March 2012

DiscoverSpas.com Newsletter

  

"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities."

~ Eda J. Le Shan ~ 

 

 

 myspashop
  mySpaShop 

 
Greetings!

Last month was a milestone for me. I became a grandmother - twice! Both my daughter and son became parents to baby girls 8 days apart. They are both healthy and beautiful. We are blessed.
Isobel ZenSophia Marie 
Halfway between the births, I received 21 Days: A Menu for Life Balance from Karen Elizaga, lifestyle coach and founder of Forward Options. I thought I could use a little rebalancing now as well as the new parents. I think it's a simple and effective tool and am happy to share it with you. Thanks, Karen!

 

I hear it from clients all the time. They're tired. Life feels unbalanced. There isn't enough time for fun, relaxation or connecting with friends or loved ones. They think about it. They wish for more time. They covet energy and happiness. But they can't quite figure it out.

 

Here's a fairly simple menu for balance, energy and happiness. Your assignment is to choose at least one appetizer and one main course off of this menu for everyday of the next 21. Don't underestimate the Appetizers. Appetizers have tremendous power, but the excellent thing about them is that they don't require you to carve out any extra time from your day. For the Main Courses, at the beginning of every week (at the latest), it's best to plan your choices to ensure that you fit what you want to in!

 

Make your selections. And see what balance you feel and energy and happiness you sense at the end of three weeks. I promise, people around you will notice, too! It's a matter of carving out and doing a little planning so that you can stop wishing and coveting this balance.

 

Appetizers:

  • Gratitude: the second you wake up in the morning, run through a list of things for which you're grateful in your life - from the tiny to the big.
  • Love: the second you wake up in the morning, take an inventory of all the reasons you love yourself.
  • Breath: throughout the day, take time to pay attention and breathe deeply - maybe even close your eyes as you do it.
  • Posture: throughout the day, straighten up your posture - the way you hold your body has a direct correlation to your mood (if you're slumped over, you'll feel shlumpy; if you're standing and sitting erect, your energy has an open super highway to course through).
  • Smile: at points throughout the day, smile, whether you are alone or not - a smile can trick your body into actually believing there is happiness in there.

Main Courses:

  • Nutrition: this one is a key one that will give you energy, and best if you pick it every single day if you can swing it - ditch all processed and fast foods and sugary treats and drinks (yes, that includes straight up white bread), and see what happens when you eat mostly organic... if you do this everyday, you will be stunned at your glow even before the end of 21 days!
  • Exercise: at least three times during the week, make time to break a sweat (cleansing you in all the places that a shower can't get).
  • No: such a small and simple word is sometimes the most difficult thing to say - draw the line and say no in favor of (a) personal time, (b) time for exercise, (c) time for family, (d) intimacy, or (e) all of the above.
  • Date Night: at least one time during the week, whether you're in a relationship or not, carve out time for connection with the person/people you love.
  • BFF Time: at least one time during the week, book a lunch, tea or manicure with a girlfriend who's got your back, makes you laugh and loves to listen (and to whom you love to listen).
  • Dancing: especially if you find yourself stretched and unable to make a Main Course choice for any given day, just turn up your favorite music on iTunes and just dance.

Bonus point! if you're really ambitious, make time once a week for another Main Course. If there's anything you've been wanting to try or thinking about, whether it's a spin class, a particular vegan restaurant or a new shop, do it! Make that call and book it.

 

In the rest of this month's newsletter, you'll find:

Other regular features in this newsletter and on the DiscoverSpas.com web site include:

Wishing you wonder, hope and a dream of possibilities,

Julie Register

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aThe Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada

A Spa Review

 by Julie Register

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las VegasI stopped in at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental in the non-gaming Mandarin Oriental hotel in Las Vegas after a day at the ISPA conference. I was free earlier than I had expected, so I decided to spend the extra time at the spa. This spa is the perfect spa for that. I soaked in the vitality pool that overlooks Las Vegas Boulevard, I enjoyed the laconium, steam room, experience showers, heated lounges and more. I also had a wonderful treatment. Read about my experience at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. 

