DIY: Green Tea & Peppermint Bath Soak

You Will Need:

• 3 cups Epsom salt (unscented)

(I chose to use a 1:1 ratio of Pink Himalayan Salt and Dead Sea Salt after the yoga studio I attend starting carrying it at a fairly reasonable price!)

• 1 cup finely ground sea salt
• 3 Tbsp loose green tea or 9 green tea bags
• 4-6 drops of peppermint essential oil (I also used a couple drops of eucalyptus essential oil)
• 6-8 drops Fractionated coconut oil or Almond Oil

 Combine the 3 cups of Epsom salt and the 1 cup of sea salt in a medium mixing bowl and stir well to make sure they’re fully mixed.

If you’re using green tea bags, cut them open to remove the tea. Add the tea to the salt mixture and stir again to make sure they’re mixed very well. You want to be sure that you have a pretty even distribution of the tea.

Add the peppermint oil and either the coconut or almond oil and stir it well to combine. If you’re skin is dry, use the coconut oil. If your skin is oily, go with the almond oil. You can use a bit more than called for if it doesn’t go far enough, but you shouldn’t have to when you’re adding the essential oil to it as well.

Stir very well to make sure the oils get distributed.

When mixed well, cover with a paper or kitchen towel and let sit for an hour or so to absorb the scent and oil.

Store in an airtight container in a dry place.

To Use: Mix (1/2 – 1 c) into warm bath, set your playlist to Zen & enjoy!

Original recipe courtesy of;  http://sixdollarfamily.com/diy-green-tea-and-peppermint-bath-soak

Self Care & Why It's Important

When I was younger, I always made time for me. This was probably because I had no real responsibilities. But I always had time to go get manicure or a pedicure, or to take a hot relaxing bath and make sure my legs were shaved, exfoliated and moisturized. I always had time to paint my nails or to spend the evening conditioning my hair and giving myself a pedicure.

Time like that is a rarity for me these days. If I’m not working, planning, teaching, cleaning or spending QT with my husband, pups and family, I’m sleeping. The older you get, the more hectic life becomes and the more important having some kind of self-care ritual becomes.

For me, in the midst of what already was chaos, I also am teaching yoga. I am teaching this powerful tool that inspires others and here I am sometimes finding myself uninspired. I am portraying that I totally have my shit together, when in all honesty, sometimes I’m just flying by the seat of my pants. Becoming a teacher was the best thing I could do. But is also takes time away from me. You learn to get your inspiration and “me time” in other ways and yet somehow it never feels like it's quite enough. Having a great mentor is one of the best things to help with this. However, I've also found taking the time for yourself; whether it’s setting a pamper night or signing up for a yoga class with your favorite instructor.

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't take what I do for granted OR wish I didn't do it. I absolutely LOVE what I do. In a way, the 'high' I get before and after teaching a class is part of my self care. It literally is the best feeling in the whole entire world that I am so grateful I get to experience.

My point is though; it's not just being a yoga teacher. Regardless of what you do professionally (but especially if you are in an industry where you take care of others) or what you do for a hobby,  You have GOT to do something to nurture yourself because the truth is – we can’t even begin to help people if we don’t help ourselves first.

Sure, this may sound selfish, but it’s the same reason the flight attendant instructs you to put on your oxygen mask before helping your neighbor with theirs.

How can we expect others to be able to drink from our cup if our cups aren’t full?

I won't lie to you. It's a hard thing to do! But it isn't impossible.

Today, make time for you. Set aside some time for yourself; even if it’s 5 minutes and do something for you.