Friday's Formula: Lisa's Rose Milk Bath - Fresh Version

I’m going to allow myself to switch gears this Friday. Usually, my Friday Formulas are recipes for hair. I realize that we all tend to neglect what we need and want at times for a myriad of reasons – obligations to family, work, etc. This is just a reminder that you should take some time to relax. Doing so will help to recharge your mind, body and spirit. Before you get to the point of feeling run down, schedule some time for YOU!

As you may know from my Wednesday post, I have been reading Success Never Smelled So Sweet by Lisa Price (founder and president of Carol’s Daughter). This is an inspiring read about her “rags to riches” story. In this book, she also offers several recipes for spa-type treatments. I certainly plan on making this one in the very near future. I encourage you to slow down and take a moment to give yourself some TLC.

With its sensual and aphrodisiac qualities, rose oil is known as th queen of all oils. It soothes the emotions, uplifts the spirit and boosts the user's self-confidence. Excellent for skin care, it nourished dry and/or aging skin.

1 quart whole milk
1 fifth of vodka
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
5 roses
50 drops rose frangrance oil
Strawberries, sliced and strained of juice (optional)

1. Sit in a comfortable chair, preferably one with arms or pillows to embrace you. Bring roses to your nose, close your eyes and inhale deeply. Let the aroma take you on a jouney. Be careful not to lose your balance.

2. Gently pull the petals off the roses, throwing away the center and stem.

3. Toss the petals into a large mixing bowl, saving some for floating in your bath or in a bowl near your bath.

4. Pour in the milk (smoothes the skin), followed by the vodka (tones the skin), then the vanilla extract (an aphrodisiac). Stir.

5. At this point you have the option of including sliced strawberries to add alpha hydroxy acids (improves skin texture, cleanses pores).

6. Add rose oil frangrance. Be creative if you dare by adding gardenia (uplifting), honey (attacts and retains moisture) or sandlewood (calming, aphrodisiac, aids in meditation).

7. Close the bathroom door, turn the shower on "hot" and allow bathroom to steam up. Shift water to bathtub nozzel, reducing temperature to warm as not to dry out the skin.

8. Gather remaining rose petals in a decorative bowl. Put some John Coltrane in your CD player, light your favorite candle, dim the lights and sit on the side of the tub. Slowly pour rose mixture into bath, swirling the ingredients in the water with your hand. Set bowl of petals alongside your bath or sprinkle petals atop the water, asking them to help you draw out your most loving feelings. Stick your big toe in the water to test the temperature. Adjust the water as necessary. Slide in.

Enjoy the Labor Day weekend.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

* Other recipes can be found in the "hair recipe" category to the right