Experience Beer Scrub at Renaissance Spa Esmeralda

October is the festival of Beer. Do you want to try having beer on your skin? Then come and visit the Renaissance Spa Esmeralda in Indian Wells, CA. Here you can have a body treatment called " scrub, rub and suds". It is a 60-minute unique body treatment where they use locally brewed beer scrub on your skin with brown sugar made from sugar cane. As we all know, beer is a good source of Vitamin B due to its sources such as malt, barley and wheat. This beer is high in double wheat with Kumquat, a type of Asian citrus fruit, and African wild honey. Beer is low in acid PH 2.5 which is perfect in dissolving excessive dead skin cells in the body. On the other hand, sugar from sugar cane is a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium and a good source of Alpha hydroxy acid, a fruit acid that can be found in sugarcane. Glycolic acid in particular. When applied to the skin,it stimulates exfoliation which can result to sloughing off dull and rough skin and promote cellular renewal. Combine both of them and you get a unique exfoliant. Expect to be sticky all over as you get rubbed with this beer scrub. Approximately 30 minutes of being marinated with beer scrub, you will then get an option to have some beer poured in your scalp and get some scalp massage or go straight to hot shower and rinse it all off without the use of any gel. You will definitely feel a big difference right away on your skin after showering. The next part of the treatment is a 30 minutes warm and light hydration massage with an herbal blend of hops, cloves and orange and sunflower oil. This will help to bring back moisture in your skin after being exposed to acidic environment. A cold beer will be serve after your treatment to complete your whole beer experience. Happy Octoberfest!   

Do what is right in your heart this 2014

First night of year 2014, I turned on the television and watched Kingdom of heaven for the 20th times. I love this film so much that I never get tired of watching it over and over. It depicts how human heart becomes weak when it's strength is solely based on power. When the righteous, as they claim, becomes so eager to punish the one they called sinners and unfaithful in their eyes; when the ones in power desires to fill the emptiness of their lives by seeing pain in others. It sounds like these only happen during old days, but If you are going to think about it, the same situations happen in the present day. How then can we live our life in peace? Some will hate us because we do not conform with their own ideals or because we are different. Others will think lowly of us and consider us inferior. This film sums up human behavior. Our strengths and our weaknesses are always expressed everyday from ordinary events to challenging ones like this war. Both heads of Christian and Muslim army were strong not because they have the power to execute, but because they lead with their hearts. They made decisions based on what they think is right and not just to win approval of others. Is there a winner or loser in this film? I think they both won. Their actions were led by the strengths of their spirits. When the main character said that the kingdom of heaven is in the heart and mind of individual and that can not be surrender to anyone. I agree. We must do what is right in our hearts because at the end of the day, when the world is asleep and no one is watching, we will face our own conscience and we will have to deal with it. It will create a separation of ourselves if our actions is not conforming to what the truth of our spirit says. The world may never understand why we act what is on our hearts. As long as we do not harm others, We can do what our heart dictates and look in the eyes of men with peace. And if others judge our actions wrong, we have to accept that and tell ourselves we only answer to our own conscience and to the higher power. Remember the statement in the scene when they are burning dead bodies to avoid disease, We have to do this and hoping God will understand. If he did not understand...then He is not God, and we do not have to worry.

Yes, I pray... in the bathroom eventhough my family may not think so.

I created a wall graphic that came from my daily habit...that is  praying  in the bathroom. 

I let the water run warm just like everybody.  But as I look at that clear fluid running  down the drain, I always remind myself to be thankful knowing some parts of the world  do not have fresh water.  Some might be thirsty and here I am using the same element to take a shower or a bath...indulging in the fresh water this country has provided me.  Thank you my beloved USA.

So as I slowly let the water touch my skin, I fervently say this prayer.  For me, taking a bath or a shower is not something I do lightly.  It is my ritual to help me see and understand why do I do things. For what purpose is my existence.

They said that water is a universal medium and it is everywhere.  Did you know that comets such as Halley's comet are not solid substance but water? Water running across the universe. Isn't it amazing how this world of ours form.  The same water we use in baptizing humans for religious reason. Baptism.  A powerful ritual that can create a strong belief. A belief which has the power in the body that is held in the mind and spirit. 

Water... just like spirit...  always free flowing. 

The next time you want to create a wonderful bath, try to contemplate on this art until it becomes your second nature.  Close your eyes and recite this ferverntly...it will help you see water differently, more positive and not just plain water but water of gratitude and peace.  Your spirit will thank you for it.   www.intrumentsofinspiration.net

Create a yummy feeling...have chocolate on your skin.

