Consider a tzatziki facial this summer

While summer is the favourite time of the year for most Canadians, those with a pitta (fire) constitution enter their most challenging season. With the additional heat, they are most likely to be become off-balance with discomforts ranging from skin rashes, sunburns, chaffing, irritable temps, and excess acidity associated to digestion. As a pitta woman dealing with hot flashes, summer can by a trying is own unique set of experiences.

Some of you may also experience dry skin because of an underlying heat disbalance. Treat the heat first. At any rate, the recipes below will attend to both the heat and dryness, but the foot bath and the floral waters need to be preceded or followed by a moisturizer.

Of course, there are many options to correct all of those, including nutrition and yogic breaths. But there are also fun, yummy was of soothing the pitta constitution from the outside.

Consider treating yourself to any or a combination of the following:

v  a tzatziki facial
v  a lassi compress (neck, forehead, heart area and eyes)
v  a lukewarm peppermint tea footbath
v  a massage with monoi with birch and bergamot essential oils
v  a spray of chamomile and lavender floral water along the spine or all around
v  and of course, a Face to Grace pitta moisturizer or sunscreen.

RECIPES:

Tzatziki

Consider the following recipe below and keep about a table spoon for your facial. Of course, if you have time, go in the shower or in the tub and spread on your whole body and leave on for 3 to 11 minutes and rinse.


For the facial
Seasonings for the edible version
·         3 tbsp. olive oil

·         1 cup yogurt

·         1/2 cup sour cream

·         2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and diced

·         1 tsp. chopped fresh dill

·         1 tbsp. vinegar

·         2 cloves garlic, minced finely

·         1/2 tsp. salt

·         1/4 tsp. white pepper




Lassi

Compresses can be used for many conditions and can be cooling or warming. Try this edible, spreadable delight to relieve extra heat. Your skin will love it too! Leave on for 11 minutes.

For the compress
Seasonings for the edible version
·         3/4 cups yogourt

·         ½ mango

·         ¼ tsp. rosewater

·         1 tbsp maple syrup or honey

·         a sprinkle of nutmeg

·         a sprinkle of cardamom

·         a pinch of salt



Peppermint tea

Since you are preparing for a foot bath, simmer (DON’T BOIL) 4 litres of water with 4 pouches of peppermint tea; cool to desired temperature, poor into a rectangular bucket. Soak your feet for 11 minutes while you meditate or listen to the birds or your favourite calming music.

Massage oil

Monoi is a wonderful cooling oil from Tahiti, a maceration of their national flower, the tiare, in coconut oil. The tiare is a member of the jasmine family and the maceration is done in the sun.

Add 2 drops of birch and bergamot essential oil to 2 or 3 Tbsp of monoi or coconut oil. (Small quantity of pure monoi available at Face to Grace).

These recipes are fabulous during heat waves, especially for seniors and babies who are sensitive to heat. FOR BABIES under 2 years old, avoid essential oils. Drink LOTS of water.