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Friday, December 12, 2014



The Holidays are here and most of us are partying like it's 1999. But hey friends think about it. In 1999 not a lot of people were concerned with their wellness. It's a new day and a new way. That being said we are all still collectively living life and boozing up a bit too much this time of year. If you are making the holiday party circuit this weekend here are some great acupressure potent points that will get you on the road to mending that much faster. The names of these acupressure points may sound silly to you, but hey, they work. You gotta love traditional Chinese medicine.

I included acupressure points and names so you can do a little more research if  you need it.
Let's start with my favorite point of all time

The Great Eliminator (LI4) . Please note, this point is forbidden for you to use if you are pregnant. Also please use with caution while laboring at the end of your pregnancy. The great eliminator can stimulate contractions in the uterus.

The great eliminator is located in the webbing between your thumb and index finger. You'll want to search for and locate the highest point on the hand and press with intention down into and up towards your heart. Feel that little bump? That's the great eliminator. Not only is the great eliminator great to help cure a hang over its a great point to know and use for almost every aliment. Head aches, cramps, bloating, tension and pain. I use this point often in my massage and skin care practice and also at home.




                                                     ( Acupressure Potent Points
                                                         Michael Reed Gach )



                                                   
                                                            ( Acupressure  Potent Points
                                                         Michael Reed Gach ) 

The Gate of Consciousness. (GB20)  Located below the base of your skull. Feel for the hollows of your skull. They are located between your two major neck muscles. Feel for the hollows. Press with your thumbs or index fingers up into your skull, with intent. Hold this point for a few moments. This point is great for eye pain, dizziness and that irritation we all have after a long night of too much fun.

The Heavenly Pillar (B10) When looking for the heavenly pillar you'll want to spread your fingers out about a half inch from the base of your skull. Feel for the ropey muscles, outwards of the spine. Press with intent and hold for several minutes. If the muscles feel extra ropey not only are you hung over but you are in need of body work and should schedule a session with a trained professional. The heavenly pillar is a great point for exhaustion, burn out, eye strain and overall head heaviness.

Wind Mansion ( GV16) How to find it? Search with index finger for the large hollow in the center of the back of your head. This is a tricky one to locate. I suggest holding your head straight looking forward. You may need your index and middle finger to locate. Once you find it press with intention into the point. This point is deeper so press with a firm finger but don't over do it.



                                                           ( Acupressure  Potent Points
                                                         Michael Reed Gach )


Bigger Rushing (Lv3) There is a valley between your big toe and middle toe on the top of your foot. Say hello to  Bigger Rushing. Great go to point for every day life and also hangovers. To find bigger rushing walk your index finger just a smidgen to find the valley. Once found, press down then up toward the heart with intention and hold for a few minutes.


Maybe you're like what? What exactly am I feeling for? Well, Acupressure points are often tender little spots on your body. Sometimes they feel like bumps.  These points connect all of the meridians through out our bodies allowing energy or chi flow to circulate. A great reason to use acupressure not only when you are  hung over but in every day life is that often stimulation of one point will send a surge of chi ( energy) to another point in your body. It's a great self care practice and I highly recommend it.

Don't forget, drink plenty of water after a night of drinking. Alcohol dehydrates you. Feeling a little bloated after a party night, try and skip as many carbs as possible. Eat protein and drink water.

Happy Holidays and party on!


A Splash Of Color For Your Morning



I have been on a serious smoothie kick for weeks and weeks now. With the gloomy weather of Fall and  early Winter I've been whipping up some delicious, nutritious color. This fun blender cup had a vanilla protein powder, a handful of berries, blue berries, raspberries and strawberries. I also blended in chia seeds for extra fuel and biotin for healthy skin, hair and nails. A splash of almond milk and water and voila... magenta yum!

Sunday, November 2, 2014

The Return Of Mermaid Life



It has been months since I felt ok enough with my conscious to soak in a bath. California is having a pretty serious drought. I have been working out a whole lot lately and my poor quads were seriously not happy with me.  Since it had been so long I allowed myself the indulgence and whipped up some extra fantastic ingredients to make sure my bath was as therapeutic and indulgent as possible.

So what was in the brew this go round? Well let me tell you.

