DAILY PLEASURES
jas
POSTED: Sat, 01/23/2010 - 10:11am
Daily Rituals
What daily or weekly rituals do you do that give you pleasure? Mireille quotes Valery in the beginning of the book, "...Doesn't the least observant woman -about-town look upon the implementation and ritual progress of a meal as a liturgical prescription? Isn't all of civilization apparent in these careful preparations, which consecrate the spirit's triumph over a raging appetite?"MIREILLE'S CALENDAR
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Ava
POSTED: Wed, 01/25/2012 - 9:35am
Lemons
Having read your successes recently on using lemons; I thought I'd give it a go. I have to say, it's worked a treat and my skin feels and looks brighter and clearer. I've also started using E45 cream which gives a good healthy glow whilst moisturising really well (and is so much cheaper than the Clarins beauty flash balm I ususally use!)snorklee
POSTED: Sun, 03/18/2012 - 12:08pm
Lemon...
Hi Ava, I'm glad you tried the lemon. I've been using it now for a while, and have had great results. All the sun spots and discolorations that I've accumulated over the years are fading, if not gone completely! I'm starting to use lemon on the backs of my hands now, to see if the sun spots will fade there too. The other day I was talking to a woman who had tried botox for her wrinkles, and she asked me how old I was. When I said 56, she was amazed, and said, "But you don't have any wrinkles!" She is 58, and looks beautiful, but was unhappy with injecting botox into her body. I told her about the lemon. I think she will try it. I looked up E45, and I'm going to try that too. We will be a good looking group of women, by sharing all these skin care tips. I'm so grateful for this thread. :)miamoki
POSTED: Sun, 03/18/2012 - 2:24pm
Please share the lemon trick!
I went through the older posts and wasn't able to find where you mentioned what you do with the lemons? I'm always looking for natural ways to help the skin. I refuse to do botox. I want to age gracefully!snorklee
POSTED: Sun, 03/18/2012 - 11:53pm
Lemon magic...
Hi miamoki, I found the article on this website, so I'll copy and paste the info here...The only thing I do different is that I don't leave the lemon juice on my face for 10 minutes. It burns, so I rinse it off after a few minutes.Here's the info...
"Lemon is fantastic for our skin. The natural fruit acids gently remove dead skin cells and lighten age spots, unwanted freckles and facial discolorations. The acidity zaps oiliness and cleans our pores without stripping the skin of its natural oil balance.
Homemade Astringent: All you need is fresh squeezed lemon juice. Dab onto a cotton ball and apply to face (or simply run a slice of lemon over your face) each morning. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse. For especially dark age spots, place a slice of lemon directly onto the spot and let sit for 10 minutes. Repeat daily for about one week.
Homemade Exfoliant: Slice a lemon in half and dip into granulated sugar. Rub vigorously on rough patches of skin, especially the feet, elbows, and kneecaps."
miamoki
POSTED: Tue, 03/20/2012 - 2:07am
Thanks!
I'll definitely have to try that! I will have to try the exfoliation one on my feet since I'm in sandals almost all year, my feet tend to take a beating. LindaMrsHonniB
POSTED: Mon, 03/19/2012 - 5:08am
Lemon
I squeeze a half a lemon out in the morning to drink with a cup of water and rub the inside of the peel gently over my face, leave it there till I had my breakfast, take my shower and put on my lotion and daycreme, garnier. I'll use it on my hands too from now on! Thanks for the advice on that!Ava
POSTED: Sun, 03/18/2012 - 1:41pm
Hi all,
I must try the lemon on the hands! That's a great idea. Using it on my face seems to work (along with the cream). Another cream people are using (and is supposedly good, though I've not yet tried it myself is Sudocrem (ok, so it's for babies but if it does the job!) ... especially if you have odd blemish or breakout. I also use Germolene for the same thing). My fencing coach couldn't believe it when I mentioned that I am 40 this year! I told him my body must be telling me I'm hitting middle age though (dodgy knee, memory of a fish etc LOL).The E45 is a Dermatological cream ... and considering the price, does a great job! No fancy packaging or delicious scent but a useful addition to daily skincare.
Marilyn
POSTED: Sun, 03/18/2012 - 9:57am
E45
I use that too Ava. The cream at night and the lotion during the day. The only thing is once the lotion has sunk in I use my L'Oreal day cream as it has a SPF whereas the E45 has not.snorklee
POSTED: Sun, 03/18/2012 - 12:02pm
E45
I looked for the E45 cream online, because I've never seen it. Is it the E45 Dermatological cream? I'd love to try it. It sounds wonderful.Marilyn
POSTED: Mon, 03/19/2012 - 3:45pm
E45
That's the one Deb. The lotion is lighter than the cream.bren67
POSTED: Mon, 01/23/2012 - 4:34pm
Redoing wall photos...
