Wellness Wednesday: The Power of the Handwritten Note

I think we underestimate how important it is to do something for ourselves every day – and I’m talking little things, a five minute chat with a friend, taking a nice, long bath, reading a chapter in a breezy book, tapping our toes to some new music. These little things make us feel less overwhelmed and more in tune with ourselves. It doesn’t hurt they also put a smile on our faces.

But what are things you can do to perk someone else’s day up a bit? They do say the easiest way to put a smile on your face is to put one on someone else’s, right? Well, here’s an idea: how about a good old fashioned letter?

In today’s day and age when people communicate via text, email, twitter, even gchat, we hardly take the time to really express what we’re feeling with an actual pen. I mean, when was the last time you opened your mailbox and received a handwritten letter from someone (other than a wedding thank you gift.) It’s probably been a veryyyy long time. And yet, it’s so much more meaningful to receive a handwritten letter, isn’t it? You actually have to do some work for it.

There was a time that I used to try and write someone a letter every week – whether it was to thank them for being a great friend, or to remind them how wonderful they were. Everyone who received a letter was extremely grateful. Plus, it gave me an excuse to buy some really cute stationary and practice my penmanship. I’m going to try and get back into the habit of this. There’s so much I have to be grateful for and it’s time to start spreading it around. Who knows, maybe a letter will be coming your way…

Happy Wednesday, friends. 

Wellness Wednesday: Act Like a Kid (Eassover Edition!)

Easter undoubtedly has the best activities and candy. I mean, Easter egg hunts, baskets, PEEPS! All good stuff. Passover has some cool things, but they mainly involve matzo (not that there’s anything wrong with matzo, mind you!) Here’s my guide for acting like a kid this Eassover!

Easter Baskets

Remember when you got these as a kid? I do too (my family used to give out baskets at the end of our Seder and then we suddenly remembered we were Jewish one year and stopped that). My fiancé and I have exchanged baskets since we started dating. He makes me what he likes to call a “Moses Basket” since Moses was essentially found in a basket on the river. Here’s what I like to put in the adult version of these kid favorites:

-Alcohol (wine, bottle of something, 6 pack) – you wouldn’t find that in a kid’s basket, right?

-Candy (peeps, PB easter eggs, malted easter eggs from Trader Joes) Because every good basket could use a little sugar

-Gift Cards (restaurants, and places that recipients will find useful). They’re small and you know they’ll get some good use

-Something to remind them of being a kid (baseball cards, paddle ball, flying helicopter) – they’ll get that reminiscent feeling of opening their basket as a youngin’

I like to do my easter basket shopping at a drugstore like CVS. Find an inexpensive whicker basket or recycle from last year, throw in some “grass” garnish, and wrap it all up in cellophane! You’re set

Easter Egg Hunt / Afikomen

I think everyone knows the basic premise of an Easter Egg hunt, but Passover has a tradition where you have to find the matzo that’s been hidden in the house and you get a price (usually some sort of monetary one). For last year’s Eassover we scattered plastic eggs and matzo around the house and told everyone when they came inside there were prizes hidden in the eggs, and an extra special surprise for whoever found the matzo. It was fun and added an extra layer to the dinner party. And I kid you not, we were still finding matzos until the day we moved out (eight months later!). In the eggs we put the standard candy and jelly beans, but we also put slips of paper that said things like: “get a signature drink from the bar”, “make an easter egg at the decorating station”, etc so it turned into more of a game. Also, whoever found the matzo was given a price basket that was essentially a mini version of an Easter basket. Fun!

Egg Decorating

I’m always amazed at how simple and fun this is! We just got a pre-made kit from CVS that cost around $10 and had colors and stickers. Then, we just hardboiled a bunch of eggs beforehand. Some of the eggs our more artistic friends created were amazing. Mine was just purple, but still awesome.

