The Married Woman’s Guide to Romance

You know that lingerie can help you rekindle romance in the bedroom. You’ve been told about the benefits of becoming an expert exotic dancer for your husband. But what if the lingerie has moth holes and the exotic dancer in you has lost her rhythm? Don’t despair. There are less complicated and much more successful strategies you can employ to transform your husband from roommate to playmate. These hints will help you recreate the thrilling feelings and sense of newness that all married women strive to sustain.

REDECORATE

Redecorate? Yes, redecorate. It’s time to revamp the only space that belongs to just you and your husband…the bedroom. To create a love nest for the two of you (that means just the two of you�� no kids), remove the television and unplug the telephone. Nothing kills romance faster than the 11 o’clock news or a late-night call from your mother-in-law. As well, retire any cartoon character bedding and old stuffed animals in favor of fluffy, inviting, cozy sheets and big pillows. If that doesn’t create a romantic atmosphere, pull out the sure-fire hits: candles, soft music, and a little massage oil.

LIP SERVICE

Go back to where it all began, to a time when he could make you weak in the knees. It seems that in our hectic and tired days and nights, most married couples forget the fine art of kissing. In the morning, when you come home at night or as you turn out the lights, try to do more than the perfunctory kiss. You won’t be sorry that you took the time (start out with a kiss that lasts longer than 10 seconds) to rediscover your mate’s lips.

UPDATE THE REPERTOIRE

Though the honeymooner won’t believe it, most married couples become creatures of habit in the bedroom. Well, it’s time to shake up the routine a bit. First, start by relocating. Whether you make love in the backseat of the car or on the kitchen floor, it’s time for a change of scenery. Next, try to discover new turn-on zones in each other �� make a game out of it. If that doesn’t spice things up, a little fantasy play never hurt anyone. If uniforms turn you on, don�t be afraid to rent a police or fireman�s uniform. If a cocktail waitress has always been part of his fantasy, put on that apron and play! C’mon, just use your imagination and let your inhibitions melt away!

TAKE THE TIME

Instant dinners. Instant service. We live in a world of fast food, fast cars, and high-speed Internet connections. And with multiple roles and interests (friends, family, job, and hobbies), it�s essential to nurture your marriage and put romance at the forefront of your busy schedule. First, spend most of your leisure time together. Try getting out and having fun, a laugh or an adventure together…some undivided attention can go a long way toward fostering intimacy. If you are one of those couples who are constantly pressed for time, try spending your lunch break together, showering together or grocery shopping together. Sometimes the best conversations and romantic ideas happen in the middle of the produce aisle.

SMALL STUFF, HUGE GAINS

There doesn’t have to be much planning, effort or money involved. If you’re looking for him to show more affection toward you, you must set an example. An “I love you” note cleverly placed, listening when he talks, a phone call to tell him you’re thinking about him, an unprompted hug and kiss, or setting your alarm a half-hour earlier for a morning cuddle will not only satisfy some of his emotional needs, but chances are, the benefits will be returned in kind.

Flower Petal Steam Facial

Ingredients:

2 cups water
1/2 cup fresh flower petals
Directions:

Bring the water to a boil, remove from the heat, add the flower petals and stir. Let the mixture sit for five minutes.

Lean over the pot, at least 12 inches from the surface, and drape a towel over your head to form a tent.

Close your eyes and let the steam rise over your face for five minutes.

Rinse with cool water and pat dry.

Yield: 16 ounces, enough for one facial steam treatment.

Spring Cleaning: Put Your Best Face Forward

Skin care products have come a long way over the past century. Today’s complex “cosmeceuticals”�� with their vitamins, enzymes and super acids�� are a different breed from the moisturizers and astringents that hit the market in the early 1900s. What women of 2000 dab, slather, and rub onto their faces is definitely not the cold cream our grandmothers used to use.

Yet despite the scientific advancements of skin care formulations, many women don’t bother with even the basics for their faces. We book our monthly manicures and take trips to the spa for a massage, but when it comes to treating our faces, we often think that a little soap and moisturizer will suffice.
For A Fresh Face

Here are some basic do�s and don’ts to help you face the future with healthy, youthful skin:

