Healing Through Loving-Kindness Practice: A Visit From Bhante Sujatha

On May 6 Bhante Sujatha, a Buddhist monk from the Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock, IL, will be visiting Glen Ivy Hot Springs to teach guests a yoga and meditation class. Sujatha, a Buddhist monk for over 30 years, has taught around the globe to those wishing to learn the art of happiness and contentment through meditation. The teaching is centered around the cultivation of self love and the activities include: "What is Loving-Kindness?" and how to practice it.

Some other benefits of this beautiful workshop include:

• Reduced stress, anxiety, worry, and depression
• Healing and enhancing relationships with others
• Gaining a sense of empowerment over challenging issues in your life
• Insights into your life purpose
• Awakening to the blessings of the present moment
• Attaining unshakable inner peace

Make sure you join Bhante Sujatha for a Yoga class at 10am followed by a meditation class at 11am on May 6 at Glen Ivy Hot Springs. Bhante believes his purpose is to not only teach Meditation but also to "teach people how to be happy." For more information on Bhante and the Blue Lotus Temple click here.

A Delicious Cinco De Mayo Salsa Recipe

Looking for a salsa this Cinco De Mayo that's not only delicious but healthy too? Well look no further! Glen Ivy's own Chef Bill provided us with his Three Chili Salsa which lends a delicious and zesty jump to your menu this 5th of May. So break open that bag of chips and whip up this festive salsa! It's sure to put you in the fiesta mood!

Three Chili Salsa

Makes: 10 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

1 chile del arbol

2 chile anchos, seeded and stemmed

1 chile negra, seeded and stemmed

10 tomatillos, husks removed

1/2 cup water

2 garlic cloves

1/4 teaspoons ground cumin

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Sea salt to taste

Step 1: Heat a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan. Add the onion and chilies. Cook to toast the chilies, about 3 minutes. Remove chilies from pan and add the tomatillos, water and garlic. Cook for 15 minutes to soften the tomatillos.

Step 2: Place the tomatillos, chilies, cumin and cilantro into a blender. Pulse 10 seconds until salsa is chunky. Season to taste with salt.

10 Easy Ways to Go Green

It's the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and here at Glen Ivy we try and go green whenever possible. Going green helps to reduce your impact on the environment and if you aren't already doing your part, today is the perfect day to start! Here are some little ways to go green but that will make a big change!

Paperless Bills. Do all of your billing online. Just check with your bill companies to sign up!

Turn Off Lights When You Leave a Room. Try opening up those blinds or curtains to let natural light in.

Fix Leaky Faucets. You would be surprised how much water gets wasted by a leaky faucet. Another way to conserve water--turn off water while you brush your teeth.

Get a Reusable Water Bottle. Grab an inexpensive reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic disposable bottles. Just purchase a water filter for your refrigerator or sink and you'll be set! Check out The Story of Bottled Water for some interesting facts!

Unplug Unused Appliances/Electronics. Try plugging all electronics into a power strip and switch the whole thing off when they aren't in use. This helps prevent "phantom" energy use and can save you up to $200 a year!

Take Shorter Showers. Not only will this lower your water bill, but it will lower your heating bill too!

Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances. Even just switching to one helps! Just look for the "energy star" label.

Install Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. CFL's consume 75% less electricity and last up to 10 times longer!

Use Reusable Bags. Pick some up bags you can use over and over again for shopping trips.

Recycle Electronics. Donate or recycle when it's time to say bye-bye to your electronics. E-waste contains mercury and other toxins that are hazardous to the Earth.

Remember, even the smallest actions can have lasting environmental effects.

Tell us how you've gone green!

5 Stress Relieving Strategies to Help You Enjoy Life

Everyone can use a little less stress in their life, but reducing stress always seems easier said then done--until now! Here are our top five ways to relieve stress and help you enjoy life. Whether you try just one or all five, we're sure you'll notice a more relaxed body and mind:

Meditate.When practicing meditation, your heart rate and breathing slow down, your blood pressure normalizes, you use oxygen more efficiently, you sweat less, your mind clears, and your creativity increases. People who meditate regularly find it easier to give up life-damaging like smoking, drinking and drugs.

Yoga. Virtually everyone can see physical benefits from yoga, but its practice also has some psychological benefits such as stress reduction and a sense of well being. Certain poses can be done just about anywhere and a yoga program can go for hours or minutes depending on your schedule.

Get a Dog or Cat. Recent research shows that, when conducting a task that's stressful, people actually experienced less stress when their pets were with them than when a supportive friend or even their spouse was present!