Chocolate-Caramel Covered-Matzo Recipe

And because I’m in such a giving mood, here’s a bonus recipe for the week: Chocolate-Caramel Covered Matzo. They will definitely put the wellness into your Wednesday. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes, Bake time: 15 minutes, Ready in: 45 minutes

4-6 Matzo crackers

1 cup (2 sticks) butter (the recipe I used called for unsalted, but I only had salted on hand and they came out fine – so use whichever you prefer!)

1 Cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

½ cup chocolate chips (semisweet is my favorite, but I used milk chocolate and

white chocolate and everyone thought they were delicious)

1. Line a baking sheet with foil, Preheat oven to 350. Break apart the matzo into square size crackers (about ¼ of the matzo brick)

2. In a medium saucepan, cook the butter and sugar over medium high heat for 3-5 minutes, whisking constantly.

3. Pour the caramel mixture over the matzos with a spoon. Spread evenly so it’s a thin layer

4. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Check halfway to make sure it’s not browning too quickly, and rotate the pan

5. Remove matzo from oven, immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the matzo pieces. (tip: if you’re using white chocolate, sprinkle those pieces first since they tend to take longer to melt)

6. Let the chocolate sit for 5 minutes, then spread over the matzo (like frosting!).

7. Place in the fridge for about 15 minutes to set. Keep them at room temperature until they’re ready to serve.

8. Soak in the compliments when you serve them!

Makes 16 servings. 1 serving = 200 calories

Happy Wednesday! We’re halfway through the week!

Wellness Wednesday: At-Home Spa

Last week I said one of my favorite Wednesday rituals is turning my bathroom into a spa. Well, here are all the tools to do so! I love it because it’s a great way to regroup and recharge mid-week in the convenience of your own home and without spending a pretty penny to feel relaxed. Just a disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist or esthetician, so what works for me may not work for everyone. But, if you’d like a little midweek pampering, here’s what I do:

Exfoliate skin head to toe

Step into a nice warm shower (bonus points if an aroma candle is burning nearby), and slough off that dead skin.

My Pick: Milis Buff Body Exfoliator – this body scrub is great if you’re going to apply any cellulite or body treatments afterwards. It leaves skin feeling tingly… ooo la la

My 2^nd Favorite: La Liscious Sugar Souffle Scrub in Sugar Kiss the smell of this body scrub is amazing. Plus, it leaves skin feeling like silk.

Drugstore Deal: Alba Hawaiian Body Scrub – a cheaper version of the sugar scrub that is all natural

Detox Body Cream:

After stepping out of the hot shower with your newly polished skin, slough some skin “helpers” on

My pick: Milis Maintain Anti-Cellulite Lotion – like the exfoliator, you can feel it tingle when you use it, and you can see results when you use it consistently!

2^nd Pick: Bliss Fat Girl Slim – I love all of Bliss’s skincare products. They smell amazing and actually work

Drugstore Deal: Nivea Goodbye Cellulite Gel Cream – I’ve used it and seen results, but over a long period of time. And you get the tingly sensation!

Body Lotion:

Let the skin helpers absorb and then layer on some lotion over your entire body for a smooth and delicious smelling finish

My Pick: Bliss Vanilla Body Cream – It’s like pouring milk over your body. Super absorbent and smells A-mazing.

Drugstore deal: Olay Ultra Moisture lotion – Best drugstore moisturizer in my opinion. I use it for everyday use.

Face Wash

Now that your body is nourished and pampered, let’s move to our precious faces and get off all that dirt and makeup

My Pick: Image Clear Cell Salicylic Gel Cleanser – The Image skincare line has done wonders for my skin. Nothing leaves my skin feeling as refreshed and squeaky clean!

2^nd Favorite: Philosophy purity cleanser – Philosophy knows skincare! If your skin isn’t as problematic as mine, this cleanser is as good as they come.

Drugstore Deal: Neutrogena deep cleanser – Great cleanser at a great price!

Face Scrub

Now that your skin is squeaky clean, let’s polish it smooth!

My Pick: Sanitas Lemon Cream Scrub: Mmm, the smell of this scrub is amazing like freshly squeezed lemons. Plus, it’s super-fine so it doesn’t feel rough on my skin.

