Happy Thanksgiving!

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I arrived at the Ottawa airport twenty five years ago with a hundred dollars in my pocket, no friends, no family… on Canadian soil.

Fast forward… a beautiful family, beautiful friends, work I love, good food on my table, a peaceful home to live in and the best clients on the planet!! From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU for your support and the loving energy you share with me. May your life be filled with many blessings.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  Happy weekend to all!

Magdalena:))

Bliss out your bathroom, it's getting cold!

A bath is one of my favorite home beauty treatments for fall and winter. On a cool day nothing will warm my spirit, relax my muscles and soften my skin like a soothing soak in a tub infused with the scent of herbs and essential oils. 

The bathroom is often the only place (if you have a busy family life) where you can lock the door, stop the world and escape. I am sure most of you know exactly what I am talking about... . It is worth your while to organize your bathroom ahead of time for your bliss out power sessions.

First if you can, please please get a water purifier for your tub. If you are going to soak in your tub, make sure that the water is free of harmful chemicals. There is a lot of evidence and research to prove harmful effect of chlorine on our health. It will be good for you and other members of your family, especially your kids. One of the sources for water purifiers is NEW WAVE ENVIRO.

Once you have this set up the rest is play.

I always have a good book, a cup of herbal tea and a beautiful pheylonian mini-lite candle going.  Often it is the only time I have in my busy day to read for pleasure.  Maybe music is something that rocks your boat... A cup of hot herbal tea adds coziness to my experience; any tea my heart desires. The pheylonian candles smell amazing!

About every two months I stock up on bath oils. I blend them myself:)). It is a blend of base oil like almond or camellia oil and essential oils. Essential oils change according to what I feel I need... maybe lavender for relaxation, eucalyptus to ward off a cold or a flu...
I can custom blend bath oils for you if you would like. Visit Woman Divine to learn more about my oils and write me an email info@womandivine.ca to order.
I love bath oils because they leave my skin feeling beautiful and nourished. If needed I can also customize them to become very effective remedies for a variety of ailments.

If you are going to do it yourself I would suggest about a tablespoon of base oil and 10 drops of essential oil.  1 Tbsp of oil is approximately 10 ml. If you get a 100ml bottle of let's say almond oil, it will be enough for 10 baths.  Use more common essential oils like the Lavender (Lavendula Angustafolia) or Eucalyptus (Radiata)  and stay away from citrus, mint, clove... in your bath water.
Essential oils are very potent and it is a good idea to use the with caution. Always educate yourself before you use them, that's all.

Bath salts are a wonderful addition to your bath. You can use them scented or just plain.
Stock up on Epsom salts, Dead Sea mineral salts or Himalayan salts or all of the above. I usually put one cup of salt in my tub. Most salts are detoxifying and help to remineralize the skin. They also neutralize the trace elements which harden water.

But before you hop in your tub dry brush (natural bristle brush is a must) your skin for an added health and beauty benefit. This is a very simple practice (good to implement on a daily basis) that will immensely improve the health of your skin and your body. It helps to move fluids; lymph congestion, water retention, and improves the blood circulation.
Start at the bottom of your feet and gently work your way up omitting the delicate breast area.
Watch the dead skin cells fly off your body... rinse and now you are ready to enjoy your bath. Make sure to lock the door. For the next 30 minutes you are not available:))

BATHING RULES that are good to know.

• bathe when your stomach is empty

• elderly, young children, anyone with high or very low blood pressure, heart condition,  poor circulation should stick to lower temperature baths

• morning bath - 10min - 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees centigrade)

• evening bath - 15-20min - 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees centigrade) to 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees centigrade)

• muscle pain and after physical exertion bath -104 to 107degrees Fahrenheit  (40-42 degrees centigrade)

• a cold shower after a hot bath will tone the skin and increase the resistance to colds and infections

• a toxin-eliminating bath is best followed by a rest period under a warm blanket, followed by a cool shower and the application of appropriate oils 
• after a hot bath replenish fluids by drinking water

Papaya Coffee body scrub.

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My friend Mary, a yoga teacher, has introduced me to a wonderful Papaya Coffee body scrub.

Mary has experienced some amazing treatments while vacationing in Costa Rica and this one was her favorite. After trying it myself I totally see why…

Ingredients:

All you will need is:  

a cup of fresh papaya meat (no seeds please)

1/2 banana 

1 Tbsp. of ground coffee.

How to prepare:

In a small bowl mush the papaya and banana.

Add the coffee.

How to apply:

Hop in the shower and start applying the mixture from the feet, working your way up. Work in a circular motion, always moving toward your heart.