3 tablespoons of chamomile flowers dried
1 cup of epsom salts
a squeeze of local honey, a kukoi body oil
1/2 cup of milk
2 tablespoons of dried passion flower
a few sprinkles of lavender essential oil

Not only was this bath aromatic and soothing to my achy muscles my skin was smooth and felt fantastic the next day. Oh and in the tea cup, chamomile tea. It was a long day.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Purple Potion

I have been on a serious smoothie kick lately. I really don't know what the heck took me so long to get with it, but here I am having a serious love affair with my Blend-Tec  and the produce section of my local market. This morning I was in need of something. I needed it to be quick of course and full of color since I love to start the day off bright. I whipped up this fantastic tasting smoothie.

Purple Potion Smoothie

1/2  cup of frozen berry mix
1/2 cup of coconut milk
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
1 tablespoon of oats
1 tablespoon of dried blueberries
1 tablespoon of almond halves
3 prunes

I love the super full feeling I had after drinking this smoothie and bonus the dried berries and prunes had me matching my manicure ... so fab!


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Pomegranate Luv!


A couple of weeks back I popped into a local farmers market and picked up a fresh pomegranate. I love the fresh tangy  taste and delicious crunch when you bite down on this powerful fruit. What's crazy fabulous about pomegranates are they are great for your body and your skin. Pomegranates are the most powerful anti-oxidants of all fruit, providing you with anti cancer and immunity support effects. Pomegranates are also great a lowering blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Pomegranates are also ideal  for fresh clear skin. Feel a little dry? Don't skimp on the Pomegranate juice, it helps keep you hydrated and will recharge and replenish your dull dry skin. Pomegranate also helps to stimulate collagen production, battling wrinkles and saggy skin as we age.

Having a break out? Pomegranate is great to decrease inflammation and battle the redness that pops up on your skin near that wretched pimple.

Adding pomegranates into your diet or to your skin care regime will defiantly boost your shine. so go ahead and give it a whirl.

Here are two quick and easy ways to make it happen, like now!


Pomegranate juice is great to tone your skin with after you wash it.




Antioxidant Rich Smoothie 
Serves: 2 Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
4 cups organic baby spinach
1 cup pomegranate juice
1 cup blueberries, frozen
1 cup strawberries, frozen 
2 tablespoons flax seeds, ground
2 tablespoons of coconut oil 

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Self Care... It's An On Going Thing







Here we are, October 1. I really loved September and all of the reminders to care for yourself. 
I decided to continue on and create another little calendar to give some more inspirations on how to and when you can carve out time for self care. I truly and fully believe in the caring of yourself. You can never invest too much time on you. 

Take some time and plan out when you will make the all important date with yourself and make this time an on going ritual. There are 91 days left in 2014. Recommit and reinvest in you. 












Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Autumn Has Finally Arrived


We have been having a serious drought here in California. The other day we had some over night showers that brightened many a smile in my neighborhood. I have been itching to break out my fall wardrobe, wedges, boots, scarves and sweaters. My body has been slowing down seeking the comfort of my bed earlier in the day. Needless to say, I was ready for the Equinox. I made an important date with myself to chill out and do less, crawl in to bed early and just be in celebration of its arrival.

My beauty routine changes during the cooler months. I find myself exfoliating more. Drinking more of my beauty elixir and applying warmed coconut oil to my skin especially my lips. It's been harder to stick to eating clean this last week. I have been on the hunt for foods that keep me full and are more hearty. I feel ready for hibernation, but I'm not a forest creature.

Do you notice how your body changes when the seasons change? How do you stick to a healthier way of life when the cooler months hit. It's easy to fall into not so wise choices as we prepare to "fall back."


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

It's The Yum: Pumpkin Pie Smoothie



I love pumpkins! I love their look and their taste. To me there is something magical about pumpkins. Maybe it's the whole Cinderella tie in or just when I see them I know my favorite time of year has arrived. Plus we are that much closer to Halloween.