2^nd Favorite: Clinique 7-day Cream Scrub – Great for all skin types

Drugstore Deal: St. Ives Apricot Cream Scrub – The smell is amazing and it really sloughs off the dead skin

Face Mask

Okay, your skin is feeling clean and polished. Now let’s take it to the next level and use a masque to take away all problems (wouldn’t that be nice?)

For Acne: Image Medicated Acne Masque – Sensitive skin, beware. If you’re dealing with a flare-up, NOTHING is better than this acne mask (and trust me, I’ve tried them all). It’ll make your skin tingle, and blemishes will be gone in 2-3 days. But, make sure to use a heavy-duty moisturizer after!

For Moisture: Origins Plantidote Mega Mushroom Skin Calming Face Mask – If you suffer from dry, sensitive skin this is the best bet for you. Your skin will feel BLISSFUL afterwards.

For Detox: Dead Sea Essentials Chamomile Mud Mask – Removes purities and toxins and makes your skin feel calm and smooth after

Drugstore Deal: Alba Hawaiian Facial Mask w/ Papaya- Smells great and is all-natural

Toner

Rinse that Masque off and apply some toner just to be sure you got all those impurities out!

My Pick: Image Salicylic Clarifying Tonic

2^nd Favorite: Clinique Clarifying Lotion

Drugstore Deal: Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner

Moisturizer / Cream

Now let’s slap some moisture back onto that skin

Oily skin: Philosophy On a Clear Day Moisturizer – Great for oily skin. Gives essential nutrients, but doesn’t leave skin feeling slick.

Normal Skin: Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Cream – Best of both worlds and makes skin feel super soft

Night treatments:

One last step. Just like we gave our body some skin-helpers, these do the same.

My Pick: Sanitas Vita-Rich Serum – Quenches my skin and I can always tell when I’ve used it because the next day my skin looks and feels amazing

2^nd Favorite: Peter Thomas Retinol Fusion PM - Packs a powerful punch of vitamins to prevent aging (it’s going to happen) and makes skin feel nourished.

Drugstore Deal: Olay Regenerist Serum – I have never used it, but it’s tough to argue with it being Allure’s consistent top beauty pick.

Shopping Guide

http://www.mlis.com/

http://www.lalicious.com/

http://www.blissworld.com/skincare.aspx

http://www.imageskincare.com/

http://www.sanitas-skincare.com/

http://www.clinique.com/

http://www.deadsea-essentials.com/products/chamomile-mud-mask

http://sephora.com/browse/brand_hierarchy.jhtml;jsessionid=0XH2XUNC2VMY0CV0KSIBPIQ?brandId=Peter%20Thomas%20Roth

http://drugstore.com (for all the drugstore picks)

Enjoy! Hope you have a blissful Wednesday

Wellness Wednesday: These are a Few of my Favorite Things

If you’re like me, Wednesdays can put you in a serious rut. You’re deep into the work week and all the stress that comes with it, and yet still two whole days away from the freedom of the weekend. That’s why I usually reserve Wednesdays for my favorite stress busters and taking time for myself. Here are some of my favorite ways to get out of the midweek mania:

-Take those extra 5 minutes to sleep in. Especially when you’re cuddled with your boyfriend, fiancé, pup, or amazing body pillow

-Break out of your usual oatmeal or (insert healthy breakfast option here), and have something satisfying and tasty. Bonus points if you eat your breakfast on an actual plate

-Swing by the bookstore and grab that latest chick lit you’ve been eyeing

-Meet a friend for coffee or drinks

-Take a long, hot bath with scented oils and candles

-Bake chocolate chip cookies just because. Your friends and coworkers will love the surprise

-Host a Wednesday wine tasting party with your pals. Get some cheese and crackers to sample with your treats

-Practice some yoga. It’ll make you feel nice and relaxed in as little as ten minutes

-Create a day spa in your bathroom. Treat yourself to an at-home mani / pedi and facial. You can even ask if your significant other is up for playing masseuse

What are some of your favorite mid-week stress relievers?