BODY BALMS, OILS & SELF-MASSAGE.

By now you are probably feeling dry all over and your skin is screaming for some extra oil.  
Indoor heating, extra layers of clothing... same story every winter. 
You can slap some oil on just to improve the skin hydration 
or, I have a better idea.
A bit more involving but a whole lot more rewarding:)

body and face oils in Ottawa

You will need:
a natural bristle brush
oil or body balm (preferably specific to your body type and needs... I can help you with this) 
and about 20minutes of your time.
Best to practice in the morning... it is invigorating and will make you feel all tingly.
Start with the dry brush:

run it up your body starting with the feet and legs, hands and arms and the rest.
it is not brain surgery... simple upward or circular strokes will do.
Do not be too rough. gentle does it!
You can jump in the shower when you are done
or use a warm damp cloth to wipe of the loose dead skin cells still lingering on.
You are ready for a self massage now.
Warmed up oil feels amazing and works great on dry skin.
Drop a small bottle of oil into hot water, wait few minutes and there you have it.
Start with your head, working down all the way to your toes. Be generous with the oil... it is good for you.
Take your time, massage gently and increase the pressure to what feels right for you.
Self massage or Abhyanga in sanskrit is a daily Ayurvedic practice. 
'Aba' means glow and Anga means 'limbs'.
Benefits of daily Abhyanga : improved sleep, well nourished tissues, healthy skin...
If you do it daily your skin will be very happy and it will feel like a baby's bottom and that's a promise.
If you would like to indulge in an organic handcrafted body oil here is more info.
Not to brag but my latest Cardamon Rose Body Balm is luxurious and smells divine.

WOMAN DIVINE AND MY BELOVED OILS FEATURED IN THE OTTAWA CITIZEN.

Woman Divine's Magdalena Tomczak unveils the power of oil

JANET WILSONMore from Janet Wilson

Published on: November 5, 2014Last Updated: November 6, 2014 4:26 PM EST

Magdalena Tomczak, owner of Woman Divine, makes her own skincare line depending on the person's skin type.

Jean Levac / Ottawa Citizen

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Magdalena Tomczak looks intently at my face, scanning for blemishes while running her fingertips across my cheekbones and forehead. I nod when she asks whether I have a headache.

“I can see it on your face, the stress around your eyes,” says the holistic skin therapist and aromatherapist. “For each client, I make an individual blend from my staples based on what is appropriate, based on your skin on any given day.”

Tomczak plucks ingredients — her handmade concoctions in pretty glass bottles of varying sizes — from a nearby counter to use in my face massage. She is a master at judging skin types and curtailing the treatment to fix any issue.

“Vegetable oils and essential oils are very effective skin remedies and form the base of the majority of organic skincare products you find on the market today.

“They definitely are indispensable in my practice,” says Tomczak, whose welcoming Westboro spa is called Woman Divine (womandivine.ca).

As the cold weather sets in, I’m here to get a lesson on oils.

Growing up in Poland, Tomczak says it was not uncommon for her mother to get monthly half-hour face massages.

“Sadly, training in North America focuses more on product application than massage.”

“It is an old European remedy for aging skin and has played a prominent role in the Eastern practice of Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Face massage is the No. 1 aging preventative technique,” she says.

Nutrient-rich oils provide a pleasing lubrication during a face massage and hydration for those with dry skin.

Tomczak says massage helps to carry the oils with all of their benefits deep into the skin. With so many skincare products to choose from, she recommends you keep it simple and purchase only quality products or even make your own.

“It is good to get creams from someone who knows what they are doing. Base oil on its own is a great way to start and has plenty to offer. If you want to make your own concoction for every teaspoon of vegetable oil, only add a few drops of essential oil.”

In recent years, argan oil has been hailed as liquid gold and a miracle cure for a host of skin conditions. It has also spelled big business for the beauty industry. Rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, pure argan oil (harvested from the nut of an argania spinosa tree) was used by Moroccan women to hydrate their skin and to fight the effects of the relentless desert sun. It is said to reduce inflammation, minimize wrinkles and treat acne.