Rinse off.

Moisturize your skin with an oil like almond, apricot, coconut...

This scrub smells wonderful, if you love coffee that is.  I can never drink coffee because it gives me jitters but this scrub I can definitely do. It will leave your skin smooth and your body invigorated. 

Why to use the papaya coffee scrub?

Besides smelling and feeling great this stuff actually does a very good job on your skin.

Use it in the morning; it will wake you up.

Native to Central America, papaya removes dead skin cells and is very effective for overall skin dryness; it nourishes the skin, lightens freckles and is used for healing wounds. It is rich in Vitamin A, C, E and beta-carotene as well as calcium, phosphorus and iron.

Coffee in this blend does much more than scrub your skin or wake you up.  Caffeine and coffee berries have the power to improve a number of common skin issues.

The caffeic acid found in coffee grounds can significantly affect anti-inflammatory activity and skin wound healing. The main chemical in coffee is caffeine, a natural antioxidant. Antioxidants neutralize the effects of free radicals, which can damage the inner layer of skin.

The scent of coffee acts to clear a person's mind of excessive thoughts and as an anti-depressant. 

Caffeine has a diuretic effect, which helps speed fluid on its way, reducing the appearance of cellulite.

If you have sensitive skin, coffee scrub may help soothe it by tightening your blood vessels.

Banana softens, nourishes and soothes sensitive and dry skin.

Enjoy your scrub!

Since you have used only a little part of your papaya fruit for this scrub you may as well splash some lime juice on the rest and have it for breakfast.

Papaya is high in digestive enzymes and has a tonic effect on the stomach. It also has a high mucus solvent action.

When consumed regularly papaya will improve the health of your skin, hair nails and eyes.

Let me know how you like it.

Magdalena

Janet Wilson from the Ottawa Citizen visits Woman Divine.

Thank you Janet!

Woman Divine offers raw vegan organic facial treatments that leave skin with a healthy glow, writes JANET WILSON
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Ottawa Citizen August 17, 2012 1:31 PM

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Holistic skincare therapist, Magdalena Tomczak, runs Woman Divine in Ottawa, which offers facials using fresh fruits and vegetables.

Magdalena Tomczak has been using food as medicine for the skin since her childhood while growing up in Poland. She followed her mother’s simple beauty regimen of using cucumber slices and tea bags on her eyes, honey as a facial mask and essential oils for stomach aches and colds.

Tomczak owns a holistic skincare clinic called Woman Divine in Westboro. She credits her “beautiful” 81-year-old mother for influencing her to study nutrition and herbal medicine and aromatherapy.

“Organic products are full of life and energy. You can’t compare them to products that sit on store shelves for two years,” she says. “I love the freshness of creating a mask using local products in the summer. I source everything from local growers in Aylmer and purchase exotic fruits from Herb & Spice on Wellington Street.”

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Tomczak moved to Ottawa 24 years ago and was one of the first in the area to get involved in the local organic skincare movement. While she makes most of her own treatments, she has been using anAustralian skincare line called Jurlique for 18 years.

After hearing glowing reviews about Tomczak’s raw vegan facial from a few neighbours, I recently decided to check out what the buzz was all about. Located on the second floor of a converted home on Churchill Avenue near bustling Westboro, Tomczak began offering this particular facial a year ago.

“I love it. I can fully customize the treatment and can make it as complex or as simple for the client. People with skincare allergies love it because it’s pure and there’s no fuss. You don’t have to worry about unlisted ingredients because what you see is what you get.”

For my visit, Tomczak showcased the natural ingredients in little glass dishes, including lavender, marshmallow root and rose petal infusions, cucumber juice, a blend of camellia oil, lavender essential oil and blue camomile, manuka honey, ground oats, almond butter, matcha green tea and white clay.

The raw vegan treatment, which costs $90 and is an hour long, starts with a cleansing process using manuka honey, oats, almond butter and marshmallow extract.

A lavender infusion spray is used to hydrate the face along with rose water and cucumber. A warm blast of steam opens the pores and readies the skin for deep cleansing, exfoliation and extractions, if needed. Tomczak offers a relaxing massage of the upper chest, shoulders, neck, face and scalp. After that, a face mask of apricot, honey, white clay and matcha tea is lathered onto to the skin and then it’s time for a foot massage.

In a word, the experience was blissful and one I hope to repeat in the not-so-distant future. I loved the feel and the smell of the natural ingredients on my body, the heavenly massage and listening to Tomczak’s insightful philosophy on how she chooses to lead her life and about her hopes to inspire those around her. I left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

“I never believed in the five-step skincare routine, but I do believe in mindful, nurturing self-care and the power of touch, which is why massage is a big part of my treatments,” says the 49-year-old.

