Let the MUDness Begin!

March is just around the corner and we all know what that means----March MUDness! Throughout the month of March I'll be in Club Mud Monday through Friday between 1:30 p.m.-2 p.m. to snap your muddy moment! Remember, ordinary photos won't do! We are looking for creative and unique, just like our grand prize winner from last year, Christine!

Photographs will be posted daily on the Glen Ivy blog for everyone to enjoy! At the end of each week, we will award a "March MUDness" winner two admission passes! Once we have four weekly winners for the month, it's in your hands to select the grand prize winner by voting on our blog. The grand prize winner will receive two additional admission passes along with two lunch vouchers for their next visit!

So get ready to get muddy and I'll see you in March!

Lymphatic Drainage & Organ Detox

Do the words "drainage" and "organ detox" make you feel a little uneasy? Well you aren't alone because I felt the same way. But after having heard the wonderful, healthful benefits of lymphatic drainage and organ detox, I sat down with Glen Ivy's Primary Massage Therapist Mariah Villalobos to learn more.

Q: What does a lymphatic drainage massage do?
A: Lymphatic drainage is a light massage with a powerful body-wide response. This slow, methodical massage kicks in your parasympathetic nervous system, boosts the immune system, and moves toxins and debris out of your body, promoting regularity.

Q: What is the lymph system?
A: The lymph system is a special component of the circulatory system that is responsible for waste disposal and immune response.

Q: Why is lymphatic drainage massage beneficial?
A: The lymph system does not have a pumping system like our heart, instead lymph (tissue fluid) moves purely from muscular contraction and respiratory movement. Stagnation in the lymph system can result in a variety of health issues including edema, weight gain, poor bowel movements, and disease.

Q: What is Organ Detox?
A: Organ detox is a fabulous addition to lymph drainage, creating the ultimate body cleanse. It is a light massage, similar to lymph drainage, where the abdomen is massaged in a clockwise motion which begins the natural flow of fluids and relaxation.

Q: Who benefits from these types of massages?
A: It's a very positive experience to improve overall health. I'd recommend it for those looking to cleanse the body, promote weight loss, and boost the immune system, and also for those that have just started a new diet or exercise routine, for those experiencing poor bowel movements or suffering from chronic illness.

Q: What Glen Ivy services would you recommend?
A: You would want to book an 80 minute Custom Massage. Make sure that you communicate when making the reservation that you would like Lymphatic Drainage so we can place you with the appropriate therapist and also continue the open communication with your therapist regarding your current health situation and goals.

Make sure and stop by the Winter Lounge at the Hot Springs on Saturday, February 27 at 1:00pm to listen to Mariah go more in depth about improving health and wellness through massage .

Q&A with Author Phyllis Pilgrim

Author Phyllis Pilgrim will be joining us at Glen Ivy Hot Springs on Thursday, February 25. Join us at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Winter Lounge as Phyllis shares her amazing story. Until then, here's a little bit more about our friend Phyllis including her philosophy on life and three things she can't live without...

Q: What made you decide to write a book about your experience?
A: To better understand my adult choices and behaviors infuenced by the war years and to leave a legacy for my son and granddaughter.....it's a verbal history and memoir.

Q: What is your philosophy on life?
A: To have my doingness come out of my beingness that in turn comes from a place of love; to know who I am and live positively.

AWhat are 3 things that you can’t live without?
A: Love, friendship and positive work.

Q: Have you always been interested in Yoga and the spa atmosphere?
A: Yes since the age of 15 when my mother introduced me to yoga back in 1951, and the Rancho la Puerta experience for the spa experience since 1981, although I lived a wholistic life before that in both London and Barbados.

Q: What is it that draws you to yoga?
A: The completeness of the overall practices of body, mind and spirit interwoven into one harmonious whole.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A: "To do what I love" given to me by a doctor friend of my parents when I was 14 years old.

Q: Do you have a personal motto to live by or a favorite quote?
A: "May the beauty that you love be the beauty that you do, there are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth" - Rumi.

Q: What inspires you?
A: When ordinary people do extraordinary things ....and also The Dalai Lama inspires me.

Tasty Treats for your Sweetie

Valentine's Day wouldn't be complete without...CHOCOLATE! In honor of the day of love, Glen Ivy's own Chef Bill gave me one of his favorite chocolate recipes--Chocolate Cream Cheese Truffles. These little sweet and savory bites of heaven are sure to make your Valentine melt!

