March 15, 2012 – 6:09 pm

Off The Grid

The Bath Tub Diva

 

Hello Duckies!

The Bath Tub Diva is going off the grid for awhile to re-group / re-think/ re-quack about the web site.

The thing is, we get a LOT of visitors every month, close to 2,000 (wow! thank you!) but we don’t get a lot of participation with the postings, which is disappointing. So we’re going to try and figure out a better way to offer our info that will entice y’all to want to comment, tweet, LIKE, the posts.

We are open to ideas about what you want to see on this blog – more recipes? More product reviews? More meditations? What? Of course you can comment on this post, or, if you want some more privacy, please email me at diva@thebathtubdiva.com and I will absolutely respond to you!

What would make this blog something that you want to check out frequently and participate in, sign up for the newsletter? Tweet it to your friends?

Give me your thoughts and I’ll review your ideas with an open heart and mind. We want The Bath Tub Diva to be the “go-to” place whenever you are thinking of taking a bath and want some suggestions on how to make it even MORE wonderful, so let me know what you want to see here!

We’ll be back in a few months with more fun & engaging posts for your bath time.

In the meantime, the site still has loads of great info and please do check out the TOPICS for what interests you.

Loads of bubbly love,

The Bath Tub Diva

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By Ritama | Posted in BATH TUB DIVA, QUACKS |
March 2, 2012 – 12:50 pm

Dream Bathrooms Round Two!

I hope that you, faithful reader, are bubbling away in a lovely bathroom. But if you are like me, you’ll enjoy seeing images of great bathrooms to sparkle your imagination, tickle your dreams and take your bathroom to the next level when that remodel moola comes in!

Feed your fantasies!

Dream Bathroom 1

Shabby chic and delightful!

Dream Bathroom 2

I adore the hanging bubbles...

Dream Bathroom 3

...and the ceiling!

Dream Bathroom 4

Would feel like you were heading out to sea! Love the textures.

Dream Bathroom 5

Sleek! But needs more ducks...

Dream Bathroom 6

Now you can share a bath with a sweetie or a friend and not feel squished!

Dream Bathroom 7

This room has the sweetest ambiance.

Dream Bathroom 8

PURPLE!!!!!

Most all of these images can be found on The Bath Tub Diva’s Pinterest Board!

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By Ritama | Posted in DREAM! |
February 29, 2012 – 7:47 am

The Power of Peppermint Aromatherapy

Occasionally we’ll “re-post” some of our more stellar articles, just ’cause they were so good, and a lot of our new readers haven’t had a chance to read them. This article was originally published in June 2011 – enjoy!

Greek mythology says that the nymph Minthe was hotly pursued by Pluto. Pluto’s wife, Persephone, was not too happy about that and she trod poor Minthe into the ground! Pluto then turned Minthe into a flowering herb and so Minthe is still beloved.

Peppermint plant

Add some peppermint to your bath!

The other evening I did the Rose & Coconut Bath, which was wonderful, but I also added about 10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil as I was feeling drained. It really picked up my spirits, and made my time in the bath all the more pleasant. I highly recommend adding a little bit of Peppermint Oil to your bath!

The scent of peppermint is crisp, fresh, and menthol, and will clear out the cob webs without getting you hyped up.

Don’t over-do Essential Oils in your bath! Be IN the tub when you add the oil – carefully add about 5 drops to start, wait and see how it smells and feels and then a few more drops if desired. Too much Peppermint Oil can burn! Read this short post for more about adding Essential Oils to your bath. I have the  NOW Foods Peppermint Oil in my bathroom and like it a lot.

Peppermint is prolific and easy to grow. If you have some in your garden, crush some of the leaves in the bath and enjoy it that way.

Peppermint plant

Crush some of the leaves in your bath water

Here are some more properties attributed to Peppermint:

  • Mood uplifting
  • Helps relieve mental fatigue
  • Improves mental clarity, alertness, concentration, and memory
  • Sharpens the senses
  • Reviving and refreshing
  • Energizing

Peppermint is also helpful for weight loss. If you’re in one of those “grazing” moods, open up the Peppermint Oil and take a few sniffs. The scent usually knocks out the “grazing” mood.

Try it in your bath and let me know how Miss Minthe affected you!

Thanks to Wikimedia Commons for the image support.

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By Ritama | Posted in AROMATHERAPY, RECIPES | Tagged , |
February 28, 2012 – 6:00 am

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil FREE GIFT – A Diva Fave!