Chocolate products are one of the world’s most famous commodities.  We consume it as food in a form of a candy, a warm drink, cold drinks, pastries and more.  It even made its way to alcohol mix drinks and people will do anything to copy that feeling of satisfaction in having chocolate in your life by making chocolate scented candles, oils, soaps, lotions and gels.  Therefore, have you ever even wonder what makes chocolate this good?  Where does it come from and how does it affect us human beings.  For those who are chocolate lovers like me, there is nothing in this article that you already know; but for those who are curious…read on.  You might  find it interesting that it does not only made its popularity to our palate but also to the sensitive part of our body which is our skin.

For us women, chocolate is the next best thing to men especially during our hormonal cycle. Sometimes we get these intense cravings for anything chocolate.  We get moody, irritable and cranky but once we have some chocolate of any kind, be it white, milk or the best one, dark chocolates, we feel better afterwards.  I can definitely say that it is undeniably mystical.  Having it slowly melt in my mouth creates sensual and romantic feeling.  However, what happens if a raw cocoa butter (a byproduct of cacao beans where chocolate came from) is applied in your skin and pair it up with a relaxing massage.  Imagine a hard substance like soap that turns into creamy and silky texture while slowly melts on your skin as your body temperature heats it up.  It creates a warm covering that let the pressure of the hand glides all over your skin while allowing the exquisitely sweet, rich flavor and tantalizing aroma of the chocolate pamper the olfactory sense of your brain through your nose.  The seductive characteristics of chocolate can lift the senses and send one’s memory to happy youthful years where we enjoy eating chocolate as kids with no worries in the world.  Of all the plant-base products, I guess both vegans and meat lovers will agree that chocolates are a happy bean fruit that makes a rainbow to our happy childhood and who does not want to happiness.

Theobroma cacao is the official name of chocolate.   A tree produces cacao beans also known as cocoa beans in common American tongue.    Cocoa butter however is also called theobroma oil.  A pale yellow, pure edible vegetable fat extracted from the cacao beans.  It is use to make chocolate as well as some ointments, toiletries and pharmaceutical products due to its good quality of resisting oxidation.  It contains 50% fats primarily compressed of two saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids) and one mono unsaturated acid (oleic acid).  It is one of the most stable fats known, a quality that coupled with natural antioxidants, which prevent rancidity granting storage up to two to five years.  The moisturizing abilities of cocoa butter are frequently recommended for prevention of stretch marks in women, treatment of chapped skins and lips and as a daily moisturizer to prevent dry and itchy skin.  Our skin is like a sponge, it absorbs whatever we apply in it.  Cocoa butter is high in antioxidants.  It has polyphenols similar to grapes and green tea. The flavinoids  in it reduce oxidation  which is  the rusting process of  body  that naturally happens as we age. It also has a rich number of minerals including magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper potassium and manganese that helps relax and calm the muscle and nerves.  Remember how it helps me get rid of my cranky moods?  It is because of the alkaloids such as theobromonine, a mild stimulant on the brain and the phenylethylamine, a slight anti depressant.  It helps increase serotonin in the brain that is why it is known to have  calming physiological effect in our body.   Cocoa butter is the major ingredient in the commercial production of both white chocolate and milk chocolate so technically, you are applying food in your skin to feed your senses that brings happy thoughts.

So whenever you feel like going back to your happy feelings through chocolate.  Get a massage with pure and raw cocoa butter.  You have eaten chocolates; now try it on your skin and see what yummy feelings bring.

Jessica Clarisse Blaisdell is a senior massage therapist and a trainer at Spa Esmeralda in Indian Wells.  They offer Cocoa Butter Massage where you receive relaxing massage using only natural ingredients such as cocoa butter, aloe butter, shea butter and vitamin E. At the end of the treatment, you get to eat dark chocolate truffles to complete the chocolate experience.  For more information, please visit www.spaesmeralda.com or call 760-773-4444 extension SPA.

BREATHE WHEN YOU FEEL FEAR

I am happy that I made through 1012 without drowning. The responsibility of daily existence is overwhelming sometimes that I feel fear. Will I be able to remain above water is a question that wakes me up in the morning. It is only the second day of January but my bills are piling up faster than I can handle. I am working but what I earn is not enough to support my dreams and my daily existence.

I know that I am not the only person in this world who feels this way. I know it is natural to feel insecure. Sometimes I feel torn between doing what I love and doing things to make both ends meet.

Am I not grounded in life to feel this way? Am I too good to be true kto my dreams?

FEAR. False Evidence Appearing Real

Fear is natural. Fear is not without courage but having the courage to face life condition in spite of feeling fearful.

The courage to keep yourself cool even there is only $40.00 in your checking account.

The courage to keep your head up to face sunrise with a meek smile.

The courage to keep your knees from trembling so you can stand for what you believe.

The courage to keep on breathing and never loose hope in life.

BREATHE... To feel the life energy of our Maker.
BREATHE... It is a powerful distressing agent.
BREATHE... It is free without prescription.
BREATHE...DEEPLY BREATHE WHEN YOU FEEL FEAR.