I thought sharing my pumpkin pie smoothie recipe would be a great hump day post. This recipe was inspired by a posting I saw on greatist.com. I altered it a smidge to suit what I had in the house and to save me some calories.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
1 frozen banana
1 half can of canned pumpkin
2 cups homemade almond milk
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 teaspoon of tumeric
2 teaspoon of cinnamon
a squeeze of agave nectar
1 teaspoon of PB2

This was a hit at my house. It kept me pretty satisfied this morning  and has great flavor . Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A vitamin C magnesium, fiber and essential fatty acids. Plus, they are jam packed with antioxidants. Magnesium is great for you skin, fine lines in particular but the major plus side to magnesium is that is will really battle breakouts. Combined with fiber magnesium and the antioxidants in this smoothie will really work great for a flawless complexion.

Enjoy this magical pumpkin smoothie!

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Blissful Beauty Elixir











I pretty much stopped drinking coffee about 6 months ago. I was noticing that coffee really was not doing anything for me or my energy level. I was still feeling tired and come 3 pm I would have a major coffee crash. My skin was also feeling tired, dry and lacking all sorts of luster. I made a change for the better with my beauty elixir.

1 hot cup of water
1 slice of lemon 
few sprinkles of cinnamon 
few sprinkles of tumeric
a few sprinkles of grated ginger

Not only does this elixir taste way great its also good for you. Many people sip hot water and lemon each morning to jump start their bodies natural cleaning properties. Hot water with lemon is also very helpful to:

balance out pH levels
help with digestion issues
hydrate our lymph systems
give our immune systems a boost
clear up your skin


I have added herbs and roots to this morning ritual not only does it make it even tastier but there are tons of health benefits too:

Cinnamon is a great herb to help with arthritis relief, acts as an anti inflammatory and anti bacterial agent as well as regulates blood sugar.

Tumeric is helpful in fat metabolism and can help with weight management. Tumeric is also a natural detoxifier for your liver. Tumeric is also a  very powerful anti inflammatory herb.

Ginger root is awesome for digestion, it can reduce pain and inflammation as well as, prevent colds and flus, relieve migraines and menstrual cramps.

What I found was that it was not really coffee I required in the morning as part of my day as much as it was me needing to take in something warm into my body each morning. Switching my morning ritual from coffee to my beauty elixir has been something I really needed. Not only did I slim down from omitting the creamer and sweetener in my cup each day, my skin looks amazing. Literally its been glowing and I get even more compliments on it. I don't have the 3 pm coffee crash, I'm actually able to stay up later at night with out feeling too exhausted. I don't munch in between clients as much as I used to,  the lemon and cinnamon really help me regulate my blood sugar. I sip this elixir all day and I feel quiet satisfied.

Do you think you could put down the coffee and mix up your own elixir?


Monday, September 8, 2014

Full Moon Ritual- Intention Setting


I was out for a walk tonight under this last full moon of the Summer. A Harvest Super Moon. It was bright and beautiful. As I walked I took a little bit of time to reflect on whats going on in my world. What has happened during these last few weeks of Summer and what I'd like to see happen in the early Fall. There was a crispness in the air. I was bundled up, moon gazing. Feeling lucky and excited for a new approaching season.

What would you like to start this Autumn? Any intentions that need setting, goals that need reaching, magic that needs making? The time to start those tasks is now. Take a moment and make a list of things you want to manifest. Believe you can do it and get it done.


September Self Care








Schedules get so busy when September rolls around. How are you caring for yourself?

I think September is all about Self Care. What does Self Care mean to you? To me self care is the practice of putting into practice things that I NEED to do to care for myself and make sure there is balance in my life.

September is a great month to start implementing these rituals. Before you know it the even busier holiday schedules will be rolling around and we will be wishing we had started carving out time and making these important dates with ourselves.


Don't know where to begin with self care? Want to take some time to make it happen but where do you start? Here are some handy dandy suggestions.  Print and hang on your fridge, add in some ideas of your own and make September all about self care. I'll  be back next month with another calendar to give you some  inspiration.





Sunday, September 7, 2014

Fabulous Fall Skin










It's that time of year again. Days grow shorter, weather gets colder and for most of us our skin feels these effects.

When the weather changes and we start dressing for colder weather many people forget to still care for their skin. This is a huge no- no. Your skin is your largest organ and should always be maintained to keep it healthy and glowing. Here are a few ideas on things you can add to your healthy well beautiful skin routine.

