I have written about bathing before, but it's time to revisit the pleasure and luxury of bath time. Up until a few months ago, I had never used my bathtub for anything more than a vessel for a daily shower. Now I've turned my tub into a veritable hydrotherapy spa. I've stocked my shelves with a variety of irresistible essential oil bath treatments and even as the warm months approach I continue to bathe — just in cooler water.

Currently, my favorite bath time treat is Dr. Hauschka's Spruce Bath. Spruce relaxes the mind and spirit and the Norway spruce used in Hauschka's concoction also encourages deep breathing and is excellent for periods of emotional and/or physical exhaustion. The oil also infuses vitality to pale, worn out skin and offers relief for colds and respiratory conditions.

Another divine German bath enhancement — the Germans excel at creating a soothing, organic bath — is Kneipp's (pronounced "K-nipe") Sparkling Rosemary Bath Tablet. Like an herbal Alka-seltzer for the bath, the tablet turns ordinary water into an aromatherapy vacation.

The ultimate finale to bath time is an essential oil rubdown. Weleda's Wild Rose Body Oil is my spring moisturizer of choice. The organic oil contains essence of rosa mosqueta and jojoba and sweet almond oils. For those who choose not to smell like a rose — albeit a delicate and exquisitely scented rose — Weleda's Citrus Body Oil is a refreshing alternative. Weleda has mastered the body oil. They go on smooth and silky and absorb quickly.