You know what I love? A rainy day. To me they are the ultimate day of relaxation and perfect opportunity for self care. Being self employed and a single mom I rarely get a chance to partake in a lazy rainy day... but when the opportunity arises I dive in.

Sleep in

You know what’s delicious? Lounging in your warm comfy sheets listening to the rain fall outside the window, it’s one of life’s simplest and delicious pleasures.

Sip a healing tea cocktail

I like to maximize my tea time by “cocktailing” my cup. Hibiscus tea for cardiovascular health, ginger tea for digestion, and milk thistle for detoxing. There are so many combos just open your tea drawer and mix and match.

Journal

I can’t turn my brain off... it’s a Gemini trait. I’m always thinking, creating, deciding and having an ever going conversation with myself. It can obviously be mentally draining. I find writing down what I’m thinking can take it out of my head space and take it off my mental plate. I keep a journal of dreams I’ve had, poetry lines I’ve crafted for that book I’ll some day write, wellness ideas recipes and rituals for that other book I’ll someday write filled with all my thoughts. It’s said when you think of something it’s divine interaction, don’t down play that... thoughts come to us for a reason, capture them.

Pray

To whom ever is your God, your goddess, your creator. Mines is The Lord. What better time to take a moment and open your heart and let it all out. A good soul purge can leave you feeling light. When the rain comes to wash away the outside let its cleaning energy with the same magic on your inside. It’s a mindset. Find it.

Dance 

Turn on music that moves you and move your body. Take in the energy of The Universe and sway like the wind that pushes at the rain. It doesn’t have to be a cardio- pump session, it can be slow ,sensual rock. Wanna up the ante? Not scared to get a little wet, take it outside, with out the umbrella, barefoot. Feel your toes connect to the wet grass or pavement. Ground yourself to the earth and allow the rain to cleanse all things that are weighing you down. Let that heavy energy wash into the earth, sway and shake it off. Allow this simple moment of pleasure reset your spirit and your body. Breath in the clean wet air, let it fill you up, set the intention that at that moment you reset your day, your week , your life.

Wonderful Winter Skin

Winter is coming. Is your skin ready?

 Chances are it's not. Once the season changes and the air gets colder we really need to amp up our skin care regimens.

One of the most important things to do this Winter for your skin is to stay hydrated. This is the time of year that people drink less water leaving their skin thirsty and dry. We also have a way of over doing it with sweets and treats not to mention the booze. These holiday extras can leave our skin feeling less than wonderful. 

Need some motivation? Hot water with lemon is my go to cold weather tool. Not only does it keep me hydrated it helps to flush my body of excess water that adds on holiday bloat. So soak up some water, your skin will thank you.

Find a creamy cleanser. The cold air strips our skin of its natural moisture. A thicker creamier cleanser will coat your skin sealing moisture in.

Can't find a creamy cleanser you love? Get a cleanser packed with Vitamin C & AHA's. It brightens naturally and is great for an all over winter glow. My personal favorite is the Arbonne RE 9 daily cleanser.

Grab a facial oil. Remember what I said about sealing in moisture? This is the same idea behind a facial oil. Highly hydrating, deep penetrating bliss. Need a suggestion? 

Arbonne facial oil from the Arbonne Intelligence line. Personal favorite in and outside of the studio.

Invest in a probiotic.

Your gut and your skin are closely related. Because your skin is your largest organ it can be temperamental and reactive to your diet. It's the season of merriment and fun and it's also the season of people being lazy bones so we are a little extra relaxed when it comes to watching what we are eating and burning it off. No movement and a poor diet can lead to sluggish bowels and that can lead to breakouts, lots of them. Eating clean and moving will help. Adding on a probiotic is great tool for every season skin care. Arbonne Digestion Plus is my go to.

Pump the breaks on over exfoliating. I see a lot of over processed skin these days. Everyone is trying out a DIY treatment or two or four they have seen on the internet. What does that lead to? Over processed not happy skin. 

While it's fun to try out these yogurt honey pepper peels or what ever you are seeing online please leave the heavy stuff to the pros. Scrubbing your skin with an apricot scrub 7 days a week is doing way more harm than good trust me.

Don't forget  your smooch! Lips take a beating this time of year. Cold air ...chapped lips. Here is a DIY I can get behind.

1 teaspoon of coconut oil

1/4  teaspoon table sugar

2-3 couple of drops of vitamin e 

2-6  couple of drops of your favorite essential oil or oils to make a blend  

mix in a bowl rub on your lips 

rinse and pat dry repeat twice a week

You can store this mixture in a tupperware and even make a big batch and give out as gifts in cute jars.

Invest in proper professional treatment and quality skin care. Give your skin the gift of reinvention by booking a treatment with your local skin therapist and buying good products. I always say your skin is one of your most important investments. You are going to be looking at your face for the rest of your life as so is everyone else so take care of it. www.absoluteblissskinspastudio.com

Shop this post at http://michellecastro.arbonne.com

A Return To Autumn

My all time favorite season is Autumn. I love when the days get shorter and the nights get cooler. I can often be found snuggled up in bed ready for an early nights sleep as the evening approaches. One thing I dislike about Autumn is the inevitable slow down that my body has as it arrives. Once I start seeing pumpkins arriving in the markets I know it's bulk up season. Which, isn't going to work for me. How am I planning on maintaining myself for these next few cold months.

Here are some of my plans

- Cut back on carbs. This is a tough one because in all honesty I'm a carbophile. But smart swaps can help. Zoodles instead of pasta. Butter lettuce leaves instead of bread for burgers and sandwiches.

- Go meatless one - two nights a week. I love my slow cooker this time of year but I plan on opting in for a few meatless salads and veggie heavy meals this season.

- More greens less fruit for my smoothies.

- Hot lemon water... Mix in a little bit of almond milk, cinnamon and skip those PSL's 

- Move my butt! The time to recommit to myself is now. Pump up the cardio, get a few more miles in as possible a week, challenge myself.

- Eggs they are eggcellent. I love making a frittata loaded with veggies on Sunday evening this gives me an easy lunch option during the week.

- Green juice. Mix a batch in the morning and stay sipping all day. Favorites to add

Sweet greens

Ginger 

Cucumber

Peppers

Lemon

Paprika 

That right there is a recipe for sweet success.

Self Care

September is one of my favorite months. September is the time that I always mentally reset. It's a time of new beginnings and routines. It's also the perfect time to recommit to self care. 

One of my favorite things to do to care for myself is unplug and have a regular bedtime. Your body and skin need sleep. I'm a firm believer in Gabrielle Bernstein's idea that sleep is also a spiritual practice. When you are running on a low frequency from lack of steady sleep and other energetic disturbances it really will start to show in your appearance. Unplug and get some zzz's. 

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

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. 

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. 

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!

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. 

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.

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!