NATURAL BEAUTY

BeautyBegins in the ROSEGARDEN

By Patricia Danflous

PLANT A FEW ROSE BUSHES THIS SPRING AND YOU ARE ON THE WAY TO BEAUTIFUL, GLOWING SKIN WITH MAKE-IT-YOURSELF ROSE WATER.

Since the days of King Arthur, rose water has been used as a culinary ingredient, an essential in many fragrances, and as a natural cosmetic.

Your face can feel smooth, silky and delicate with regular rose water use – and you can make it yourself for pennies. A cleanser, toner, a very gentle astringent, and moisturizer, rose water stimulates facial skin and other areas of the body for glowing natural beauty. Filled with antioxidants and vitamins, the flowerbased liquid provides nourishment to the skin and minimizes signs of aging. It is also known to soothe irritated or sensitive skin, cleanse oily skin, and has natural revitalizing effects.

You can purchase rose water – be sure to buy 100 percent pure, not synthetic or with added preservatives – or find it as an ingredient in a variety of beauty products. Making it yourself however, is easy, fun, and your kitchen will smell delightful during the process. It will take you a little more than a half an hour to make up to a quart of rose water.

DISTILLING YOUR OWN ROSE WATER

EQUIPMENT – one glass quart-sized bowl, a brick, a large pot with an inverted lid INGREDIENTS – two to three quarts of fresh rose petals, water, ice cubes or crushed ice in a bag • Place a brick in the center of a large pot, put the glass bowl on top of the brick. • Add rose petals until they each the top of the brick. Pour water over the petals until it reaches to top of the brick. • Cover the pot, with the lid in an upside down position • Bring water to a rolling boil. • When the water begins to boil, place ice (about three trays full) or a bag of crushed ice on the lid. • Lower the heat to a simmer. • In three, 20-minute intervals, lift the lid and take out a couple of tablespoons of water. • Remove the pot from stove and cool. • Strain and store your homemade rose water in containers of your choice such as glass bottles or jars.

YOUR SOUL

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exercise / inspired to move Tone Your LOWER BODY and CORE with these 7 moves See more great workouts on our website www.inspirehealthmag.com BRITTANY BRUHL, NFL CHEERLEADER FOR THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, SHOWED INSPIRE HEALTH THE TOP SEVEN MOVES THAT KEEP HER IN SAINTSATIONAL SHAPE.

Fitness Feats:

Have you tried any of Inspire Health’s custom workouts? We want to hear about it. Tag Inspire Health in your fitness feats @inspirehealthmag.

Like most women, Brittany has a busy schedule. When she’s not shaking her pom-poms on the NFL turf, she’s in the classroom working hard on her degree.

Even though she keeps a very tight schedule, Brittany always makes time to squeeze in a quick, effective workout to keep her body healthy and toned for the game day spotlight. Here’s her secret workout.

1100 SQUATS Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart, toes pointed forward. Place your arms straight out in front of you, or place them on your hips. Lower your butt as if you are going to sit in a chair. Do not allow your knees to extend over your toes. Return to the starting position. Perform four sets of 25 reps.

2BASIC CRUNCH Lie down on your back on a mat. Bend your knees up; place your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head. Tuck your chin in and down as you lift your head from the floor. Contract your abs muscles as you crunch up to lift your shoulder blades off the floor. Return to the starting position. Perform four sets of 25 reps.

3BRIDGE Lie down on your back on a mat. Bend your knees up; place your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands beside you, palms on the floor. Raise your pelvis off the floor as you press your feet and palms to the floor. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position. Perform three sets of 10.

4SIDE PLANK Lie on your side on your hip and elbow. Lift your body up, supporting your weight on your bent arm and side of your foot. Keep your body in this position for 30 seconds. Perform one set on each side.

5FRONT PLANK Lie face down on a mat. Get into a front plank position by coming up onto your forearms (arms bent). Keep your body in straight alignment from head to feet. Keep your body in this position for 30-60 seconds. Perform one set.

6LOWER ABDOMINAL LEG LIFT Lie down on your back on a mat. Bring your legs straight up to a 90 degree angle. Lower your legs to a 45 degree angle (lower your legs further, if you are advanced). Your back should not come off the floor. Perform three sets of 10-15 reps

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SIDE BENDS Get onto your knees on a mat; make a light fist and place your arms at your sides. Bend at your waist on your right side while bringing your knuckles close to your knee. The left arm bends as you bring your left fist to your chest. Squeeze and hold for 2-3 seconds. Alternate sides to complete a total of 25 reps on each side. Perform 3 sets of 25 reps.

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