 

~Julie
 
art2Creekside Resort and Hunter Springs - Two stops on my Driving Tour of the Historic Springs of the Virginias
A Spa Review
by Julie Register
Creekside
We used Creekside Resort & Spa as our home base while we visited many destinations on our tour of the historic springs of the Virginias - Sweet Chalybeate Springs, Sweet Springs, Salt Sulphur Springs, Red Sulphur Springs and Pence Springs. We also took a side trip to Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory on nearby Peters Mountain. Kelley, one of the owners, was a great help with local information and provided us "The Springs Trail" map. While we enjoyed our day trips, it was very nice to come back to Creekside late in the afternoon. It was also very nice to have a massage at Creekside Spa. Read about our experience at Creekside Resort & Spa.
~Julie 

Hunter SpringsWhile staying at Creekside Resort & Spa, Kelley, one of the owners of the resort, mentioned that Hunter Springs was located on the property adjoining Creekside and that there had been a hotel there many years ago. In fact, they had considered naming Creekside's spa after it. She thought that we might want to talk to the current owner, Joe Thomas. She said he knew a lot about the history of the area. I gave Mr. Thomas a call, and he invited us to stop by the next morning.  
~Julie 


~Julie
OnMyMindON MY MIND: I wish they wanted to know

Just My Opinion 

by Julie Register

dirty drainI wish they wanted to know...I told the spa director about standing water in the steam room. She said there was nothing she could do about it. I didn't tell her about the other problems I encountered in her spa. Why bother? She didn't ask and didn't want to know. I wish she was the only one who hasn't asked me for feedback. Sadly, of the hundreds of spas that I have been to, the vast majority don't ask - I'd guess over 95%. Knowledge is power. If they don't ask, they can't know what their guests know. If they don't know what their guests know, they can't take action to fix the problems that the Guests have encountered. Are they afraid to know the truth? Do they not want to know? Do they simply not care? Do they believe the only problem is their Guest? Read more...
~Julie
  
 Spa Sweepstakes and Contests
Win Trips to Spas!
Be sure to enter the contests that end in March for a chance to win:  

  • A trip for 2 to Findland including round-trip flights, hotel accommodations for 4-nights, spa treatment for two at Kamp Spa and a  year's supply of Lumene products.

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  • A $12,400, 5 day/4 night trip to the Red Mountain Resort in Ivins, Utah including airfare; transfers to and from airport to hotel; 5-day/4-night deluxe accommodations for 2 at the Red Mountain Resort; 3 days of specially created SHAPE nutritional meals and tastings for 2; a spa/salon package for 2; three special activities for 2; and $2,500 that may be used for additional transportation, meals, or other expenses of winner's choice.
     
  • A $9,700, 4-Night stay at Golden Door + Dr. Wendy Nutrition Plan. During the four-night getaway for two at the prestigious Golden Door Spa in Escondido, California, the winner and a guest will enjoy a four-night stay in private accommodations with three private in-room massages, one herbal wrap, two skincare appointments, a choice of a manicure or pedicure. Also included is a customized Golden Door fitness program with a personal fitness counselor and gourmet spa cuisine, including three meals and two snacks a day. After a refreshing, restoring and luxurious trip to Golden Door, Dr. Wendy and Spa Week are giving one lucky winner a prize package to continue their healthy weight-loss journey at home. The prize package includes a copy of Dr. Wendy's bestselling book, The Superfoods Rx Diet: Lose Weight with the Power of SuperNutrients, a personalized nutritional counseling program designed by Dr. Wendy specifically for the winner and $100 in Spa & Wellness Gift Cards by Spa Week to relax body and mind at his/her choice of over 5,000 spas nationwide. NOTE: Airfare, tax and service charge are not included.
     
  • A $2,000+, 2 nights' stay in a one-Bedroom Penthouse located within HOTEL32 within the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, limousine service to and from the Hotel and McCarran International Airport upon arrival and departure, a $200.00 credit at The Spa at Monte Carlo, and a $200.00 food and beverage credit to be used at the Hotel. 
     
  • a $17,000 Napa Valley Excursion that includes rountrip airfare to San Francisco on American Airlines; Car service to/from luxury accommodation; Welcome reception at esteemed vineyard; Spa time for two (up to $1,000); Lunch overlooking vineyards of Napa Valley; Private tour of the wine capital of North America; Exclusive tastings at premier vineyards; Dinner with a world-class wine maker; $2,500 MasterCard® gift card; Home wine cellar unit awaiting your wine purchases. OR on of two other prizes in Paris or NYC.
     