-Keep hydrated. Just because its getting chillier outside does not mean you should skimp on your water  intake. A great calculation to determine your water intake is the following

Take your body weight and divide that number by two.
Divide that number by eight. 

Your answer its the approximate amount of 8 ounce glasses of water you should be drinking every day. 
If you lead a very physical lifestyle, working out etc you can add an additional two glasses of water into your final answer above.

Be sure to stay hydrated but don't over do it on the water intake. Water just like all healthy life style habits is about moderation. You don't want to be out of balance with water levels.

- Switch up your cleanser. Using a soapy gel based cleanser can leave your body feeling stripped of moisture during the Fall. Going soap free and switching up to a creamy body wash to scrub up can leave your feeling and looking its best. 

- Protect your hands and lips. Seek out a fabulous lip balm and a fantastic hand cream. These are two hand bag must haves for myself. I love having soft kissable lips and as a massage and skin care therapist I pride myself on my always soft hands. 

-Exfoliate I can never stress enough the importance of exfoliating your skin. Exfoliating sloughs off dead dry skin cells, revealing fresh skin. It will also help you with circulation and waking up your lymph system . I recommend exfoliating during your morning shower to increase lymph drainage. An oil based scrub is always a great way to go during the colder months.

Here is a quick DIY body scrub you can make at home.

Hello Autumn Body Scrub

1/ 2 cup of coffee grounds
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup carrier oil (olive, grape seed, kukui oil, sweet almond, avacado)
6-8 drops of clove essential oil
6-8 drops of  myrrh essential oil 
6-8  drops of sandalwood essential oil




Monday, September 1, 2014

Begin Again...



                                                         
September has always been a time for beginnings for me. Maybe its because I always loved school, but there is a freshness to Septembers energy. It motivates me. It inspires me. It has me thinking of reunions, reinvention and reinvestment.

On today the first day of September I am reinvesting my time here
on Absolutely Blissed. I have spent a big chunk of the Summer working on myself, my business and my family. It's past time to spread that energy here.

Life is about to get very busy. Children are back in school, Fall sports are starting up and the days will be getting shorter soon enough. Do you have a self care plan lined up this Fall? How will you be caring for the most important person in your life ... you?

I have been on a self care regime lately that has really been paying off. Eating clean and taking time to walk an hour every day is really changing my whole attitude and energy level.

Here are a few other self care ideas in case you need some new ideas:

-bubble bath.
-meditate
-wake up 30 minutes sooner, so you don't feel rushed
-schedule quiet time for you everyday
-enjoy a cup of tea
-get a massage or facial
-treat yourself (a new shirt, an ice cream cone, a lip gloss)
-unplug before 9 pm
- get  into bed by 9pm one day a week
-keep a journal
-make something
-dance around your living room to your favorite playlist

These are little things I have done in the past to take time out for myself. Making time for ourselves helps to create balance in our lives. When we are balanced our lives flow.


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Serenity - A Practice

photo card Reiki Techniques 
How fitting right? I was going through my reiki cards today looking letting my fingers guide me to the work I need today. Low and behold Serenity. I tell ya there's magick in the air. This Reiki Technique is called -

Hado Meiso Ho

Say what? It's a breathing technique to improve the functioning of your immune system. It also helps detoxify your blood and tissues. This technique can also help you to come into a deep meditation.

How do you Hado Meiso Ho?
Well here's the skinny on this serenity breathing.

Sit down with your eyes closed. reach your hands up towards the sky in a funnel shape. Once you begin to fill the energy fill your hands, fan you arms out to the side of your body until they are parallel with the ground. Have your palms face downward. Bend each elbow with your hands moving in towards your body finger tips touching.Palms still facing the ground. On your out breath release a haa and push your hands down toward the ground.On the in breath fan your hands out to the side of your body and up in a circular motion. your hands should meet at your forehead fingertips touching palms facing your body.  Next move your hands slowly down the front of your body as far as you can go. all the while breathing out the haa sound. Repeat 5-6 times.

While you are breathing out picture your haa breath washing over you while you let go of resentment, anger and other awful ideas that cloud our egos and congest us with negativity. On your in breath, breath in goodness, benevolence, and joy.







Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Mermaid Life


I just love me a bubble bath. Slipping into hot scented bubbles turning down the lights and turning on some mellow tunes, is the life I'm all about. The Mermaid Life,
 I like to call it. My life is busy. I'm a parent, a business owner, a daughter, sister, and  a friend. Often my own self care gets pushed to the way side. This is an issue I am always trying to remedy. Of all of the activities that fill my work and personal calendar, I am always sure to keep one appointment on the books. My Sunday night bubble bath. It's become my ritual. I love rituals they fill my life with whimsy, balance and a little bit of magic.

I don't just soak in a bubble bath to pamper myself, although if I'm being honest that is reason enough. I take bubble baths because they are good for you.

Bubble baths can:

Soften your skin
Induce relaxation
Provide relief for sore muscles
Increase blood flow
Help to induce a peaceful nights sleep.

I add a little bit of everything to my bath. From essential oils, sea salts, and also homemade bath teas. I like to think of my appointment with myself as bubble bath extravaganza.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes.

Mommy Needs Some Beauty Sleep Bath -
has it been a long day, week, month? maybe this time change has you wrecked? This is the bath for you.

a handful of dried lavendar or chamomile flowers
10 drops of lavendar essential oil
10 drops of rose essential oil
5 drops of peru balsam essential oil

Achy Breaky Body Bath -
too many downward dogs, one too many miles on the track, or your feet are killing you from power shopping... soak this up.

 2 handfuls of epsom salts
 10 drops of camphor essential oil
 10 drops of geranium essential oil
 5 drops of ginger essential oil

* this bath is very effective after a  work out or after you receive body work. when you work out or get body work your muscles get toned. this toning will release lactic acid that can leave you feeling achy for a few days. i find this bath very effective in helping with the process of flushing your body free of the lactic acid. wanna step that flush up? drink a large glass of ice cold water with lemon while in the tub.

Time To Be Queen Bath
because you know you are.

5 cups of  Vitamin D milk
1/3 cup of honey
5 drops of patchouli essential oil
5 drops of sandalwood essential oil
4 drops ylang ylang

*milk baths are great to soften your skin because of the lactic acid in milk.make sure you soak and rinse. do not clean yourself with the milk as its not soap.

Bliss Tox Bath
because sometimes we go overboard on the weekend.

one handful of epsom salts
one half cup of baking soda
5 drops of peppermint essential oil
2 drops lavendar essential oil
2 drops ginger essential oil

Date Night Bubble Bath
soften and scent your skin for a good old time, a roll in the hay? well that's totally up to you.

2 teaspoons of avacado oil
5 drops clove essential oil
5 drops rose essential oil
3 drops jasmine essential oil

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Serenity


I love energy work. It ups my vibration. Keeps me buzzing and open to receive the chi all around me. I find it also helps me to really tune in when I am giving to a client. Something I have been doing a little while is referring to these beautiful little magic cards I picked up. They are called The Witchlings by Paulina Cassidy. Each little witchling has a beautiful magick lesson to share. I have found these teachings to be very timely as I select one card to focus on each Tuesday. This evening I wanted to share with you my magick lesson.This week I will be focusing on serenity.

Serenity -the spirit of serenity brings calmness to the connectivity of all that is.

I find this card to be very on point for me this week. I have been under a little storm cloud. Home sick with a little guy, under a mountain of busy work I keep pushing away.  I have had some time to think and ponder the ideas that are swirling in my head. Things have been out of balance for me a few weeks and I feel I am getting to where I need to be. I consciously made a decision to make a change and now I need to focus on the impact of this change. I removed a distraction from my life that was unnecessary even before I selected this card this evening. Pulling this card to me emphasizes that I am where I should be on my path, and I am feeling at peace with it. I feel calm about it all. And being calm is a great place to be.

Finding serenity in all will be what I am focused on this week. Forgiving myself, not taking things so literally and just accepting whatever the day, each day throws at me.



 

Spring Time & Your Skin





Spring has just about sprung... is your skin ready? With the weather warming up and people everywhere shedding their coats and winter layers, you can believe that more skin will be showing.Your skin is your largest organ. Keeping up on it's up keep is so important. Your skin is responsible for 1/4 of your body's detoxification process.  Here are a few tips on what to do to get that glorious glow on.