Take a Cheap Vacation. Here are come creative ideas:

• Take a Quiet Day: Take a full day without answering your phone or connecting to the Internet. This will help you disconnect from the stresses and demands from your daily life, allowing you to relax.


• Be a Hotel Guest: It can be surprisingly relaxing to stay in a nearby hotel. Basically, you are escaping from the constant reminder of the work that needs to be done at home. Turn off that cell phone, close those thick drapes, and sleep in as late as you want!


• Visit a Day Spa: If you can't afford the time or money that it would cost you to go on a traditional vacation, you can spend a fraction of the money a few hours at a day spa getting a heavenly massage that will leave your body relaxed and your mind clear.
  

Good Nutrition. Here's how to combat stress with good nutrition.

• Eat Breakfast-Skipping breakfast makes it harder to maintain stable blood sugar levels and effective functioning during your busy morning; you need it!


• Opt for Green Tea-You can reduce your stress levels and improve mental performance by weaning yourself off of caffeine. An easy way to do this is to replace coffee with decaffeinated Green Tea.


• Try Sparkling Juice or Perrier-Both are a more healthful alternative to coffee. You'll still get a refreshing treat but you'll be adding water to your system!

What do you do to help relieve stress? Please share your stress-relieving tips with us!

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 .

Jumpstart Your Resolution with a Healthy Recipe

The New Year is underway and that means that those resolutions you made are in effect! If you're worried about sticking to your resolution of eating healthy or staying fit have no fear, our own Chef Bill is here to help keep you on track with some healthy recipes that you're sure to enjoy--like this recipe for Kashmir Apple and Cucumber Salad!

Kashmir Apple and Cucumber Salad

(Yields 6 servings)

Ingredients:

2 English cucumbers, peel only [1] and chop both in large dice
1 Granny Smith apple core and dice large
1 Red delicious apple core and dice large
1/2 cup red grapes, washed and stemmed
1/2 cup green seedless grapes, washed and stemmed
2 tablespoons fresh mint chiffonade


1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 plain non-fat yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange blossom honey
2 tablespoons of walnuts
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 tablespoons fresh mint chiffonade

Method:

Prepare the first 6 ingredients and place in a bowl. Place the remaining ingredients for the dressing in a blender to combine and toss together with the cucumber mix. Serve immediately or refrigerate and chill for an hour before service.

Stay tuned for more of Chef Bill's recipes to keep you healthy and fit throughout 2010!

Reasons to Visit Glen Ivy During Winter

It's officially the first day of winter, Christmas is just days away and the New Year is right around the corner. As the chillier winter weather begins to settle in here in Southern California, I often find myself struggling to leave the warm comfort of my home but many of our guests claim that now is the best time to be at the spa. Here are a few of our favorite reasons to visit the spa in the winter:

-With the cool weather, the hot spas feel even more relaxing

-There are fewer people than in the summer

-A massage and a soak is the best way to beat the stress of the holiday

-The Grotto body treatment is perfect with dry winter skin

-Things seem to move a little slower here, making it the perfect escape from everyday stress

So whether you are trying to unwind after the holidays, getting ready for the New Year, or simply treating yourself to a day of relaxation, we hope to see you soaking in one of our spas during this fabulous winter season!

Celebrate the Holidays with Recipes From Chef Bill

As I sit down to think of ideas for the various holiday meals that will be happening over the next few months, I often find myself in a "food rut." Sure there are the classic dishes that usually grace the table for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but who wants to eat the same thing every year? Glen Ivy's Executive Chef, Bill Wavrin, provided me with some of his best holiday recipes to try out this season--Cranberry Chutney and Orange Scented Sweet Potatoes with Oranges. From Chef Bill's kitchen to yours...enjoy!

Cranberry Chutney
(Yield: 6 1/2 cups)

Ingredients:

8 cups fresh cranberries
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
2 cups fresh squeezed Orange juice
4 cups water
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
6 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Method:

Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat with the cranberries and apples and cook until cranberries start to crack (about 2 minutes). Add the remaining ingredients and simmer until cranberries have broken down and chutney is starting to thicken (25 minutes). Season with the brown sugar to taste.

Add to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. It is better overnight so the flavors can marry. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Per 1/4 cup: Calories 40; Protein 0g; Total Fat 0g; Carbohydrate 9g; Dietary Fiber 2g; Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 0mg.

Orange Scented Sweet Potatoes with Oranges

(Yields: 8 servings)

Ingredients:

2 pounds of sweet potatoes
6 cups fresh orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 orange sliced

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Wash the sweet potatoes and trim 1/4 inch off of the ends. Cut sweet potatoes in half. In a small bowl mix the orange juice with the cinnamon and vanilla.

