Low-cost luxe: DIY ideas to make yourself feel fit and fabulous

14 November 2023

With our wallets wincing at the checkouts, the team here at AA Health Insurance thought it would be a great idea to put our DIY heads together to craft a little list of low-cost luxuries you can whip up or access at home. Have a read of our tips below and start the rummage through the pantry to see how you can make yourself feel fit and fabulous – without it costing the earth. 

 

1. The DIY facemasks

A natural home-made face mask is one of the simplest and most cost-effective self-care things you can do. It is also incredibly tasty!

 

Tumeric Mask circleTurmeric Brightening Mask.

  • Mix one teaspoon of turmeric and one tablespoon of honey to make a smooth orange blend

  • Apply the mask mixture to your clean, dry face and leave for 15-20 minutes

  • Rinse with lukewarm water

 

Avocado Mask

  • Mix ½ a ripe avocado (mashed), 1 tsp. raw honey, and 1 tsp. plain full-fat yogurt

  • Apply to face, leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water

 

Brown Sugar Scrub Mask

  • Mix 2 tbsp. brown sugar with 2 tbsp. coconut oil

  • Apply to face in gentle circular motions, let sink in for five minutes, then wash off with warm water

 

Yoga Circle2. Embrace your body, mind and lycra with Glo

Glo is an online yoga, meditation, Pilates, and fitness app which has been designed to help you feel better in both your body and mind. We loved this beautifully designed app, where you can practice all your favourite moves with some of the world’s best teachers.

No need to worry if you are just a beginner – they have classes and options covering all life stages and levels. You can trial it for one week to see if it is for you, after that there is a monthly subscription cost.

 

Bliss balls circle3. Get blissed out on your own ‘Nutella’ bliss balls.

What you’ll need

  • 200g pitted Medjool dates

  • 120g skinless hazelnuts

  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder

Instructions: In a blender, blitz until all ingredients are finely chopped and the mixture comes together. Take large teaspoonfuls of the mixture and roll into balls. You can keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days, or the freezer for up to 2 months.

 

Meditation Circle4. Get super calm with Calm

The good folk at Calm are on a mission to make the world happier and healthier.

This is a fantastic app if you are looking to improve your mental well-being. It teaches users how to reduce anxiety and stress, get a better nights’ sleep and how to have a check in with your emotions.

Calm has the option to access either a 7-day free trial or the free version of the app.

 

 

5. Become best friends with your blender (and spinach)

The humble smoothie can pack a taste punch! It's almost like they have a superhero-like ability to hide the good-for-you veggies inside and we are none the wiser. Check out below a couple of super smoothies we've picked out that only use around 4 ingredients. 

 

Green smoothie circleGreen Goodness

  • 1 large banana

  • 1 1/2 cups vanilla almond milk, unsweetened

  • 3–4 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped

  • 2 cups spinach

Blitz in a blender and enjoy straight away!

 

Peach circleFeeling peachy

  • 2 cups frozen peaches

  • 2 handfuls of spinach

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 tablespoon peeled, minced or grated fresh ginger

  • 1 tablespoon honey + more to taste

Blitz in a blender and enjoy straight away!

 

Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of, or endorsement by, The New Zealand Automobile Association. The New Zealand Automobile Association assumes no responsibility or liability for the products referred to in this article or the content of third party websites linked to in this article.