* Keep the sun out�� slathering on sunscreen and staying out of the sun is the best favor you can do for your skin. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15. Using a moisturizer with a built-in sunscreen is also smart.
* Balance out�� a diet chock-full of fruits, veggies and whole grains can also help reduce the harm of sun exposure. Older women may want to check with their health practitioner about the benefits of taking vitamin supplements such as selenium and vitamin E.
* Rinse out your system�� besides eating well, you should be drinking plenty of water. Try to make a habit of having eight glasses of water a day. If squeezing fresh lemon or lime juice into it will help, then do it! At the same time, cut down on your coffee/caffeine consumption. You’ll notice a marked improvement in the condition of your skin.
* Chill out�� a long week at work and a few nights of tossing and turning can definitely leave you looking worse for wear. Both stress and lack of sleep can leave your skin looking dull and sallow. In fact, both have been identified as contributing factors in adult-onset acne. Incorporate stress-busters, such as yoga, exercise, and afternoon naps into your daily regimen.
* Butt out�� ever wonder why smokers often look five to 10 years older than they actually are? Internally and externally, smoking takes a tremendous toll on the body. Elastic tissue, which keeps your skin tight and smooth, is visibly damaged by cigarette smoking.
* Toss out�� dirty, clogged makeup sponges and brushes are full of bacteria and often lead to breakouts. You should replace inexpensive cosmetic sponges often. Also, wash your makeup brushes weekly using your daily cleanser, making sure to rinse well.
* Take the grime out�� toxins, makeup, air-borne particles and pollutants should be removed from your skin using a gentle cleanser in the morning and at night. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel. Avoid harsh cleansers, astringent and abrasive scrubs�� they often hurt more than they help.

Many women enjoy facials to get their faces fresh and clean but you don�t have to pay a fortune at a salon for this treatment. Using our Flower Petal Steam Facial, you can pamper yourself in the comfort of your own home.

Winter Sunflower Soak

When added to a warm bath, sunflower seeds release their rich, natural oil, leaving your skin soft and moisturized � a great soak for the cold winter months when your skin may appear drier. A 20-minute soak in this bath will hydrate and soothe dry skin.

Hubby in the Tub
Stress and dry winter skin are just as likely to affect him as they do you. After your Winter Sunflower Soak, spend five minutes preparing a moisturizing bath for him.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup shelled, raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

Yield: 8 ounces, enough for two baths.

Preparation

1. In a coffee grinder or food processor, grind the sunflower seeds and oatmeal until you have a smooth powder that is the consistency of whole-grain flour.
2. Stir in the spices and vitamin E oil and mix well.
3. Store the mixture in an airtight container if not used right away.

The Soak

* Pour the bath soak into a warm tub of water and stir well to mix.
* After your bath, moisturize your skin while it is still damp from bathing with some sunflower oil or a rich cream.

Blissful Baths

Turn your bathtub into a bliss-filled pleasure zone!

For centuries, baths have been recognized as a luxurious method of healing and treatment. Your tub time can be about more than getting squeaky clean. You can relieve stress, enhance your energy level, treat sore muscles, and even improve your skin tone � all within the walls of your own bathtub!

It’s easy to transform your ordinary soak into an extraordinary experience and watch your stress wash down the drain. Start by setting aside one evening this week. Take the phone off the hook, retreat to your bathroom and follow these easy suggestions.

Tub Tip
Indoor heating, which dries the air in your home, can wreak havoc on your skin. Whenever possible, leave the water in your tub overnight to help humidify your home.
Relax. Before slipping into the tub, spend some time winding down. Take a short nap, curl up with a good book, or do some yoga to clear your mind.

Prepare. Do whatever it takes to create a state of bliss in your bathroom: Soothing music and scented candles can help create the perfect ambience. Be sure you have everything you need within arms’ reach before you step into the tub. The last thing you want to do is get in, get wet, and wish you had something to drink. Make some herbal tea while the tub fills up.

Massage. Spas use hydrotherapy to jump-start circulation and rid the body of toxins. In your own shower, massage your body in circular motions with a high-powered shower head. Target problem areas like your tense neck muscles, alternating the water temperature from warm to cool for maximum stimulation and relaxation.

Soak. Slip into a warm bath with two cups of simple sea salt. Sea salts are a rich source of elements like iodine, believed to “unblock” the metabolism and help treat cellulite.

Moisturize. Avoid having a bubble bath � most contain harsh ingredients that will dry your skin. Instead try an oil-based treat like our Winter Sunflower Soak.

Scrub.Moisten a cup of sea salt with water to create a sticky paste. Massage the paste into your skin in an up-and-down motion, starting at your feet and working up (avoid scrubbing your neck and breasts). Don’t be surprised if you sweat up a storm � your body will be working hard to detoxify. Rinse the paste off with warm water, vigorously towel-dry your skin, add plenty of moisturizer while your skin is still damp, and then slip into something comfortable.