1. Drink water- Our water intake lessens during the winter months. Water is your skin's best friend. Keep it on hand and stay hydrated. Your skin will love you for it.

2. Exfoliate - I mentioned in an earlier post the importance of keeping your skin exfoliated. Not only does your skin on your face need to be exfoliated so does your entire body. A  fantastic way to exfoliate all over your body is by dry brushing. Dry brushing the skin helps to shed dead skin cells.This may improve the texture and appearance of your skin. Dry brushing can also tighten your skin, increase the blood flow, lymph flow and increase circulation. All of these things are great big snaps for a fabulous glow.

3. Moisturize- Keeping your skin moisturized is so important. We often tend to apply less creams and butters during the Winter season, leaving us scaly and dry. Stock up on moisturizers and slather them on all over. Don't forget your elbows and heels of your feet.

4. Get a facial- If you do not have a skin care therapist that you work with regularly, the beginning of Spring is a great reason to find one in your community and begin a beautiful relationship. Your  Esthetician will guide you on a skin care regimen that will shine a light your skin, work with you on areas that you are concerned about, and keep you looking your best. Many specialize on many different services.

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Aromatherapy!







The term “aromatherapy massage” refers to a popular method of relaxation and healing following a set of effective massage techniques.  Tracing back time, ancient peoples made use of different types of natural oils extracted from the plants and herbs they believed assisted in healing.   It is well known today that this method promotes mental, physical, and emotional relief. The secret to the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage is due to the aroma of the different essential oils used.   While each essential oil has different healing properties, the oils used in aromatherapy massage activate the nerve endings in the nose and which in turn deliver the impulses to the brain, stimulating memories and emotions. Many common aromatherapy oils, like lavender, have a soothing and calming effect which aids in relaxation

.Some documented benefits of aromatherapy massage are:
 Aids in fighting off the symptoms   of illnesses.
 Relieves stress.
 Tones down attacks of depression.
 Promotes sound sleeping. 
 Helps discomfort in pregnant women. 
 Helps fight off colds. 
 Contributes to a person's alertness. 
 Alleviates pain.

I use aromatherapy in my every day life. In practice and in my home aromatherapy  relieves muscle aches, head aches, it helps to induce sleep on a little person that won't agree to bed time. I very rarely reach for an aspirin. If I have a headache or pain anywhere in my body I reach for my collection of essential oils and use natural remedies to heal my body. 

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Stretch, It's Important

Stretching is important. Many of us live sedentary lives. Commuting, sitting at a desk all day and then another long commute. By the time we get home many of us are feel achy just from a day on the job. Even if you don't work out or your not an athlete, stretching can still help you feel better. Stretching helps improve your flexibility, improve your blood flow and even improve your posture by lengthening  your muscles.  Stretching will keep your muscles and tendons healthy. We often overlook it but stretching can make a real difference in how you feel each and everyday. 


A  stretching routine will help you improve range of motion and as said before improve your flexibility. Take a few moments and look up some stretches on line, download a stretching app on your smart phone or take a look at my facebook page where I post a stretch of the day. Set a timer for once an hour and take a few minutes to do some basic stretching. If you sit at a desk all day get up and move around as much as possible. Take a walk around your office space and  do a few lunges.Your muscles will love you for it. 

Saturday, February 15, 2014

The Mercury Retrograde: In Full Effect




This week my streams of communication have been all haywire. The culprit I have to thank... The Mercury retrograde!

What is it you may ask? 
Mercury retrograde is when Mercury the planet that rules communication spins backward in the universe.This can and often does cause many a melodrama in people's lives. 

I'm a Gemini Mercury is my ruling planet. The Mercury retrograde that happens sometimes 3-4 times a year has always and continues to cause mischief in my life.

Messages are not being sent through. I'm not getting emails or texts. People I usually have no problem communicating with are not picking up what I'm putting down. Oh my! This is a few weeks of craziness. 
If you are struggling with the Mercury retrograde take heart friend, you are not the only one. 


How I'm getting through:

Taking it easy- I'm not rushing through anything
Don't commit- to a contract, a promise, a person 

Take everything with a grain of salt-
People can be salty during a mercury retrograde. Know it's the universe spinning them backward and it's probably not their intention to behave that way towards you.

