Barefoot'n

“My life is like a stroll on the beach… as near to the edge as I can go.”
~ Thoreau

What’s better than sinking your toes into warm sand, soft as velvet or the feeling of cool grass underfoot as you walk around your backyard or local park? When’s the last time you dangled your feet off the edge of a dock into fresh cool water? All together now! Ahhh… It’s time to kick off your shoes and do a little barefoot’n with the beach farmgirl and family!

My husband remembers vividly the sense of freedom he felt as a child of arriving at the beach shoeless for the summer and not putting on another pair of shoes until the always traumatic first day of school the following year. Imagine, three entire months where nothing touched his feet but mud flats warmed by the hot summer sun, rocks, sand, salt water, and wooden plank floors inside the cottage, lightly dusted with a constant layer of beach sand.

For us, a new season at the beach isn’t truly official until we’ve had a good look around the cottage inside and out, mentally clicked the refresh button on our revolving to-do list and taken our traditional first walk on the beach. It’s time to lose the flip flops! That list can wait! Let’s walk!

The blue ocean is like a magnet, pulling my husband and Max to the water’s edge for the first barefoot walk of the season.

Sand ferns sprout from the tops of some rocks while others appear to be wearing wigs of seaweed.

As we rounded the corner ahead we caught up with our daughter, one of her BFFLs, and Max. Look closely at their feet. They’re running in sync!

My beach sisters and I recently started a new annual tradition, too. We gather once a year at the end of summer to un-plug, re-charge and re-connect at the beach. We know just being together will work its magic on the “crabbiness factor” that comes with the mere thought of another summer coming to an end. Let’s not go there! Spring is the ideal time to get your feet in shape for going barefoot and pretty summer sandals, too!

After reading about MaryJane’s outdoor bathing ritual I was inspired to try an at-home FOOT BATH RECIPE at last year’s “Sea-weet Escape.” This UN-plugged version will work anywhere a farmgirl/beachgirl has a mind to sit still long enough and just soak. Inside or out!

~Farmgirl Foot Bath Fixins~

You’ll need:

• One large tub/basin or bowl large enough for your feet and deep enough to soak above the ankles. (Try an antique porcelain bowl or galvanized tin). A large stainless steel bowl or a plastic bin will work in a pinch, too.
• 1/3 cup rock sea salt
• 1/4 cup dried lavender petals

1. Boil water on the stove or use hot water from your tap.
2. Add ingredients to your basin/tub.
3. Sit and soak for 20 minutes minimum or until the water becomes cool. Use a natural sea sponge to slough off dry skin on the tops and bottoms of your feet. A pedi-file works wonders on rough heels.
4. Towel dry and moisturize your feet, being careful not to get lotion or oil on the toenail itself because you’re going to paint your toenails!

That’s better!

Now you’re ready for anything that comes your way. Here are some additional foot and full body pampering ideas!

• Try adding sliced citrus and rosemary for an energizing soak or sprinkle a few drops of your favorite essential oils into your soaking water to fit the mood.
• For a touch of spa indulgence, heat small, round, flat rocks on the stove with water; then add them to your basin of hot water and ingredients.
• You can find sea salt, dried herbs, and essential oils at your local Herb Shop and Health Food Store.
• Shop your local dollar store for individual pedicure implements and nail polish.
• If you’re soaking at night, light a few candles or a lantern or two and share a bottle of your favorite wine or another refreshing drink.

For more soothing and refreshing at-home beauty recipes and products visit Eden Organics online.

If you want to get earthy-crunchy about going barefoot, visit this link to learn more about Earthing.

I don’t need a Dr. or an expert to tell me it’s good for my health to kick off my shoes and set my doggies free from time to time. It’s just common sense!

We hope you enjoyed coming along for our “first frolic” on the beach!

Why don’t you share your favorite barefoot’n memories in the comments section below! C’mon, you know you want to!

Until our next shoreline visit~

Beach Blessings and Happy Barefoot’n!
Love,
Deb