“I wish for women to take beauty into their own hands and to trust their intuition rather than the latest advertisement. Skin and the face are not separate from the rest of the body. They are very much a dynamic part of the whole being.”

Magdalena’s secret tips:

What can’t you live without:

I love working with oils especially rosehip seed oil. I use this vegetable oil to moisturize my skin on a regular basis. Rosehip is excellent for aging skin and heals burns and scars.

What else?

I also love lavender essential oil because it is an amazing skin-cell regenerator and it’s wonderful for the nervous system.


© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Crudessence - my favorite raw food restaurant in Montreal.

I love Montreal because it is beautiful and fun but also because I always get to eat amazing food whenever I visit. Next time you are there make sure to stop by Crudessence, my favorite place for a raw, healthy and delicious meal. Even if you are not a raw foodie it is going to be a nice experience for your taste buds.
The place is slick, food is delicious, service very nice and their location is easy to access. Crudessence is located right downtown at 2157 Mackay and Sherbrooke. I never have any problems finding a close-by parking spot. They also have another location, their original tiny space at 105 rue Rachel West but the downtown one is definitely my first pick.

 

 

'Hippocrate' juice alkalizing, very green and very delicious.

My personal favorite 'Crape Florentine'. The crape is made with Brasilia nuts, chia seeds and linseeds. How do they do it? Very filling and tasty.

 Chocolate cake, lime pie and pistachio ice cream, yummm!

Crudessence is very busy on the weekends, especially at lunch and dinner time. Make sure to call for a reservation. 514 6645188
Let me know how you like it:))

Raw facial - a feast for your skin.

If you haven't yet come to see me for the Raw Vegan Face Treatment at Woman Divine  now is the time. This treatment feels the nicest in the hot summer months. Fresh produce is abundant and I get to pick the best organic fruit and veggies for your skin.
I love creating these from scratch, fresh, live and fully custom tailored treatments, for few reasons.
#1 Live
 I work with a commercial organic skin care line all year round. But every time I do one of the raw treatments, I experience a noticeable difference in the energetic quality of the material I am working with.
The fresh fruit, raw honey, almond meal, matcha powder or freshly pressed wheat grass, vibrate with life and are very dynamic in their nature. Simply said, they are alive. It is a wonderful thing to experience as a therapist but it is also amazing to see simple fresh food interact with your skin and produce a desired outcome.
#2  Fun
It is like cooking and I love cooking. I get to be creative when I am formulating a fresh mask. Compare that to squeezing a tube of ready stuff.  It is fun for you too because you get to experience a  new approach to skin care and you walk out inspired to use food as beauty remedies at home.

#3 Simple 
If you already know me, you are well aware that I like my beauty care simple. I like it uncomplicated, easy and unpretentious. I share my bohemian approach to beauty and skin care with others because I know that once you embrace it, life in a female body becomes freer, easier and simpler;  in a good way.

#4 Pure 

You can not go any purer than this. You can eat it; all of it.  And it tastes great:))
I buy the produce locally as much as I can. Of course, it is not always possible to find all the ingredients locally, but I do my best.
Everything I use is organic and most of it is prepared on the spot. Some of the herbal preparations must be done ahead of time so I get them ready in the morning. 

#5 Harmony
At my core, this beautiful, nature-driven, planet-respecting body and skin supporting way of beauty care makes complete sense... It surely works in Harmony with Nature.

Acne treatment - a fresh start, the holistic way.

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Over the last 18 years of my skin care practice I have met many clients who are searching for an effective acne treatment. Many are discouraged, by having tried (without success) endless skin care products, which promised blemish free skin. I have worked with women who have spent years on antibiotics to treat acne.  Not only did they experience the numerous side effects of the drugs but the acne would return as soon as the prescription was stopped. The most frustrating thing for me to witness has been sensitive skin acne, burning with redness from the use of harsh, drying products which should not even be on the market never mind on sensitive skin; actually on any skin.

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It is obvious that acne treatment is a frustrating journey for many. It is often so because we search for solutions in the wrong places.

I promise if you have been suffering with chronic acne there is much more to the treatment than a tube of ‘miraculous cream'.  You can buy an entire department of skin care products and you will never be satisfied with the results.  Your search for the perfect solution in a bottle becomes endless; you will always need to buy more product because the last one you have used felt like ‘IT’ just for a while. Then you feel disappointed yet again. It is exhausting, tough on your wallet and very discouraging.