Tomczak began practising holistic skincare in 1996 and opened her business in 2008, merging her background in massage therapy, aromatherapy, herbal medicine and nutrition.

For my treatment, she used a gentle blend of “solar-infused” chamomile flowers in jojoba oil with a touch of argan oil to treat my slightly sensitive skin.

She explained that her flower concoction was made over a period of eight weeks with exposure to the sun and moonlight and stirred daily.

“Chamomile is soothing for both the skin and the nervous system. Since you have mentioned you were stressed, I felt this would be a nice one to use. The chamomile flowers I used are from a local organic herb grower and a lovely lady — Judy of Judy’s Organic Herbs. Both the jojoba and argan oils are organic cold-pressed and unrefined, keeping things simple, effective and beautiful.

“A lot of love goes into making infusions like this one.”

Before purchasing essential oils, Tomczak recommends checking labels for the Latin name and meaning and choosing oils made from organic or wild-crafted plants.

“There are often many species of the same plant. Oils produced from each species are different in their biochemical composition, which determines the healing properties of each oil.”

One of her favourite ingredients is organic sunflower oil from Les Huiles d’Amérique, a farm outside of Montreal.

RELATED

• Area farmers supply vitamin rich organic sunflower oil to skin experts

“I use this oil in my treatments and in few of my formulas. It is one of the ingredients in my face balm. I also use it in my kitchen. It is very tasty.”

Another item she says everyone should own is a silk pillow, which keeps the face fresh and aids in your sleep. “Cotton tugs and sucks the moisture from the delicate skin on your face and neck.

“When you think of the health of your skin, remember that your body has basic needs: good food, sleep, fresh air and exercise. We need to be kind to ourselves.”

THE ART OF OILS WORKSHOP

What: Magdalena Tomczak explores oils and shows how to select the ones that are right for you.

When & where: Dec. 1, 6 p.m.
Woman Divine, 351 Churchill Ave. N.

Price: $20, 613-216-7676 or email info@womandivine.ca

Magdalena Tomczak offers custom-tailored essential and vegetable oil formulas designed for the face, body, hair, feet, hands or bath.

Jean Levac / Ottawa Citizen

Oils

1. Vegetable oil

Yes, you could cook with it. Oils pressed from unrefined and organic seeds and nuts, such as argan, sunflower and camellia, have been used on the skin around the world for centuries and have been picking up steam in North America over the past decade. “Oil is full of vitamins A, E, D and K as well as essential fatty acids.”

2. Essential oils

Known as the most concentrated form of herbal medicine, essential oils are produced by the process of distillation to get the essence of the plants. Essential oils offer impressive healing possibilities in skincare in balancing, regenerating, astringent, antiseptic and soothing action and protection of the skin, Tomczak says. “Some of the most lovely oils for the skin and for skin-cell regeneration are carrot oil and frankincense.”

Oils & skin types

DRY SKIN

Base oil: Rose hip, argan

Essential oil: Carrot seed, rosewood

COMBO SKIN (dry and oily)

Base oil: Sunflower, jojoba, camilla

Essential oil: Chamomile, ylang ylang

OILY SKIN

Base oil: Grape seed oil, jojoba

Essential oil: Lavender, rosemary

Area farmers supply vitamin rich organic sunflower oil to skin experts

FACE YOGA & THE PRACTICE OF MINDFUL BEAUTY WORKSHOP

Your face is magic... complex and dynamic, it tells your story, communicates your emotions and connects you to the world around you.

Its beauty runs way deeper than ‘perfect’ features and the care it requires is different from that of the latest cream.

Your face is asking you to pay attention.

The Face Yoga workshop is an innovative offering to teach you how to lovingly, confidently and with purpose care for yourself by harnessing the wisdom of your face.

No need ever again to fall for the ‘latest and bestest’ in skin care. No need to feel intimidated or to attempt to fit into the existing model of beauty.

The Face Yoga workshop will give you tools to practice beauty mindfully according to your very personal needs.

It will empower, inspire and motivate you to love your face, claim your beauty and to wear it with grace and confidence.

