Warm weather is here and little piggies everywhere and revealing themselves for the first time in months! As women bravely strap on their gladiator sandals and opened toed heels for the first few times, they may be taking a look at their feet and saying, maybe I should have splurged for that pedicure after all!
With the economy struggling and more women forgoing their weekly manis and pedis, at-home spa treatments are quickly gaining popularity. What was once thought of as a teenage bonding experience is now a necessity for professional women everywhere who want to keep their feet looking attractive all summer long.
At-home pedicures are a great option not only for women who want to save on money, but also people who want to avoid potentially dangerous conditions at their local spa.
Tips for a Healthy Home Spa Experience:
Bacteria can flourish in dark, wet places, such as a bathroom medicine cabinet. Be sure to sanitize your nail clippers by soaking them in boiling water and wiping them down with rubbing alcohol every few weeks
- Say NO to self-surgery! Anything that hurts, such as removing deep-set ingrown toenails, will cause more damage than good. If you have a painful nail, see a doctor right away
Check expiration dates for beauty products like scrubs, lotions, or soaks. Open containers that sit around for a long time unused can collect bacteria and easily infect cuts in your feet – including blisters - Use simple Epsom salt and warm water to relieve and revive tired feet. It often has similar properties as fancy spa soaks but can cost several dollars less at a drug store
- Give your toes time to breath. Nails are their healthiest when they are exposed to air and water. When changing nail polish colors, check nails to make sure they are not discolored – this is a classic sign of toenail fungus and can go unnoticed if nails are always painted
Take two or three dumpling leaves 
Use dumpling leaves to form a hollow
Spread a layer of glutinous rice over dumpling leaves 
Put in pork/chicken (preferably pork for better taste) 
Put in chestnuts
Put in Chinese mushroom 
Spread another layer of glutinous rice to cover the filling
Press hard on glutinous rice
Cover the dumpling with one dumpling leave
Fold the leaves to form dumpling shape
Wrap the two ends with straw to secure
Put all dumplings in a big pot of boiling water. [Need to keep all the dumplings soaking in boiling water all the time.] Cook for about 3 hours until dumplings are cooked. Drain. 
