Greetings Everyone! Summer's almost here in Maine. The garden is finally planted (that is . . . if the crows will stop stealing my winter squash seeds)! I've had to replant the squash rows 3x already! This morning I applied cayenne pepper powder over the soil and installed rows of string tied with shiny yellow flapping ribbons to hopefully scare them away. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. With all of my gardening work, I find that I don't need to do my regular "structured exercises" anymore and my "winter flabbiness" is firming up! That's a good thing! Hope all of you are getting in shape, as well. Today, is the last in the "Natural Cellulite Treatment" series (I think), and I will share with you a herbal bath treatment recipe that you can do at home to help tone and tighten water-logged skin tissue - works great on jiggly thighs! Please give it a try. Herbal Anti-Cellulite Bath Treatment NOTE: Avoid using this formula is you have kidney problems, are epileptic or pregnant. The base oil, plus the rosemary and lavender essential oils in this formula pamper and condition your skin, while the juniper, cypress, grapefruit, and atlas cedar essential oils exert a diuretic action, helping to reduce water retention. The salt aids in toxin elimination and muscle relaxation. Ingredients: 2 teaspoons almond, avocado, soybean, jojoba, or sesame oil base oil 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon vodka, gin, or rum (80-proof) 2 drops juniper essential oil 2 drops cypress essential oil 2 drops atlas cedar essential oil 3 drops grapefruit essential oil 2 drops lavender essential oil 3 drops rosemary (chemotype linalol) essential oil (this the the most skin-friendly rosemary) 1/2 cup Epsom salt To Prepare The Bath: Blend the base oil of choice, honey, and alcohol, and essential oils in a small bowl. Set aside. Start the water running in the tub and add the salt; stir it around until dissolved. When the tub is full, pour in the oily mixture and swish around with your hands to blend. To Use: Soak for approximately 20 minutes. With your hands, massage the cellulite-afflicted areas while you are soaking to help break down fatty deposits. Then get out and briskly dry your skin using a thickly napped towel. Follow up with an application of body lotion or body oil to which you have added one drop of each of the essential oils in the ingredient list. You may partake of this bath up to 3 time per week. Yield: 1 treatment In the next blog, I'll be discussing an important summertime skin care topic relating to sun exposure. Until then . . . be well and enjoy the warm temps! NOTE: This blog was written by Stephanie Tourles and adapted from one of her many books, "Naturally Healthy Skin", Storey Publishing, 1999. The information is true and complete to the best of her knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the Ms. Tourles. She disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. It is for educational purposes only.