also uplifting to the soul - a perfect scent to combat the winter doldrums.

In addition, jasmine oil can relieve pre-menstrual mood swings and pains, as well as labor pains when applied as a compress. Along with softening dry skin, it will also help to minimize stretch marks.

Starting the New Year with the Basics

We often spend so much time and money seeking the Fountain of Youth in expensive lotions, potions and treatments, yet overlook the most essential and simple beauty treatment of all: water. Considering that the human body consists of about 70% water, this is clearly the most important component towards maintaining optimal health and beauty. Simply put, without water our cells collapse and the basic bodily functions that keep us alive shut down entirely.

The basic minimum requirement is 8-10 eight ounce glasses of water per day, though more is needed in times of illness, hot weather and demanding exercise.

Water is essential for healthy hair, skin, nails and body. Drinking ample amounts of water will combat dry skin, dull and limp hair and brittle, cracked nails.

So before you go out and spend a small fortune on bottled beauty products, remember to invest first on this simplest of natural ingredients.

Honey Face Lotion

The cold winter temperatures and dry indoor heat wreak havoc on our skin. Here is an easy-to-make moisturizer to help soften your skin.

1 T. honey
1/2 c. cold water
1/2 t. apple cider vinegar

Combine the above ingredients and spread all over face and neck right after showering. Leave this on your skin to dry naturally so the honey can penetrate and nourish.

The Lowly Onion

Now that we are in the thick of cold & flu season, you may wish to avail yourself to the curative properties of the lowly onion. Along with garlic and leeks, onions can help to combat infections, improve digestion and ease coughs. A popular traditional recipe for homemade cough syrup was to layer slices of onion with honey and leave overnight. In the morning you may begin to ingest the syrup. While the taste may leave a bit to be desired, it is an effective remedy for stubborn coughs.

Dealing with Allergies

Many of us suffer from allergies, be they seasonal or food-related. Changing your lifestyle can either help or worsen your symptoms.

What can you do to alleviate allergy symptoms?
Drink cumin/coriander/fennel tea; keep your house free of dust and mold, do a cleanse 2-4 times a year, eat simple food combinations (do not mix fruit or dairy with meat and fish), ingest anti-acid herbs.

What makes allergies worse?
Dairy products in your diet; oily, rich and sweet foods; hot spices; fatigue; complicated food combinations.