Take care of yourself - when things get hectic with lost communication it can stress us out. Take a moment to breathe deeply - from your core. 
Take a power nap or get to bed early
Beauty sleep is always a tool I use when I'm feeling overwhelmed
Eat a meal full of greens and protein
My quick go to is two scrambled eggs two handfuls of kale and mushrooms. I eat this often. Scramble all together like a little skillet and enjoy.

Watch your flow- what energy are you vibrating out? You want to be mindful that you are not sending mixed signals or pushing people away

reflect, reinvent,  rewrite, resolve, reform - I'm not saying dwell. I'm saying maybe just maybe you need to rethink on some things and if there are some things you need to clear up then do so but tread lightly. Communication is tricky now.

Although this is a chaotic time its also a time in the universe filled with energy and excitement. Take things in trust your intuition it might be a little extra sensitive.

Shine- brightly when things go haywire be a little beacon of light for yourself and the people you encounter. 

Mercury goes retrograde three times this year.
February  6-28th
June 7-30th June 7th is my birthday.I will be on a cruise to celebrate- YIKES!
October 4-24th 

Mark your calendars!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Ritual : Full Moon Intention


Each month when the moon is full I set intentions on what I want to create in my life. I have found this to be incredibly powerful. I make a short list of what I want to manifest and bring into my world. I think its helpful to keep the list short and do-able. Writing it down is a way to bring forth my own personal energy to those intentions and helps me to harness exactly what I want to come in. I keep this list available for me to see everyday. I also write them down in my day planner on the day of the full moon. I believe deeply that the universe wants to give you what you ask for.You just need to ask for it.  I check in on my list a few times a month to see where we are. If the universe and I are syncing at the end of the month.

Sometimes  I set an intention that  has not presented itself to me just yet. That can be discouraging but I really don't let it bother me too much. Everything is a work in progress, including myself and my intentions. It will present in the time its meant to. in divine timing.

This month on this Valentines full moon I set the intention to bring in:

 Love-  because we all need more of it. More hugs from friends, more kisses from my sons. I also want to make sure I am giving more love to the people in my world. Sending a friend a text to let them know I appreciate them.

Happiness- I was feeling down in the dumps for a couple of weeks. I really checked myself recently and thought this is not the way to be. You must create happiness and choose to be happy each day. You will live with yourself your whole life. Forgive yourself if you must and just be happy. Technically, after much consideration I have nothing to forgive myself for most recently but I still want to make sure I ask for it so it showers down on me in everything I do.

Healing- Life is full of boo boos. We get knocked down by big things and by small things that we never thought would harm us. But they can and they do. Often, you need to be the person that kisses your own boo boo and give yourself permission to heal. I'm setting time aside as much as possible this month to take time out for me.Practice yoga, meditate, perform reiki on myself, chant, eat clean, journal and sleep.

Do you set intentions often? Try doing so when the universe is full and bright with the full moon energy and see what magic and change come your way.

Love You!


Happy Valentines Day to you. I wanted to take a minute and write a little love note. For everything you do. Make sure you take a moment and pat yourself on the back. Do something that makes your heart sing. Only you know the song of your life. Sing it loud and without hesitation. Do what you need to honor yourself on this day full  of love. It maybe a Hallmark holiday to some but, the intention of love is everywhere it's in the air. Breath it in. Swallow it whole and let it fill you. Let that energy flow seep out to others today. And then except that energy that flows back to you.

Namaste Valentine :)

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Get Glowing










It's  just about Spring. Time to get glowing there is no better way then with a salt scrub. Salt scrubs help to keep your skin clear of impurities and nourished. After a long bundled up Winter you wanna show off some skin. I know during the Winter my skin is very lack luster and drab. I am always slathering on lotions ,creams and oils. What I learned awhile back is that a salt scrub will remove blah dead skin and reveal lush glowing skin worthy of some sun rays! 

Making and blending salt scrubs is what I do. Both at home and in the stdio in practice salt scrubs are a way of life for me. I always invest in quality sea salts and essential oils. I will occasionally add in a few secret ingredients my Be Blissed salt scrubs will leave your skin, relaxed, nourished and glowing. Don't just pile on lotions and oils,  scrub your skin and renew a fresher you. 