I went last week and got a few new frames,to put family photos in on the wall..since my children are all grown,and two of them are married,and have children..i thought it was time i redone my photo wall,that includes there marriages,and there children in the groups..it will take a few tries to get them all done and put back up on the wall,but it will look more up to date! BrenVintage1944
POSTED: Mon, 01/23/2012 - 5:11pm
Hi Bren
You will be so happy with the outcome of your project.Have fun!OXOsnorklee
POSTED: Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:33pm
Putting things back in perspective
First: re-reading FWDGF. I seem to have forgotten all of it. :) Second: For right now... more sleep, more water, more movement... and putting into action the 50% solution. This morning I made a great 2 egg omelet with uncured rosemary sausage, brie, grape tomatoes and small cured olives. Then.... I cut it in half, ate one half for breakfast and I'm putting the rest in my lunch for work. Good food, half as much. If I only do that for this year, I'll feel like I've made some progress. Happy New Year!jas
POSTED: Mon, 01/09/2012 - 11:09am
Deb
I think you are too hard on yourself. Jas (notice all the things you do well, and how simply conscious and aware you are)vickie2
POSTED: Tue, 01/03/2012 - 3:57pm
I know how you feel....
I pull out the books often and re-read certain parts. One of the things that I am working on for 2012 is to slow down. I find that I fall back into bad habits when I am rushing around all of the time. My life is busy with work and family, but when I get home, I need to constantly remind myself to take a deep breath, relax, and allow myself to sit down and enjoy my dinner with my family. Anyway, I like your goals of more sleep, more water, more movement and the 50% solution :)Elizabeth G
POSTED: Wed, 01/04/2012 - 9:22pm
My workday is unpredictable...
So I rely on a few rituals in the morning and most especially evening/bedtime rituals. I'm right there with you on the need to remind myself to relax, slow down... I realize that my family likes it better when I'm pleasant and relaxed and yet perhaps not especially productive, vs. on edge, in a rush, and getting a hundred things accomplished. And I like myself better too!Elizabeth G
POSTED: Sat, 12/31/2011 - 10:36pm
2012: the return of the healthy, luxurious daily rituals
I'm guilty of making, and promptly breaking, all kinds of lofty New Year's Resolutions. I plan this year instead to incorporate habits from the past that I've let drop, but that I know make me feel healthier and better about myself. Home-prepared meals with fresh, in-season ingredients ("slow food" if you will); stretching daily so my muscles don't get that tight, bunched up feeling; meditating or even just slowing down and remembering to breathe deeply as a stress reliever. Frantic and stressed is out, relaxed and poised is the goal. Happy new year, everyone!Vintage1944
POSTED: Tue, 01/03/2012 - 12:25pm
Question?
First I want to say I agree with you and love your ideas/plans.My question...why do we (many,many of us)drop rituals,habits,plans that are good for us?What do you think?OXOkit
POSTED: Mon, 01/09/2012 - 1:00am
Hi Jas and Jean,
I liked reading your discussion, excellent question and answer. One I've asked myself soooo many times over the years and decades. In my case I think I get lazy and feel I don't deserve to reap the benefits of doing what is "good for me". Heaven knows I could keep a psychologist in business all by myself--why don't I deserve etc,etc. No one can motivate me except me. A daily struggle. But I am trying daily to do what I resolved at New Year's. I am not saying yes to everyone and every request without thinking things through. "I'll get back to you on that..." And trying to be brave, not constantly thinking the worst case scenario all the time. I've dusted off the weights and machine in the garage and so far sticking to it. But we'll see, not very far into 2012. One day at a time. We can do it, we are strong women! And if we fall or fail, we will pull each other up and back into the game, mes amis! xoxoVintage1944
POSTED: Mon, 01/09/2012 - 8:09pm
My Dear French Sister
The cart is before the horse....that is ;you don't believe you deserve it ,so you back off.It has nothing to do with being lazy.I know,truly I do,exactly how you feel.That has been my battle for years.You are right only you can motivate yourself.And vicious circle that we live,we come back to that mean little voice that says"You don't deserve it."And yes we can do it and we will support each other.We do deserve it and we must decide that for ourselves.OXOkit
POSTED: Tue, 01/10/2012 - 1:49am
Thank you Jean,