Place the sweet potatoes in an oven proof dish and pour the juice and top with the orange slices. Cover with lid or foil and place into the hot oven and back for 50 minutes or until the sweet potatoes have cooked through and are tender. Serve hot or cold as a side dish for breakfast or for quick energy.

Q & A: Ask the Esthetician Part 2

Last week I sat down with our primary esthetician here at the Hot Springs to answer some of the most commonly asked questions from guests about basic skincare. This week we turned to Linda again to get some more answers to questions about peels, eye creams, and serums.

Q: What is a peel?
A: A peel is a chemical, herbal or enzyme exfoliation of the epidermis. Peels help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve texture, even skin tone, and treat acne and dehydrated skin conditions. The level of exfoliation ranges from very superficial to aggressive, so talk to your esthetician about your skin care concerns and desired results to help determine the right peel for you. There's a great article on Spa Magazine's website if you want to learn more about peels.

Q: Eye creams are so expensive - do I really need one?
A: Your eyes are the quickest area to show signs of aging so it is important that you do use an eye cream. At Glen Ivy, we use and recommend GloTherapeutics' gloEye Restore - it contains green tea which acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps reduce puffiness caused by fluid retention. It also contains Vitamin K and A to diminish dark undereye circles and crows feet. Not all eye creams are expensive, either, so shop around and find one you like. GloEye Restore is $36 and will last about 4-5 months.

Q: How can I repair my skin after sun exposure and damage?
A: Heal your skin first with an anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. To correct the damage, you need a combination of peels and a professional skin care regimen to do the trick. Consult and esthetician or dermatologist.

Q: What products do I need to add to my skin care routine as my skin matures?
A: You need to add products that exfoliate to encourage cell turnover. Look for products that contain peptides, retinol, and/or alpha hydroxy acids in them.

Q: Are serums necessary in my skin care regimen?
A: Yes! Serums pack the biggest anti-aging and treatment punch. Use a serum if you want to preserve, change or correct any issues with your skin. Serums are the most concentrated piece in a skin care line and will help you achieve the results you're looking to see.

A big thank you to Linda for answering all of our skin-related questions! Make sure to check out our Pomegranate Enzyme Facial available November 1-30 and our Winterberry Facial available December 1-31. If you have more questions, we have more answers - feel free to comment below!

Q & A: Ask the Esthetician

Before I began working in Social Media I worked in the Spa Salon at the Hot Springs. I often overheard conversations the estheticians had with guests regarding facials and skincare. Knowing that we all have questions and concerns about our skin (after all, we all want to look great), I sat down with an esthetician to get some answers about the most commonly asked questions.

Linda Stamp, Primary Esthetician,
Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa

Q: How often should I be getting a facial?
A: Once a month is ideal so we can do a deeper cleanse and a skin analysis to keep you on track. Most importantly, we'll make sure your routine at home is consistent with your skincare needs and that the products that you are using will achieve your desired results.

Q: What products do I need to be using?
A: Everyone needs a good cleanser, exfoliant and moisturizer. Your cleanser and exfoliant will remove makeup, oil and dead skin to prep for your moisturizer. In turn, your skin will be ready for a more even makeup application.

Q: My pores are really large, can I shrink them?
A: Pore size is genetic, that's what give us our particular skin type (i.e. dry, combination, oily) but the good news is we can make them look smaller! Exfoliating will refine the pore and keep it clear. Scrubs, retinol products and peels will also help pores look smaller. (We'll talk more about peels next week!)

Q: What's the best way to get rid of clogged pores and blackheads on your nose and upper cheeks at home?
A: The best way to get rid of clogged pores and keep them clear is exfoliating. Getting regular facials that include extractions will help rid the pore of congestion; at home using a product with salicylic acid such as gloPurifying Gel Cleanser will help the cells of the epidermis to shed more readily, preventing the pores from clogging.

Next week Linda will be back to answer more questions about peels, eye creams, and serums. Stay tuned and if you have any questions for Linda, post away!

Slow Up

When recently prompted with a question of ways that spas are helping people slow down in their busy lives, Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa Founder John C. Gray gave the following response:

"I'm a naturally enthusiastic guy, and I can't tell you how many times over the years family, friends, business colleagues, and even strangers have suggested I slow down. I always resisted the idea, and some time ago I finally got that it wasn't about the 'slow' part of the suggestion. It was about the 'down.'

As a kid growing up in suburban New York we boys loved riding our bikes on a narrow asphalt path in a strip of trees we called 'the woods' parallel to Wantagh Parkway. We’d pedal as fast as our ten-year-old legs could go, and I was pretty fast. Whenever I was way out ahead, Doug or George or Dick would yell, 'Hey! Slow up!'

