five.....bath soaks

ever since i repainted my footed bathtub, i've been enjoying long morning soaks, bubble baths and

other relaxing benefits of bathing, instead of showering, much more often than before. sorry, shower.

who knew a fresh coat of paint would make bathing more enticing?

and now that summer is here with its carefree days and early morning light, it's become a ritual.

here is a tried and true collection of calming, natural bath soak combinations i recommend to peacefully begin or end your day.... 

for soothing skin and calming the body

honey oat and epsom salt soak

1 cup oats 

4 - 6 tablespoons raw honey

1/3 cup epsom salt

4 - 8 drops essential oil

finely grind oats in food processor or blender. add honey a little at a time pulsing between additions. when combination looks crumbly, add epsom salts and pulse for a few seconds. add drops of your essential oil choice and pulse just once. add a spoonful or two to your bath and store remaining in airtight container.

for relaxation and gentle detox

lavender detox soak

1 cup epsom salt

1 cup baking soda

1/4 cup dried lavender blossoms

2 -3 drops lavender essential oil

mix ingredients together. add 1/2 recipe to your bath water. sit in bath for 20 - 40 minutes for body to detox and absorb minerals. detox bathing is recommended twice a week.

for soothing irritated skin, loosening muscles, relaxing

homemade milk bath soak

1 cup epsom salt

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 cups powdered milk

1/4 cup coconut oil

20 drops of one or more of the following essential oils:

chamomile - relaxing and soothing

lavender - relaxing

orange - mood lifting, fresh

peppermint - refreshing and invigorating 

combine all ingredients, stirring until evenly combined.

transfer to an airtight container. soak for at least 20 minutes to reap full benefits.

*our snowball bush and lilacs are in bloom so before bathing, i marched outside in my bathrobe and picked a bunch to float in the bath. 

moisturizing tub tea

i made my own tub tea bags, ordering the tea bags from here. 

feeling like i was getting this tub soak thing down, i filled the bags with a combination of whatever i felt like: powdered milk, mineral salts, epsom salts, vitamin e oil, essential oil and dried flower petals. 

in a bowl, mix your chosen ingredients together so the oils are evenly distributed. use a small scoop or your fingers to fill the tea bags with your personalized mixture. seal the open end of the tea bag with a hot iron.

while filling the bath, hang a tea bag on the bath spout. toss a couple tea bags into bathwater, climb in and relax.

energizing, invigorating and refreshing

*peppermint and garden herbs bath soak

1/2 cup chopped fresh, green herbs and leaves (peppermint, pine needles, sage, rosemary, thyme)

1/2 cup epsom salt

1 tablespoon baking soda

few drops each eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils

use a small food processor to coarsely blend fresh leaves and epsom salts together. spread salt and herb mixture on sheet of parchment paper and air dry for 1 - 2 days. the salt works quickly to pull moisture from leaves and needles, preserving the bright green color.

in a small mixing bowl, combine the dried herb salts and baking soda. stir in a few drops of essential oils and store in airtight container. 

pour loose bath salts into warm bathwater. enjoy the rejuvenating scents and benefits.

*my favorite bath soak