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But your body is a very wise ‘machine’ and there is light at the end of the tunnel! You can use your acne experience as an opportunity to reexamine your overall health, lifestyle and diet. Those committed to change see results beyond just clear skin. Try more energy, vitality and mental clarity along with a fresh glow.

The solution lies in recognizing your skin as a part of a whole system. Treating it as separate from the rest of you (body and mind) makes no more sense that telling a guy who had a heart attack to take a pill and keep on smoking.

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Diet is #1 in a holistic acne treatment but do you know what to eat?

You maybe eating ‘good’ food but it may be not so good for you.  We are all different and looking at your constitutional makeup needs to be a starting point.  What do you thrive on and what is a burden for your body?

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Lifestyle comes next.

Do you sleep enough? Do you exercise? What about stress levels?  Obvious right? But how are you doing in these aspects of your life?

Hygiene.

It is surprising how many women still go to bed without washing their face.

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Listen to your thoughts.

What is the song that plays in your head over and over again?

Do you obsess about every new pimple you get? Do you constantly check yourself in the mirror or touch your face in search for imperfections?

Do you like the way you look? 
Do you think of your skin problem as a call for self-compassion and self-love?

OR

Do you hate what you see? 
Do you feel ugly and unattractive? 

How does having acne affect your life?

How much time do you spend thinking about it every day?  

How does it affect relationships in your life including the one with yourself?

How does it affect your mood?

What about your self-esteem and self-confidence?

It is clear that acne treatment must go far beyond external applications of product just as acne's affect on YOU goes far beyond the look of your skin.

START FRESH at www.womandivine.ca 

What you need to know about sun protection.

Summer is officially here and everybody is talking about sun protection. If you ask me, in most cases I still prefer a nice big hat and long sleeves. I know... , this statement will ruffle

the feathers of many people. 

To help you decide for yourself, I want to share with you this video by Dr. John Douillard.

I could have not said it any better.

The lovely strawberry.

Lately, the sweet taste and beautiful scent of strawberries have been my indulgence.  Locally grown strawberries taste way different from the imported, oddly large and totally lacking aroma fruit we buy in the cold months of the year. Now is the time to truly enjoy them.

Native to North and South America, strawberries are a good source of vitamin C. They are also very good for the intestinal tract and improve elimination. They alkalize your body, are high in sodium and have a good amount of potassium.

Strawberries are delicious juiced, in fruit salads or on their own.
Try frozen banana, a handful of strawberries and almond milk in your smoothie. Very tasty!  

You can infuse their leaves to make an astringent face spray for oily and combo skin types. Prepare like an herb tea, cool and transport into a little spray bottle. It keeps for a day.

Fresh strawberry pulp will brighten the teeth and freshen the breath.

Use strawberries in a mask for oily and combination skin and to calm blemishes.

They will tighten the pores, lighten uneven complexion, eliminate dead skin cells and leave you glowing and refreshed.

Strawberry mask:

2-4 well washed organic strawberries 

1tsp of honey ( you can eat the leftovers:)) )

optional: 1tsp of green clay and a good drizzle of jojoba oil 

strawberry mask

Blend all of the ingredients, apply for 10 minutes, relax and expect the loveliness of the strawberry to rub off on you:))

My visit to Warsaw.

I have just come back from a visit to Poland and I thought, I will share with you a few pictures from Warsaw, my home town. Warsaw is a vibrant and dynamic city with a population of about 2,600,000. It is a major tourist destination so if you ever have a chance to visit Poland, you must put Warsaw on your list. My home town has survived many wars throughout history and has suffered terrible loss during World War II. About 80% of the buildings were destroyed and it has taken many years to  restore it to its former beauty.

Welcome to the Old Town, my very favorite part of Warsaw.

 Nowy Swiat is my absolutely favorite street in Warsaw. Filled with restaurants, coffee shops, little boutiques, it beams with life.

Of course, I always seek natural products wherever I am; no different while in Poland. This is my very favorite herbal store in Warsaw.

When I was little, polish pharmacies were filled with the scent of dry herbs and their shelves were lined with herbal remedies. Medical doctors used to prescribe herbal medicine.
Today, western ways have moved into Poland and sadly pharmaceutical companies dominate the field. You can still find some natural medicines at the common pharmacies but the scent of dry herbs is long gone...

 

Stores like this one are a great support for people who wish to continue using herbs and other natural remedies in their lives.

                        

While in Warsaw I have discovered PHENOME, a polish organic skin care company.

Their stores are lovely, modern and the service was wonderful.

I purchased a couple of their products and I LOVE them. It would be wonderful to have them here in Canada.