Thursday Thirteen - 13 Tips for a Romantic Bath

1. Rose Petals
2. One of the most common symbols for romance, the rose is not only a beautiful addition to your bath water and/or bath area it is delightfully fragrant as well.
3. Bubble Bath
   Bubble bath comes in so many varieties it can be hard to choose the right one. If you know your partner has a special favorite, use that one. If not, try something a little creative like bubble bath in a champagne bottle.
4. Mood Music
   Initiate a romantic environment with a little calm and relaxing mood music. Many stores offer nature or mood themed music. Pick out a CD that will help you create the exact mood you desire.
5. Candlelight
   Restore that healthy glow with a liberal sprinkling of candlelight. Tea lights are easy to use, make little mess and are easy to throw away once cooled. Don't place candles where you may splash water on them.
6. Bath Loofah or Accessories
   Why not give each other the ultimate bath and spa experience with a little skin pampering? Go shopping together and pick out a few fun bath products in a scent you both love
7.  Skin Care  Take care of each others' skin and try new exfoliants or other skin improving products.

7.     Hair Care Give each other a complete hair washing, including combing out their hair during the conditioning process

8.     Champagne
Celebrate your time together with a romantic toast. Use this couple time to renew promises or vows with each other. Or, just revel in actually having couple time.

9. Try a fun, sensual bath game.
10. Warm, Fluffy Towels
    Put your towels in the dryer for a few minutes for a warm and toasty after-bath treat.
    Take turns drying each other off for a more intimate experience.
11. Mood Inviting Bath Soak
    Bath soaks are usually a blend of ingredients you add to your bath water to create a desired effect, such as a sore muscle soak, stress-easing soak or relaxation soak. Most bath and body and drug stores carry bath soak products.
12. Privacy
    A romantic moment is easily ruined with unwanted disruptions. Arrange your water play encounter at a time when you can be together alone. A great way to do this and create the perfect memorable night is staying at hotel with a spa or Jacuzzi tub in your room.  
13. Shower Power When you don't have time to take a nice bubble bath with your partner, opt for a nice, hot, candlelit shower with incense and music. This is wonderful for mornings because it refreshes the mind for the day.

Massage  Don't let the romance stop after the bath. Give each other a light, lotion-laden massage.

Fitness Friday - Private Spa

Top athletes will submit to a post work out soak in a tub filled with cold water.

 

During strenuous 2-A-Days my football players will add ice to the tub!  Brrrrrrr….not my thing!

A friend told me about a different kind of soak that works on aching muscles from a work out as well as a good detox.  Basically, a spa treatment in your own bathroom.

Draw a bath, as hot as you can stand.  

Add 1-2 cup of Epsom salts, 5-10 drops of lavender or peppermint oil, and just before you get into the water add a 1-2 cups of baking soda. Have a bottle of water handy to drink from. A 20 minute soak is great for muscles!  

I did this and felt like I could run a mile after. She explained the Epsom salts contain magnesium that is absorbed into your body to ease pain and inflammation. The salt and heat of the water draw out toxins while the baking soda neutralizes said toxins so they won’t return to your body.  As for the scented oil… that’s a bit of aroma therapy to relax your mind and soul.

 

If you have a cold, flu or some sort of but try a complete detox.  Add 1 tsp -1/3 cup of ground ginger or ginger tea. Try mixing lavender with some eucalyptus essential oil and add some drops to the bath. Be sure to have a drink handy.  Soak for up to 40 minutes.