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Why I love massage



I'm often asked during sessions or when I'm out and about how I came to be a massage therapist. 

Once a long while ago I received work from a young lady. She was younger than me at the time of our meeting. I found her to be so inspiring. The way she spoke - her light, her way of being. Each time I came home from a session with her I felt very different.

 Her work rumbled something in me. It tugged at me. It massaged the idea of how this very non traditional type of work could invoke such  happiness in another person. I could only imagine how it must have made the therapist feel.

 I learned a lot about myself from my sessions.

 I enrolled in classes at the Berkeley Psychic Institute. I learned to ground myself- how to disconnect from energy paths that my spirit found harmful and how to tap into my intuition. I learned about meditation, and chanting and how these practices help to feed your spirit. Soon there after I enrolled in massage school at the National Holistic Institute and put my foot down on a path of becoming a massage therapist and health educator.  

Long before my meeting that therapist I had discovered aromatherapy . I used to practice it as a teenager carrying around a little lotion I concocted with peppermint, sage and lemon essential oils I would apply it on my temples if  I had a headache or if I was overwhelmed with the stress of high school politics. This natural healing I discovered worked for me and I very reach for an aspirin when I had an ache or pain.

The marriage of these three non traditional pathways lead me to a career and gift I am so very proud of. Massage is my passion. I love it! I could not ever see myself doing anything else. When I'm  not in the studio working I am often reading about body work. How to change a stroke up, experimenting with how to go deeper into a body and sometimes if the energy is right beyond that with energy work. Massage is not pampering, massage is medicine. One of the most ancient forms of it. In this country its very often overlooked as a luxury. I attempt to transcend that mindset when I work with clients.

Massage is a part of my everyday life. I love creating a space for people to come- relax and release. I love creating space in a persons body and in their spirit. I often hear the things that are troubling my clients. Most times they share but often it's felt in the energy that is exchanged while they are on the table. If they are sleeping well, if they are bogged down by bigger problems. Many times clients have broken down and cried over whatever issue is hurting them. I love being able to create a space and energy they can be vulnerable and feel what they need to feel in that moment of receiving... It's a powerful healing if you allow it to be.

I often hear -
Michelle, I don't even need to tell you where the tension is your hands just glide there.
Michelle, your work is so different it's a healing I receive when I'm here.
Michelle, I have been looking forward to seeing you all week.

Thank you. I do focus on intuitive work, it is healing it's not your basic cookie cutter massage. 

Thank you. I love being the high light of so many people's day. That's a blessing to receive that type of gratitude, over and over again. Not everyone can say that about their job. My work is greeted with a smile.

All of these things and more of what I hear further reinforce that I am doing what I was meant to do. Massage is my gift. Combined with the other modalities I practice . This work always fills me up. I love what I do and that in its self is its very own gift as my passion, talent and gift is what  I'm so appreciated for. Sharing my love for wellness and body work along with energy work and skin care makes me happy. I'm always pleased to greet a client and place my hands on them. Thank you for sharing yourself with me.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Well Hi There!








Hello! Hola! And all that jazz welcome to absolutely blissed! I am so pleased you are here. Please stop stay awhile and see what develops! Let me tell you a little more about little old me. I'm a licensed massage therapist and esthetician. I''m a health educator and an advocate for wellness. I practice reiki, read tarot  I live a positive life style. I rarely get out of bed without reading my horoscope... I like to take a glimpse and what maybe coming at me. For the most part I'm gluten free however,  that's been tricky to stick with since December 1. But I'm getting back on it. My life is ritual based. Everything I do seems to have a ritual attached to it. Some would say I'm a creature of habit. Others would say I'm a little OCD. I like to say ritual. It sounds way more lovely and whimsical and magical. I think every life should be filled with love, whimsy and magic. Massage and body work is my passion. I'm also a sucker for a great lip gloss and inviting cosmetics counter.I'm a girlie girl. I love to stop and smell the lotions at Victoria's Secret and the flowers in the park.  Here at absolutely blissed  you will pick up fabulous tips and tricks to care for your body, wellness and beauty. You will also find a comforting ritual or two. Thanks for stopping by!