CHOCOLATE SPA

 

Let’s celebrate Chocolate Month by blessing someone with the ingredients for a Chocolate Spa Day.  Cocoa butter and cocoa powder come from the cacao bean and have powerful anti-oxidant properties plus Vitamins A and E which help soothe and heal the skin.  Cocoa can be mixed with honey and spread on the body to act as a diuretic which helps release toxins from the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite, plus even the scent of chocolate releases serotonin which promotes happy feelings and reduces stress.

 

Choose ingredients from the following treatments and be sure to include the instructions for each . . .

CHOCOLATE FACIAL MASK
1/3c cocoa powder
3Tbs heavy cream
2tsp cottage cheese
1/4c honey
3tsp old fashioned oatmeal
            Mix all ingredients together using a small blender.  Smooth onto face.  Relax for 10 minutes then rinse off with warm water. 

HOT COCOA BATH
1c powdered milk
1/2c cocoa powder
1Tbs honey
2Tbs liquid soap
            Combine powdered milk and cocoa powder with 2c water, then add honey and liquid soap.  Pour into water as you fill your tub, then bath and relax or 15-20 mins.

COCOA MINT FOOT SCRUB
2Tbs grated cocoa butter
2Tbs coconut oil
1/2cup sugar
4-5 drops peppermint essential oil
            Heat cocoa butter and coconut oil until melted, then add sugar and peppermint oil.  Massage into feet and rinse with warm water or cover your feet with clean cotton socks for 15 to 20 minutes.

CHOCOLATE WALNUT BODY POLISH
1/2c raw sugar
1Tbs finely chopped walnuts
1Tbs cocoa powder
1/4c oil
            Mix together and massage into damp skin, rinse well and pat dry

COCOA BUTTER BLISS MASSAGE BARS
1/4c grated cocoa butter
1Tbs grated dark chocolate
2Tbs olive oil
1Tbs coconut oil
1Tbs grated beeswax
5-6 drops sweet orange essential oil (optional)
            Blend ingredients over low heat then add essential oil and pour into molds.  Cool until hardened, then place in freezer for a few minutes, pop out and wrap in waxed paper or plastic.  To use: Rub over skin letting the warmth of the skin melt the bar.

. . . along with a decadent chocolate tea bread!!

ORANGE CHOCOLATE TEA BREAD: Cream together 1/2c softened butter and 3/4c sugar until light and fluffy, then add 2 eggs and 1Tbs orange zest and beat well. Pour in 3/4c half-and-half and beat to combine.  Add 2c flour, 1Tbs baking powder and 1/4tsp salt to butter mixture and beat just to combine. Stir in 1/2c chopped walnuts and 4 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate.  Spoon batter into greased loaf pan and smooth top. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until top is golden. Cool in pan on rack.

 

 

“My command is this:
Love each other as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this,

that one lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:12-13