 

I LOVE Tropical Traditions! They have super-fine coconut products that I have gushed about before (see links below). Their products are organic and stellar and they work with local farmers in the Philippines. 

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil, The Bath Tub Diva, Ritama Haaga

Anyhoo, (I love saying ANYHOO), I just became an affiliate with Tropical Traditions which means if you order via the handy link I have provided YOU GET A FREE GIFT WITH YOUR ORDER!!! And I get credit to use towards my OWN Tropical Traditions purchases – which is really groovy for moi.

Here’s the handy link: TROPICAL TRADITIONS COCONUT OIL – FREE GIFT WITH YOUR FIRST PURCHASE!

You don’t have to order the coconut oil,  you can order whatever you want. I like the soap and the moisturizers too.

FREE GIFT WITH YOUR ORDER!

Your free gift is a BOOK about Coconut Oil (which I had to pay 10 bux for – because I did not have someone nice like me to link through and get it for free). It’s a very good book, lots of coconut factoids that will assist you in your coconut decision making. Heaps of recipes too.

AND – be sure and sign up for their Newsletter so you can get great deals from them, lots of 1/2 off offers and free shipping! I usually stock up on Coconut Oil when there is a Buy One Get One Free offer, or get the other 1/2 off, or free shipping….

I absolutely recommend adding a couple of tablespoons to your bath water for super fine silky skin. Put it on your hair for ove-night deep conditioning! Use it in your cooking! In a smoothie! Give it to your pets! Oil your bike gears! Ok, maybe not that last one…

Tropical Traditions is also a Diva Fave – click HERE for more.

Check out these links for more coconut goodness:

Coconut Oil good for your brain!

Coo-Coo for Coconuts Round 2!

Coo-Coo for Coconuts Round 1!

Here’s that fine link again to order your Coconut products from Tropical Traditions via The Bath Tub Diva:

Virgin Coconut Oil, Gold Label – 1 quart

 

 

 

 

 

 

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By Diva | Posted in FREEBIES, PRODUCTS |
February 27, 2012 – 11:54 am

Oprah in a Bubble Bath! Exclusive Images!!!!

Oprah After Dark - Oprah in a bubble bath

Ok, the images aren’t really exclusive…but I wanted to get your attention – worked didn’t it?

Last night after the Oscars Sam and I stayed up late to watch Jimmy Kimmel Live! because OPRAH was on and one of the teasers before the show had her IN A BATH TUB, so doh, of course we tuned in!

Jimmy pitched his ideas for OWN shows to Oprah and the resulting skits were laugh out loud funny. Besides Oprah being in a bubble bath, Oprah After Dark, she is stealing back “favorite things” and transforms into Oprah Bad Ass in Book Club Fight Club. OMG,  the head-slam, don’t miss it.

Oprah After Dark - Oprah in a bubble bath

If that wasn’t enough, Jimmy becomes “Dr. Vajayjay” and makes a quacking noise using a speculum as a duck, (which was mortifyingly funny).

Hel-loooooooooo?
It’s like those skits were tailor-made for The Bath Tub Diva!!!! (Am I over-reaching here? I love To Kill A Mockingbird…)

Do watch the whole video, because it’s fantastic, it’s funny,  and     you     will      laugh.

The skits start at 1:35 on the video below.
Go to 4:58 to see  the pitch for Oprah After Dark, which has Oprah in the tub surrounded by luxurious  bubbles. But no rubber ducks – what??? < Note to self, send Oprah a duck > 

I hope Oprah teams up with Jimmy Kimmel in the future. He could have his own slot on OWN where he comes to her every week with a new idea for a show, and then they act it out. (OWN are you listening?!?!?). And since I am pitching shows, how about one for The Bath Tub Diva? Every week, tons of incredible tips for transforming your life one bath at a time!!! I can see it now……..quack!

I know for a fact that Oprah really does love bubble baths too! Below is an excerpt from Newsweek – don’t I say the same thing to y’all about getting in the tub? Maybe now you’ll listen ’cause Oprah said it :

Oprah loves bubble baths - The Bath Tub Diva, Ritama Haaga

Related links:

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Oprah

OWN

 

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By Ritama | Posted in BATH TUB DIVA, QUACKS |
February 21, 2012 – 5:47 pm

Guided Meditation – Bubbles and Om!

guided meditation with the Bath Tub Diva

Meditation can help you connect to your soaring spirit!

Meditating in the tub is lovely, already such a relaxing space, so it seems to make it easier to get quiet and introspective.