The creator of Face Yoga workshop:

Magdalena Tomczak is a holistic skin care therapist and owner of Woman Divine.

Magdalena’s busy practice spans over 20 years and it focuses solely on the treatments for the face. In her work Magdalena draws on an eclectic background in massage therapy, nutrition, herbal medicine, aromatherapy and a great love for Eastern health and beauty practices, Ayurveda in particular.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LESIA.

Lesia Maruschak the founder of Cure: Blood Cancer  is the gracious host and organizer of our upcoming From Garden to Face workshop. 

Lesia Maruschak foundar of Cure: Blood Cancer Foundation

Lesia is one special lady! She runs marathons, paints icons and travels the world to study iconography with Masters. She is also a natural alchemist, mixing lotions and potions for her friends and family. The potion part is what really connected Lesia and I... actually there is more but this was the initial link. We talk products and recipes and compare notes. Hence the workshop collaboration. Lesia has a special gift for understanding colours and scents. You notice immediately when you hear her talk as she uses interesting language to describe them... beautiful. 
Before blood cancer showed up on Lesia's life path, she had a fancy job... this girl is very, very smart. A well balanced mix of a creative spirit and strong mind, nowadays Lesia has been putting her talents to work through her Cure: Blood Cancer foundation. This year she was presented with a Governor General's Caring Canadian Award for her contributions to her community. 
In short Lesia Maruschak is pretty amazing and an incredible inspiration. I consider myself very lucky to know her.
If you happen to participate in our From Garden to Face Workshop  make sure to have a chat with Lesia: you will see what I mean. 

GLOW AN URBAN RETREAT FOR WOMEN

It is coming up at the end of this month!

Join Donna Davis, Alexa Spas and myself for this fun educational and inspirational Sunday afternoon retreat. We will eat good food, drink amazing freshly pressed juices, play with raw skin care and do some yoga.

Lots of good learning and great goodies to bring home:)

REGISTER HERE

Need more info? Contact me at info@womandivine.ca or call at 613 2167676

REGISTRATION CLOSED. Thank you:)

Tired of looking for a perfect skin care product? Make your own and have fun doing it!

Last Saturday I was in Almonte, hanging out with an amazing group of women from the Rising Sun Yoga Studio.  As Pure As It Can Be Workshop in action... we were playing in a lovely kitchen making our very own, all pure, healthy and natural beauty products. 

It feels very good, getting together with a group of women sharing wisdom, interests and a good laugh.   

We made some cool products to take home. Hopefully this is just the beginning and everyone is inspired to create more. 

This is what some of the women said about their experience.

I really enjoyed your presentation and what you do is of great interest to me also. It's funny, you reminded me of when I was a little girl and I used to go into the kitchen, the garden and my mother's cosmetics and experiment with making my own lotions and potions...

I love all of the products we made. I believe it is so important for women to share and support each other as you are with your business! 

Leigh

Amazing and simple.

Angelina

Loved every minute!

Jennifer

Everything was so well organized and presented beautifully.

Mary

Thank you Almonte Rising Sun Yoga I had an amazing time with you!

Magdalena

If you are interested in hosting one of my workshops or would like to join the next available one or simply would like more info, contact me at info@womandivine.ca or by phone: 613 2167676

For the love of essential oils - Sweet Orange

The scent of orange has uplifting qualities; sweet, fresh, cheerful light and fruity.

Perfect for the 'end of winter blues'.

Think... refreshing aroma of an orange peel.

The essential oil of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) is perfect to improve your mood.

Spray some in your room - mix 15 drops of orange essential oil and distilled water (fill up) in a small 50ml - 100ml spritz bottle.

If used in massage, Sweet Orange essential oil will not only uplift but it will also stimulate lymphatic flow and move fluids (good for cellulite), calm your nervous system, help relax the muscles and stimulate the digestive system.

In skin care I use it sometimes in my bespoke blends for oily skin but be cautious, it can be irritating to the delicate skin of your face.

*Do not apply before sun exposure... it can make your skin photosensitive.

Definitely a great oil to have for the grey, slow days...:)

Sweet & sensuous vanilla body oil.

