Today was a very physical day. I went to the gym in the morning, walked with a friend for an hour in the afternoon, and then came home and put a new fence around my garden. When I was done I was tired and my whole body ached. I decided to treat myself to a bath, but for a change of pace I went to the kitchen for the ingredients I needed to take a milk and honey bath.
Cleopatra, who was renowned for her beauty, reputedly enjoyed milk baths. Scientists now know that milk contains lactic acid, which helps to exfoliate your skin and make it soft and smooth. Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. The two ingredients put together sounded like a great combination for a relaxing bath.
I got the Tupperware container of nonfat dry milk and the jar of honey out of the pantry and carried it to the master bathroom upstairs. The bathtub hasn't been used in a couple of weeks, so first I had to brush out a bit of cat hair, some dust, and yellow oak pollen that had come through the open window. When the tub was clean, I started the water and dumped in the other ingredients. My directions called for three cups of powdered milk. I used everything that was in the container, and may have come up a bit short. However, I added more honey than the two tablespoons the "recipe" called for. I also added a bit of jasmine perfume to give the water a nice smell.
I took a book into the bath with me, but once I took my glasses off to splash water on my face, I didn't want to put them back on. Taking a bath in warm weather is much different than taking one in the middle of winter. Since the bathroom window was open, every once in a while a cool breeze blew over my body, making a wonderful contrast to the warm bath water. I could hear the birds chirping outside, and a neighbor calling to her children in the distance. I decided to close my eyes and relax.
When the water got cold it was time to get out. I couldn't believe how quickly the time had gone by. My skin seemed to be softer, and my aches and pains had disappeared during the warm water soak. I toweled off and went back to join the real world.
Ooh I've always wanted to do that!
ReplyDeleteI've done this and it's really lovely.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who almost has a minor degree in Egyptology - the rumours of Cleopatra's beauty are just that. Apparently she was not very good looking @ all...but she was extremely shrewd, intelligent and witty - this is what attracted people to her. Of course, all of this might be completely made up since it's impossible to know for sure. Nefertiti was supposed to be the hottest thing ever...Cleo was more of a political spitfire.
Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI have always thought that would make a wonderful relaxing time, but I never take the time to do it for myself. Maybe I will use your recipe...Thank You!
So Cleopatra was more about brains than beauty. Sounds like a modern woman. I wonder if the reports of her looks were an effort to downplay her accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteI think that reports of her looks are to explain her sex appeal. I think people don't get that she could be such a magnetic personality and be conventionally unattractive. However, look @ so many of the womanizing politicians these days! Few [if any] of them are good looking, but they still draw people in.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, Cleo was the first leader to speak the native language and she was very politically savvy.