  • One of four prizes worth up to $10,000:
    1. A romantic retreat to Canyons Resort which includes:
     
    • * 3 days of skiing and equipment rentals at Canyons Resort
    * Private ski lesson for two  
    * 3 nights at Waldorf Astoria Park City in a one-bedroom suite
    * Couples spa treatment at Golden Door Spa
    * Horse-drawn sleigh ride throughout Canyons Resort and the Wasatch Mountains
    * Lunch daily at Red Tail Grill at Canyons; dinner at the award-winning Talisker on Main in Old Town Park City, and The Farm at Canyons Resort
    * Two round-trip economy class air tickets to Salt Lake City International Airport from U.S. destinations
    * Round-trip airport transfers from Salt Lake City International Airport to Park City
    ARV: $3,660.00.
    2. A 5-day/4-night trip for two (2) to Panama City including:
    * roundtrip economy air transportation
    * 4 nights' accommodations at the Trump Ocean Club Panama for 2 adults in a luxury Executive Suite
    * a tour for two of Panama City
    * an excursion for two to Casco Antiguo
    * an excursion for two to Panama Viejo
    * 1 dinner for two at Tejas; an excursion for two through the Panama Canal
    * 1 spa treatment for 2
    * 1 day's admission to the hotel's private beach club in Isla Viveros
    * ground transportation to and from the Panama City airport and hotel.
    ARV: $10,000.00.
    3. A 7-day/6-night trip for 2 to Switzerland including:
    * roundtrip economy air transportation for two
    * 3 nights' accommodations at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa
    * breakfast and dinner for 2 each day at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa
    * a spa treatment for 2 (choice between an authentic Swiss Alpine herb poultice massage by ESPA or A silk celebration for the face by Sensai) at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel; two (2)
    * 2 Jungfrau Railways VIP-Tickets (unlimited travel on Jungfrau Railways network includes one trip to the Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe)
    * 3 nights' accommodations at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
    * 1 spa treatment for two (2) at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
    * 2 three day passes for use of the mountain railways and cable cars;
    * 2 first class Swiss Passes for use on the Swiss Travel System.
    ARV : $10,000.00.
    4. Winner will receive a 9-day/8-night trip for two (2) to Belize including
    * roundtrip air transportation
    * 5 nights' accommodations at the Victoria House Resort
    * a massage for 2
    * a snorkeling experience for 2 at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley
    * daily breakfast lunch and dinner for 2
    * 1 private candlelight dinner for 2 at the hotel pool or beach
    * unlimited use of the hotel kayaks
    * 3 nights' accommodations at the Coco Beach Resort.
    ARV: $9,600.00.
     
      

    Best Spa Lists

     

    booksSpa Books Being Published in March...

      

    Milady Fundamentals Milady Standard Esthetics Fundamentals, 11th edition, is the essential source for basic esthetics training. This new edition builds upon Milady's strong tradition of providing students and instructors with the best beauty and wellness education tools for their future. The rapidly expanding field of esthetics has taken a dramatic leap forward in the past decade, and this up-to-date text plays a critical role in creating a strong foundation for the esthetics student. Focusing on introductory topics, including history and opportunities in skin care, anatomy and physiology, and infection control and disorders, it lays the groundwork for the future professional to build their knowledge. The reader can then explore the practical skills of a skin care professional, introducing them to the treatment environment, basic facial treatments, hair removal, and the technology likely to be performed in the salon or spa setting.

     

     "Holistic" has become an umbrella term for a wide array of therapeutic systems, encompassing natural health, emotional healing, and spirituality. The Holistic Therapy Bible sorts them out, making it easy for readers to find the ones that fit their own specific needs. Encyclopedic in scope--from acupuncture to zero-balancing--with a practical exercise or tip on virtually every page, it demystifies a complex subject for anyone seeking a healthier, happier life.

     

     



    National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs: The World's Most Effective Healing PlantsNational Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs: The World's Most Effective Healing Plants

    by Tieraona Low Dog, Rebecca L. Johnson, Steven Foster and David Kiefer
     There is a world of health and healing all around you--in your spice rack, your backyard, and on the shelves of health food and grocery stores. This informative guide is a reference you will keep at the ready, connecting 72 of the world's most common and useful medicinal herbs with the body systems they help and heal.

     

     

    by Milady  




    Books may be purchased through Amazon.com by clicking on the above links.  
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