Taking a few minutes to calm down and let go of your “task list” is a good thing on many levels, helps you de-stress and get a bigger picture of what’s happening in your life  - especially stuff that you get all wound about that really isn’t that important, we just think it is!

But sometimes, my  monkey-mind-banana-brain won’t stop chattering, no matter how many times I dunk my head!

That’s why I like having few Guided Meditations to drown out the chatter help me focus and clam down. And besides, I love having stories read to me (I adore a good Book on CD!) and having someone guide me through a meditation is kinda like that.

I’ve given you a few links to guided meditations. I have not done them all, but reviewed them and thought they were good enough to pass onto you.

I have the Abraham-Hicks: Getting Into the Vortex CD and have used that often. They have 4 guided meditations that I enjoy and a nice book to read for more insights about the meditations. Abraham is a “spiritual entity” that is channeled through Esther Hicks – make of that what you will! I find the meditations really helpful, regardless of how they got on the CD!

To do these meditations probably  means hanging out with your “device” in the tub. So turn off the phone ringer! Set your smart phone or iPad AWAY from the water and turn it on.

Here are my suggestions for guided meditations to do in the tub – I don’t think any are longer than 15 or 20 minutes, which is a nice amount of time to drift.

Abraham-Hicks: Getting Into the Vortex CD
Getting Into The Vortex: Guided Meditations CD and User Guide

You can Download or stream the following:

Audio Dharma - a number of free guided meditations

Eckhart Tolle/Kim Eng – Guided breathing meditation video

Tequila Kitty (Tequila Kitty?) – a YouTube video, but you can close your eyes and not watch it!

The Honest Guys – another YouTube video that you can shut your eyes and listen to

Have fun and OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM…

If you enjoyed this article, please LIKE it & Tweet it to your friends. Sign up for the Diva Newsletter to get a weekly summery of the posts and notices on Give-aways and other freebies!

Thank you RitamaDiva for that fabulous image that you took lying on a rock in Sedona, AZ!

 

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By Diva | Posted in TRANSFORM |
February 17, 2012 – 7:00 am

History of Bath Tubs & Bathing – Part III

Egyptian Bath -The Bath Tub Diva, Ritama Haaga

Egyptian Bath - but where are the rubber duckies?

I know, you’ve been dying for an update to the enthralling HISTORY OF BATHING series by The Bath Tub Diva!

Well, here it is…when last we left off we were in Rome and the grand baths were called “Thermae”. For this episode, we’ll be going a bit backwards to ancient (Cue Bangles “Walk Like an Egyptian) Eqypt.

Ahem…..

Dating as far back as 2000 BC, ancient Egyptians were amongst the first to widely adopt the power of the hot tub for its therapeutic values. In fact, Phraortes, the King of Media, built one of the first known hot tubs in 600 BC, which simply consisted of a water-filled caldera that was then heated by placing red-hot stones in the water. Yeah, but did they have JETS in these hot tubs?

Due to the climate, (remember, we are in Egypt where it’s hot hot hot) Egyptians were fixated on cleanliness – so much so that foreigners (thought to be dirty) and those who didn’t have access to personal hygiene options were despised. Despised? Seems a bit harsh – maybe they were just violently ignored?

Men and woman shaved and plucked off all of their body hair using tweezers, knives and razors, made of flint or metal – ALL of their hair? All of it? They would be busy all the time because once you got to the end of your body, hair would have grown in at the beginning again. Not only was this for beauty, but it also rid the Egyptians of body lice. (TBTD says Ewwwwwwwwwwww to body lice!)

To clean themselves while bathing, the Egyptians used natron (which was also used when mummifying the dead – another ewwwwww from TBTD – you know they pulled their brains outta their noses – the dead, not the bathers), followed by linen towels for drying. The rich had facilities in their places of residence while the majority of Egyptians bathed in the Nile. So, 2000 years ago it was the same, the 1% and the other 99% – will things ever change????

The homes of the wealthy were airy and roomy, literally. There were bedrooms, servants’ quarters, halls, dining rooms – and BATHROOMS! Actually, a “bathroom” was usually a small recessed room with a square slab of limestone in the corner. There the master of the house stood while his slaves liberally doused him with water. Well, we can’t really call that a “bath” now can we? That is a “shower”.  And this slave business is bothersome; for gawds sake “master of the house”, pick up your own bucket and soak your head.

Egyptian royalty bathed with essential oils and flowers. But no rubber ducks or bubbles – so sad.

And now you have some fascinating factoids to share at your next slumber party! I personally  liked the bits about the complete removal of all body hair and the brains coming out the noses.