I agree, the mean little voice is always hovering nearby, ready to douse the flames of ambition. And Lord knows, I can conjure up a million excuses. This time, I'm not setting goals. I'm trying to experience the feelings that come from a particular activity,like lifting weights, doing sit ups,etc. Our bodies were designed to move,walk,lift heavy things when needed. Of course it's easier to curl up on the sofa and sometimes that's what I need too. But for today, I reached a little higher. After a $%@&*! day at work, I still took the 4 flights to my car instead of the elevator. Oprah once had a show about "camping", not actual camping but where we are headed in life. Either camping(status quo,not venturing higher) or climbing(striving for more). Climb on dear friend, I am with you!!xojas
POSTED: Tue, 01/03/2012 - 12:35pm
good question jean
I don't really know, here is just what comes to me about why we drop rituals habits...that are good for us. * They aren't specific enough * they aren't realistic for our daily, functional life * we haven't done the necessary ground work to make them stick * life is what life is, sometimes the best laid plans... I have to say I'm doing pretty good on my rituals. I just need them and enjoy them so much that when i don't do them I miss them. So the benefit of doing them outweigh the sometimes difficulty in doing them. What do you think?Vintage1944
POSTED: Tue, 01/03/2012 - 1:38pm
Happy New Year Jas
All good answers,I think.I am going to look at my rituals in that light and see what shows up.Thanks.OXObren67
POSTED: Tue, 01/03/2012 - 11:23am
Very good idea!
I too am into home cooking,and streching,but i also love to walk..so i walk a mile everyday too..makes me feel so good! Brenjas
POSTED: Sun, 01/01/2012 - 10:55am
rituals
I love the word "luxurious" such a wonderfully juicy word. My New years resolutions are to "Build on my Strenghts" (instead of always focusing on my weaknesses or what I need to improve) and also to allow more joy into my life.blondetaz
POSTED: Tue, 09/06/2011 - 10:48pm
Tisane
One of my favorite daily rituals is to make a pot of herbal tea at night. My favorites are peppermint tea and hibiscus tea. It's so soothing before I go to bed.annii50
POSTED: Sun, 03/18/2012 - 9:51am
rituals
I think I will add your tea at night ritual to my ritual and make it all the more enjoyable. My husband usually heads off to bed around 8:30pm and then it is ahhhh me time! I get all ready for bed get in my comfy jammies and plug in the tv series "The Office" starring Steve Carell. I find it so funny that I laugh out loud all by myself. It is relaxing and puts me in a great mood just before bed, erases the problems and negative thoughts of the day. But I think a cup of peppermint tea will be the icing on the cake! Thank you.kit
POSTED: Tue, 01/10/2012 - 11:36am
Tea time
Lately, herbal tea is my new ritual just before bed. Relaxing just writing about it!:)Amundy
POSTED: Tue, 09/06/2011 - 4:14pm
My rituals
In the mornings now that my baby is older I wake up before she does and have some time to myself. AM: 1)wake up my face with lemon slices or cucumber slices and rince with cold water. 2)A leisurly breakfast and stretches 3)dishes 4)open all the blinds (and windows if its nice). (My favorite is mornings after a night rain, it smells so fresh) 5)make my daughters bottle and proceed with her morning routine. 6)some kind of excercise and then a shower 7)brush teeth, floss, mouth wash. I love the feeling of clean teeth and mouth, a weird pleasure, but my pleasure all the same. 8)moisturize body evenings have their own rituals for each day. My favorite weekend rituals are going for a family walk, then my husband watches the kids and I have a sauna, then a bubble bath (Belle Ame products - very highly recommended) while listening to diferent jazz or mellow music. Thank you for sharing all of your daily rituals! <3jas
POSTED: Fri, 02/05/2010 - 10:46am
Rituals daily and occasional
My daily rituals are similar to others, Like Danielle I also like dry brushing and cold showers. Putting on my makeup has become a fun, self nurturing thing, somehow it especially tickles me to put make up on just for myself, when I probably won't even see anyone that day. Last night I did one of my old favorite rituals, I call it, "A no-electricity night" I was overwhelmed with chores yesterday (see "I need help" section) finally realized I needed to rest, then resting flowed into lighting all the candles at 5pm (there are a lot of candles in my house) and deciding not to turn on any electricity that night. When I do this is sometimes is hard to adjust the first hour...but then I sink into my chair, my thoughts, the fireplace and just being. It is so relaxing and I feel like I get in harmony with nature, I always sleep so well after doing this and usually go to bed early.