Chocolate Cream Cheese Truffles

(Yields 48 servings)

Ingredients:

1 cup Semisweet Chocolate cut into small pieces

8 ounces Neufchatel Nonfat Cream Cheese

1/2 cup Cocoa Powder

3 cups Powdered Sugar

Method:

Step #1: Melt chocolate over bain-marie and set aside. Soften Neufchatel in mixer and slowly add chocolate. Once combined, add cocoa powder and sugar and mix until a stiff dough forms.

Step #2: Scoop into 1/2 ounce portions onto a sheet pan and roll in desired toppings below. Chill 30 minutes before serving.

Cal: 70; Fat: 2.5 g

Meet Phyllis Pilgrim

Author Phyllis Pilgrim will be joining us at Glen Ivy Hot Springs on Thursday, February 25 to share her compelling story about her childhood experiences as a prisoner of war during WWII in Java with her mother and brother in Japanese internment camps for women and children. Join us at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Winter Lounge as Phyllis shares her story of survival and courage, answers questions, and tells how her early experiences provided the insight to shape her adult life and career choices.

Glen Ivy will be featuring Phyllis' book The Hidden Passport, My Childhood Journey Through Japanese Concentration Camps in Java for sale in our retail store. Be sure to stop by to meet Phyllis and hear her amazing story.

Phyllis is currently a yoga instructor at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico, where she also teaches and directs the "Specialty and Spirit Week" programs. For more information about Phyllis and her book, please visit her website at http://www.phyllispilgrim.com/.

A Proposal in Paradise

Once upon a time there was a man named Alex and a woman named Cynthia. A few weeks ago Alex called Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa to arrange the perfect proposal in paradise. Yesterday was the big day and Alex had everything planned - they enjoyed time together in their cabana, ate lunch, and then Cynthia enjoyed a pedicure and manicure (so she could show off her new sparkly ring later with perfectly polished nails - Alex was so thoughtful!). While the couple was enjoying their Grotto experience, the cabana staff sprinkled rose petals around the cabana and set up the champagne and chocolate covered strawberries just the way Alex had wanted. When they arrived back at their cabana Cynthia was pleasantly surprised as Alex proposed. And she said YES! We are so excited for Alex and Cynthia and we were thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful moment in their love story.

Do you have a Glen Ivy love story? Please share by leaving a comment below!

If you want to plan a special day for two at the spa, please give us a call at 888-GLEN IVY.

Do You Know How to Brow?

If eyes are the windows to the soul then eyebrows are the frames. Creating a brow shape that is right for your face shape and the kind of eyebrow you have to work with is key to achieving a polished look. Most of us are nervous about attempting to shape our own brows, so consulting with a professional about shape, color, size, and maintenance will ensure that you achieve the look you want.

On Saturday, Febraury 6 at Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona, we'll have a "How to Brow" event with appointments from 11-4 so you can get a one-on-one consultation with a pro. The cost to reserve an appointment is $10, which can be applied toward any gloTherapeutics or gloMinerals purchase (like maybe a new brow kit or brush?).

I sat down with Glen Ivy Skincare Product Specialist, Justyne Balthazor, to get some insight into the brow shaping and here's what I learned:

Q:Why should I get my eyebrows waxed/shaped?
A: Since your eyebrows frame your face, well formed eyebrows will help to balance the face while accentuating the eyes. You want your brows to compliment your face and best features not to distract from them. [But hey, why not make your brows your best feature?!]

Q: How often do I need to get my eyebrows waxed/shaped?
A: You can tweeze unwanted hairs inbetween waxings, but don't go overboard. Maintain their shape by seeing a professional every 2-3 weeks. Consider it part of your beauty routine, just like regular haircuts, color, and mani/pedi appointments.

Q: Should brow waxing be done before or after a facial?
A: You should have your eyebrows or any other facial waxing done before your facial. This will ensure that you receive maximum benefit from the products used in your facial service.

Q:What is the difference between tweezing and waxing?
A: Waxing is more effective for shaping the brow. Waxing will remove even the smallest of hairs and will help you acheive a cleaner look. Don't put those tweezers away yet, though - keep them around for getting rid of stray hairs.

Q: Why do I break out around my eyebrows after I get them waxed?
A:Waxing pulls the hair directly from its follicle. The absent hair leaves an open follicle that is susceptible to oil and bacteria. A day or two after your service, I suggest using a light exfoliant like gloTherapeutics Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub.

Justyne also suggests that the shape of your brow stay as natural as possible and that the distance between your brows should be equal to the size of one of your eyes.

Do you have any other brow related questions? Let us know and we'll ask the expert.