It is my daughter Carollyne who turned me on to vanilla ... she loves the scent. Last Christmas I gave her a bottle of hand-crafted (by my own hands) vanilla infused jojoba oil as a gift. I must say as I was preparing this infusion a few weeks before Christmas, I developed a bit of a love affair with it myself. 

I am putting together a new batch and it will be ready in about 4 weeks. Some of it will be available as simple vanilla in jojoba body oil and part of it will serve as a base for more complex formulations.

Vanilla body oil by Woman Divine

Vanilla is a member of the Orchid family. It is valued for its aphrodisiac qualities and you will often find it as an ingredient in sensual body oils and perfume.  Vanilla is believed to stimulate the release of serotonin which triggers feelings of arousal and satisfaction. An idea for Valentine's night... actually any night. 

Vanilla body oil by Woman Divine

Sweet smelling Vanilla is also beautifully soothing and calming for the nervous system. For this purpose it works great in body oils.
If you wish to make your own Vanilla infused oil please use organically sourced vanilla seedpods and carrier oil.
How to infuse vanilla into jojoba oil?
3 organic vanilla pods
l cup of organic jojoba oil
Cut up vanilla pods into small pieces place in the amber glass and cover it with oil.
Place on the window sill and let it infuse for the next 3-4 weeks.
Strain and you are ready to go.
If you like a softer scent, you can always dilute it using more jojoba oil.

If you are not the kind to play with making stuff but would like to have a bottle of organic, beautifully sensuous and relaxing vanilla infused body oil, my batch is brewing as we speak. I will let you know when it is ready... in about four weeks.

This week's intention.

A few drops of oil and two hands, close your eyes, stroke your face kindly with an upward movement... take your time... move slowly noticing both softness and tension under your fingers. Breathe as you go .. in... peace and quiet...  out... stress and tension. Once this week... no thinking just feeling... a moment with yourself:)
Magdalena xo

Face Your Inner Reflection Workshop with Magdalena.

Workshop Woman Divine

 
I am very very excited about this one! It has been in the making for a very long time. This workshop is based on the work of some really cool people and my own 20 plus years' practical experience and observations. I hope you join us:) Registration starts next week at Woman Divine. You will be able to book the workshop online or you may email me at info@womandivine.ca or call 613 2167676; whichever is the easiest.

FACE – YOUR INNER REFLECTION WORKSHOP

Face - Your Inner Reflection Workshop has been created out of the desire to deepen the awareness of the dynamic nature and beauty of your face.

Its intended outcome is an enhanced connection to self and the world around you as well as a greater appreciation of living in your own skin.

You will:

· Revisit your own definition of Beauty

· Explore your face as the map of your Being

· Learn practical tools to relax into your beauty

· Connect to your own feminine wisdom

What you need for this workshop:

Wear comfortable clothing

Bring a yoga mat or a blanket

Bring 1-2 photos of yourself with your favorite facial expression

If you like taking notes bring pen and paper

When: November 10^th 10am - 12:30pm

Where: 1^st Floor 351 Churchill Ave. N. Ottawa (downstairs from Woman Divine)

Fee: $45

Space is limited to nine participants.

Crudessence, Tiramisu and French Lesson #1.

My version of raw Tiramisu from Crudessence.

I discovered CRUDESSENCE, the Montreal based raw food restaurant about two years ago; love at first sight... I have discovered their amazing Tiramisu a couple of months ago... I will be sharing the recipe with you so read on.  Crudessence Academy (yes, there is an academy as well) offers interesting courses and I will be taking some in the near future. Yep, that's wright! I love everything about them.
If you are my client you already know that I wholeheartedly believe beauty does not come from a tube of the latest skin care product. In my opinion food we eat forms the base for a healthy body and healthy skin. I am always eager to broaden my nutritional knowledge for my own good but also so I can be a better support to you...
Now, back to Tiramisu; a lot of people expressed they would like the recipe and I myself wanted it badly. This is what happened...
Crudessence has a 'cookbook' and the Tiramisu recipe is in it. Naturally I got the book. Here is the trick, the book is in French and I do not know how to speak the 'language of love'. So with this book I am not only learning how to make Tiramisu but also I am getting a French lesson.
I have learned English by listening to the lyrics of songs. It looks like I will be learning French from a 'cookbook'. I am totally up for it... Thus French lesson #1...
A little note about the book; it is beautiful with lots of delicious recipes and wonderful photography.
It is a fresh and vibrant invitation to raw food exploration:)) Just as a book about live food ought to be. If you can, get it!

