February Foot Love!

As the pandemic continues on, it would be a great time to share some foot pampering ideas that will help you get through the chilly days of winter. Being a Reflexology Practitioner, I have seen a lot of feet, and many of those need a little TLC in the cold weather.

Before trying any of the recipes below, always do a skin patch test 12 hours prior to using to check for any allergies or skin sensitivities. It is a good idea to make up the recipes prior to trying them out; maybe make them up in the morning and then by days end do the unwinding routine of pampering. Also, use 100% pure essential oils as they do not have any added perfume in them. Pure essential oils are very concentrated so only a few drops are needed.

So put on some nice soft music, light a few candles, and take a few deep relaxing breaths and begin with:

MINT LEMON FOOT SOAK

1 cup Epsom salts

zest of 1 fresh lemon and some peelings to add more colour

4 drops of Lemon Essential Oil

3 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

Put all ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Transfer to a glass jar with a screw band lid and label. To use, put 2 to 3 Tbsp of the soak in warm water of a basin or large flat botton bowl and soak feet for 10 to 15 minutes. Mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 month. After soaking, dry feet with a soft, fluffy towel.

Trim toenails at this point. Straight across is best, and lightly file the corners. If you have an ingrown toenail, gently pull up the corner of the nail with a birch stick and put a bit of cotton (from a swab) under the nail to ease the pressure on the skin while the nail grows out. You can use a callus paddle or pumice stone for any roughness on the bottom of feet or toes. Don’t slough off too much as the area can become irritated. Do a little at a time and keep checking for smoothness. Next comes the scrub, this will help with any roughness as well.

CINNAMON ORANGE SCRUB

2 tsp ground ginger

2-3 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil (you can add zest of an orange for colour)

1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1 cup sea salt or Pink Himalayan salt

1 cup olive oil (or oil of your choice)

Mix all ingredients until blended and put in a glass jar with a screw band and lid and label it. Apply about 2 Tbsp per foot and gently massage in. Don’t work it up the leg as it may cause irritation. Mixture can be stored in the fridge up to 2 months. Using a warm, wet facecloth, gently remove scrub until it is gone. Pat feet dry with a fluffy towel.

Lotion is the next step to help keep feet nice and smooth. Obviously it would be best if you have someone massage the lotion in for you, but if not, that’s okay. Massage with purposeful strokes and pressure. Don’t forget to add a little harder pressure and some squeezes to the toe area, it will make them feel good.

SHEA-OLIVE OIL LOTION

2 Tbsp 100% Shea butter

2 Tbsp coconut oil (or oil of your choice, I used Persian Lime olive oil)

1 Tbsp Sweet Almond Oil

5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (Peppermint Oil is cooling and helps with tired, achy feet)

Combine ingredients in a double boiler and heat over medium low heat until warmed a bit, just until mixable. You don’t want to heat Essential Oils as it affects their volatility. Apply 1 to 2 tsp per foot and massage in. Store in a glass jar with a screw band lid up to 3 months in a dark place, maybe a kitchen cupboard (not in the bathroom). Don’t forget to label it!

Of course you can add or delete any of the scents to your liking. I encourage you to play with different scents and oils to create your own unique combination. Now once you have finished your pampering routine, get a good, hot cup of tea or cocoa and a book to curl up with and enjoy the rest of your day!

If you have any questions or have any ideas that you would like to share, please send me an email. I’d love to hear from you! Happy pampering! Sandra