Ancient Bathing in Egypt - The Bath Tub Diva, Ritama Haaga

Ancient Bathing in Egypt - with, um, all your clothes on...

If you enjoyed this article, please LIKE it & Tweet it to your friends. Sign up for the Diva Newsletter to get a weekly summery of the posts and notices on Give-aways and other freebies!

Thanks to these resources for this article:

Mediterraneas
Bull Frog Spas
The Keep
The Plumber

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By Ritama | Posted in HISTORY |
February 15, 2012 – 2:24 pm

Chocolate & Cinnamon Bath Recipe!

Chocolate and Cinnamon - The Bath Tub Diva, Ritama Haaga

Chocolate and Cinnamon, YUM!

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day and it was also Sam’s birthday.  Poor dear, he half-heartedly grouses about it being a burden to share the date with a holiday  – but really, isn’t Valentine’s Day the best holiday to share your birthday with? Well, unless you like to drink, then Saint Paddys is for you. Because, through no effort on your part,  people can’t help but assume you are a sweetheart and have a romantic persona – right? There’s a lot worse assumptions people can make about you….

Anyhoo, as part of that days celebrations we dined at a favorite restaurant and had a wonderful meal. Then we had dessert….it was cinnamon ice cream on a warm fudge brownie.    O        M          G      !

I think I dreamed about it last night….

Much as I would like to, I can not have that dessert every day or else I would not be able to fit into the tub.

So how to make it IN the tub and drift calorie-free??

  • 2 cups powdered milk
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and pour into tub under running water. Then make yourself a cup of cocoa and get in the tub

And, for all you organic conscious divas, there is organic powdered milk, organic cocoa powder and organic cinnamon – check out your health food store.

Don’t forget the bubbles! And the Epsom Salts!

If you enjoyed this article, please LIKE it & Tweet it to your friends. Sign up for the Diva Newsletter to get a weekly summery of the posts and notices on Give-aways and other freebies!

Thanks WikiMedia Commons for the image!

 

 

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By Ritama | Posted in RECIPES |
February 8, 2012 – 7:56 am

Top 5 Reasons for Having a Good Cry

Have a good cry - The Bath Tub Diva

Sometimes, there really is nothing like a good cry (also known as sobbing, weeping, bawling, and blubbering) to make  you feel better!

I highly recommend boo-hooing in the bath tub, it’s safe, warm, and the acoustics from the tile can really add some great reverberation to your wailing.

  1. Crying is Good for Our Physical and Emotional Health
    Medical research now suggests that tears could actually be a way of flushing negative chemicals out of the body and doing us a world of good physically. In addition to removing toxic substances from our body, crying can also have the psychological benefit of lifting our mood and helping us to deal with painful situations.
  2. Shedding Tears Reduces Stress.
    Crying is thought to help reduce stress, which can have a damaging effect on our health and has been linked to a number of health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, Type-2 diabetes and obesity.According to a study at the St Paul-Ramsey Medical Center in Minnesota, crying can help to wash chemicals linked to stress out of our body, one of the reasons we feel much better after a good cry.
  3. Tears Remove Toxins
    Biochemist William Frey, who has been researching tears for as long as I’ve been searching for sanity, found in one study that emotional tears—those formed in distress or grief—contained more toxic byproducts than tears of irritation (think onion peeling). Are tears toxic then?
    No! They actually remove toxins from our body that build up courtesy of stress.
  4. Crying Can Elevate Mood
    Do you know what your manganese level is? Neither do I. But chances are that you will feel better if it’s lower because overexposure to manganese can cause bad stuff: anxiety, nervousness, irritability, fatigue, aggression, emotional disturbance, and the rest of the feelings that live inside my head rent-free.The act of crying can actually lower a person’s manganese level. And just like with the toxins I mentioned in my last point, emotional tears contain 24 percent higher albumin protein concentration – responsible for transporting small (toxic) molecules – than irritation tears.
  5. Tears Release Feelings
    Even if you haven’t just been through something traumatic or are severely depressed, the average Joe goes through his day accumulating little conflicts and resentments.Sometimes they gather inside the limbic system of the brain and in certain corners of the heart. Crying is cathartic. It lets the devils out before they wreak all kind of havoc with the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

 

Thank you for the crying info:
Divine Caroline
Mike Robbins

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By Ritama | Posted in HEALTHY LIVING, TRANSFORM |
February 3, 2012 – 12:46 pm

Catz n’ Bafs – No Good Combo!

Catz n' Bafs - no good combo!

More funny cat pics here!

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By Ritama | Posted in QUACKS |