Stuffed to the brim with stuffing? Us too! Now that you have put down the fork and pledged to forgive yourself of your turkey transgressions, put your Thanksgiving leftovers to good use with these three homemade spa treatments made from all that stuff packed into of your remaining matching Tupperware. A few DIY spa recipes and a nice, well-balanced non-turkey meal will definitely help you feel happier and healthier.

De-puff Under Eye Circles with Potato Slice Soothers

Why: According to dermatologist Dr. Frederic Brandt (featured on LiveStrong.com), ”A chemical found in the potato called catecholase helps lighten skin.” It is found abundantly in potatoes and is commonly used in cosmetics to lighten skin. Refrigerated or frozen potato slices will act like mini ice packs to help reduce the bruised effect of under eye circles.

Ingredients

• Raw potato

Directions

1. Refrigerate whole potato overnight (freeze if preferred)
2. Cut 2 slices or, if you prefer, 5 to 10 very thin slices, several for each eye. Either method works
3. Spritz eye area with water
4. Lying down, place the potato slices on your eyelids and leave in place for at least 10 minutes for best results.

Recipe: Care2

2. Fight Acne with a Cinnamon and Nutmeg Masque

Why: Cinnamon is not only good for you when added to your plate once a day for two weeks; it is also great for your skin topically. Nutmeg has anti-inflammatory qualities so it helps to calm flare-ups as well as reduce redness of acne scars. Cinnamon is a natural exfoliant as well and it’s also known for its antiseptic qualities. Combined with moisturizing honey, it serves to calm your screaming skin.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp honey

Directions

1. Combine into a thick paste
2. Apply to your face for half an hour and then rinse off with warm water
3. Moisturize as per usual afterwards

Recipe: Viva Women

3. Smooth Skin with a Cranberry Body Scrub

Why: Cranberries are chock-full of anti-oxidants that fight free radicals that can age the skin. They are help improve blood flow and contain Phytochemicals that benefit body tissue structures and promote new cell growth and rejuvenation. Plus, they smell great and you can make a tasty Cranberry Lip Gloss, too!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 2 tbsp raw sugar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp orange peel
• 2 tbsp canned cranberries

Directions

1. Combine mixture completely.
2. Apply to your skin with a wash cloth or luffa.
3. Gently scrub your face and then rinse with warm water

Recipe: Planet Green

By Sarah Jenks

Thanksgiving is a loaded holiday. On one hand it’s an amazing celebration full of family, friends and fabulous food, and on the other hand it’s the perfect opportunity for spiraling into guilt and starting a caustic diet cycle.

This year instead of beating yourself up and trying to “un-do” your “bad behavior,” I want to just forgive yourself.

Try this:

Sit with your eyes closed and imagine the you that was sitting at your Thanksgiving table on Thursday. With all of that food in front of her, and all the wine, and celebration, it would’ve taken a super hero to not go back for thirds. Look at her, and tell her you forgive her. Of course it was impossible to be “good” – it was Thanksgiving!

SAY IT OUT LOUD: “I FORGIVE MYSELF.”

When we can forgive ourselves and release the guilt we are far less likely to overeat. It’s the negative feelings that drive us straight into the pint of ice cream in the first place.

Also, resist the urge to restrict your food this week. If you go into starvation/diet mode, your cravings are going to come back with guns blazing by Friday. Just be even, eat how you normally do and the sluggishness will naturally disappear.

Sarah Jenks, founder of theBreathtakingBride.com, helps women fall in love with their bodies and lose weight through exploring the emotional reasons of why we eat. Sarah believes that you can talk about the benefits of broccoli until you are blue in the face, but real change won’t happen until we pull back the veil of fad diets and calorie counting to reveal the true cause of our over eating. Feeling lost about weight loss? Visit her website to download her free guide: “What to do if you feel fat, hopeless and ready to give up.”

Hopefully your Thanksgiving break was stuffed with lots of loved ones,  fantastic food and shopping! If you just couldn’t peel yourself off the couch or out of bed at 2am to hit the big box stores for Black Friday’s fiasco, don’t worry! You can still give the ultimate gift of wellness to everyone on your holiday list today, Cyber Monday. The best part? In honor of the busiest internet shopping day of the year, you can give everyone on your holiday list a $100 Spa & Wellness Gift Card by Spa Week for just $89.99 PLUS a FREE BOX and FREE SHIPPING on all orders (today only)! AND, all other cards are also 10% off with FREE SHIPPING today, too! (Snag one for yourself too — we don’t judge!)

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW! 

Imagine, crossing everyone off your holiday shopping list without leaving your home or office. No lines! No traffic! No wasting gas trying to find parking! No worrying about dragging the kids to the store!  See…everything about the Spa & Wellness Card is relaxing, from the hassle-free purchase to the luxurious spa treatment(s) of your choice!

Your mother always reminded you that it was polite to say “please” and “thank you.” However, when we grow up we tend to forget to mind our manners. It’s so easy to get lost in the real purpose behind Thanksgiving with all the consumption of food and 4am store openings. But taking time out of our busy lives to show thanks can prove helpful to our health and well being.

Research has shown that individuals who practice being grateful in their daily lives actually report fewer stress-related health symptoms, including headaches, gastrointestinal (stomach) issues, chest and muscle pains. Got your attention now?

Now, you don’t need to overdo it on the gratitude. Sometimes just doing a small act can mean the world to someone. Here are a few tips on how you can put a little more “thank you” into your lives:

• Practice meditation, yoga, or prayer. Anything that increases focus on the present moment will help increase gratitude. Be thankful for the small things and look for the beauty in everyday life.
• Re-frame your thinking. This may be the most challenging. Try writing “I am grateful” or “thank you” lists for noteworthy events in your life, such as a break up. Create a gratitude list of things you learned about yourself in that relationship rather than focusing on the negative.
• Keep a journal. Before you go to sleep, take a few minutes to write down what you’re thankful for that day or week. This Thursday, you can even be brave and share with everyone at the dinner table. Remember, gratitude is beautiful!
• Do something for someone else. What goes around comes around. Do a good deed, big or small, and you will probably see the good come back to you. Perhaps cook someone’s favorite dish for Thanksgiving rather than focusing on your own cravings.
• Write a Thank You letter. If you’re not good at talking out your feelings then maybe write your appreciation in a handwritten note for someone this holiday.

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Who said vampires can’t teach us anything? They taught us that love surpasses all (even if there’s a 90 year age difference). While the new Twilight installment Breaking Dawn was raking in $140 million at the box office this weekend… we were all dying to see the wedding! And it definitely had all the drama of Bella and Edward’s relationship. Here are some lessons we learned from the nuptials:

1. Your natural surroundings provide a great backdrop

2. Can’t go wrong with a family crest on the invitations

3. Jewel tones look great on fair skinned bridesmaids

4. You can never have too many flowers

5. Leave the drama behind you (replica of custom Carolina Herrera gown)

6. Wear something blue in your hair

7. Go to Brazil for your honeymoon! (But maybe don’t play chess)

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