 

 

The famous Tiramisu by Crudessence.

OK, lets get to work...

 

You will need:

Almonds, cashews, espresso coffee, dates, agave nectar, cocoa powder, coconut oil, soy lecithin, vanilla extract(without alcohol), agar, sea salt, water.

The recipe is given in stages and in each stage the amount of ingredients is specified.

I have used my food processor for all the mixing. It worked great.

Tiramisu by Crudessence - the recipe.

Night before

Soak ½ cup of almonds for 8 hours.

In another container, infuse 1tsp ground espresso in ¼ cup of water for 8 hours.

The day of

Soak ½ cup of cashews in a fridge for 4 hours.

Rinse the cashews and almonds very well and pour out the water from the soak.

Filter the coffee / keep the infusion and discard the grinds.

Make almond milk with the soaked almonds and 2 cups of water.

How to make almond milk for this recipe?

Place the 1/2 cup of soaked and drained almonds and 2 cups of purified water in a blender. Blend for couple of minutes. Strain through nut milk bag or cheesecloth.

The cake

In a bowl mix: 1 ¼ cup of ground almonds, 1/3 cup of date paste, 1tsp of vanilla extract (without alcohol),  1/8tsp of sea salt, 2Tbsp of coconut oil and 2Tbsp of almond milk. Mix well. Distribute the mixture at the bottom of a cake pan (8 inch in diameter).  Put in the freezer while you are preparing the Mocha layer.

How to make a date paste?

2 ½ cups of dates and 1½ cups of water.  Make sure dates are covered with water and soak for 2 hours. Put the dates and water in a food processor and blend.

*This is way too much for our recipe, you will need only a bit. However it will keep good in the fridge for a long time so you may use the rest in other recipes.

Mocha layer

Mix the following ingredients with a mixer: 1 1/2Tbsp of date paste, 2Tbsp of agave nectar, 1½ Tbsp of cacao powder, 2¼ tsp vanilla extract (without alcohol), 1/8tsp sea salt, 2Tbsp of coconut oil, 1 ½ tsp of soya lecithin.

Next add coffee and ½ cup of almond milk to these ingredients and mix well.

In a pan mix 2Tbsp of water with ¾tsp Agar. Bring to simmer stirring frequently. In the meantime take the cake out of the fridge. Once agar/water is brought to simmer remove from the stove and wait 2 min. After 2 min. blend the agar/water mixture with the mocha layer (turn few times). Immediately pour the mocha layer onto the cake and place it back in the freezer.

Top layer

Rinse the cashews and pour out the water.

With a mixer blend the following: ½ cup of cashews, 1/3 cup of coconut oil, ½ cup of water, 2Tbsp agave nectar, ½tsp vanilla extract (without alcohol), 1/8tsp of sea salt, 2 ¼tsp soy lecithin add 1 cup of almond milk and mix until creamy.

Take the cake out of the freezer and make sure that the mocha layer has solidified before putting the icing on top. 

Place back in the freezer for 2 more hours.

Dust with cacao powder before serving.

Voila, enjoy:))


Dessert does not have to be a guilt ridden pleasure. This one is delicious and full of precious nutrients. Do not eat the whole thing in one sitting though. I know, it is going to be very tempting... .


Tiramisu will keep in a fridge for 10 days and for 4 months in your freezer in a sealed container.

The recipe is easy to make but requires good organizing like it is with many raw food dishes. Definitely worth your time...

Thank you CRUDESSENCE! I can not wait to try more of your awesome recipes. My family and I will keep on translating your beautiful book but I do hope one day you will come out with an English version:)) Merci Beaucoup,

Magdalena