Slow up. Now there’s a message I don’t resist. There’s no down about it! Slow up and let things you rushed by catch up with you. Slow up and feel the breeze in your face. Slow up and see the path ahead as something welcoming, inviting, and not as a race to win. Who wants down when you can be up?

Our long-established vision statement at Glen Ivy Hot Springs is “elevating life experience.” I believe there’s a natural buoyancy in people, and whenever we stop holding on to what’s holding us down, up we go! And slow up. It’s the best way to go."

I really enjoyed hearing John narrate these words to me, especially as I continue to learn and put into practice the principles of spa as a lifestyle - making time for myself, enjoying the company of friends and family, and doing things that are good and good for me.

I hope these words spoke to you too and, hey, slow up.

A Delicious Dish for YOU!

Glen Ivy's Executive Chef, Bill Wavrin, recently hosted a cooking demo where he re-created one of his delicious dishes for a large crowd!-- Hummus with Roasted Garlic and Toasted Pitas! Just saying it makes my mouth water ...

Here's Chef in action ...

The final product ...

Here's the recipe for those of you who want to give it a try!

Hummus with Roasted Garlic and Toasted Pitas

Garbanzos or chickpeas, like most beans, are a great source of cholesterol-lowering fiber. In addition, garbanzos' high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making these beans a perfect choice for those with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. When combined with whole grains such as rice, garbanzos provide virtually fat-free high quality protein. But this is far from what all garbanzos have to offer. Garbanzos are an excellent source of the trace mineral, molybdenum, an integral component of the enzyme sulfite oxidase, which is responsible for detoxifying sulfites. Sulfites are a type of preservative commonly added to prepared foods like delicatessen salads and salad bars. If sulfites are unwittingly consumed, persons who are sensitive to sulfites in these foods may experience rapid heartbeat, headache or disorientation. If you have ever reacted to sulfites, it may be because your molybdenum stores are insufficient to detoxify them.

Yield: 3 cups

Ingredients:

2 cup garbanzo beans cooked
4 cloves roasted garlic
3 tablespoon lemon
2 tablespoons fresh parley
1 tablespoon tahini or sesame seeds
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Method:

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth. Season to taste. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to [1] week.

Per 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) serving:
Calories 28; Protein 2g; Total Fat .5g; Saturated Fat 0g; Carbohydrates 4g; Dietary Fiber 1g; Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 65mg

Enjoy!!

Valencia Anniversary Spa Party

Imagine this—it’s Saturday evening in Valencia, California. You are making your way towards the music, passing Birds of Paradise, palm trees and exotic flowers. You reach the door and are welcomed by flashing lights and friendly faces. It’s paradise after dark …

Join us as we celebrate the 4 year anniversary of Glen Ivy Day Spa, Valencia on Saturday, June 27th, '09 from 5 – 8 p.m. Not only are we commemorating the 4th anniversary of our Day Spa but we are also celebrating YOU for making this event possible!

Get glō-ing as we launch our new glōtherapeutics skincare line with complimentary skin scanner consultations, product samples and a chance to win a glōtherapeutics gift basket valued at $230!

Your visit to paradise after dark will also include chair massages, hand treatments, foot soaks, spa tours, refreshments, and hors d'oeuvres.

Be sure to arrive early! Not only do the first 25 people receive complimentary Grotto treatments but we hear that some feathered friends might be making a special appearance. Who would want to miss that?

We look forward to seeing you! Glen Ivy Day Spa at the Valencia Town Center, 24320 Town Center Drive #100, Valencia, CA 91355. Feel free to extend the invite to friends and family!

Click here to RSVP!

Glen Ivy's Going Green in the Grotto

In honor of Earth Day, we want you to SHOW and TELL us how you are GOING GREEN!

Meet us in The Grotto from 2pm - 2:45pm, April 20th - 24th for your chance to win a Glen Ivy Gift Basket full of product and passes. Once you're painted green, share your best tips for green living and we'll post your photo and quote right here! The contest winner will be announced on Friday, April 24th.

We had some green guests stop by today to share with us ways that they try to make the world a better place. Check out our evironmentally-friendly guests below!

Mark and his guest

"We recycle and reuse!"

Debbie and her guests

"We put coffee grounds in our plants. They help to fertilize them and

they are especially good to roses!"Betty

"I recycle, and then with all the green I get for recycling, I recycle some more!"

Carmen and her guest
Tip for GOING GREEN: "Shower Together!"
Janet
"I ALWAYS recycle!"

I will see you all tomorrow-- same time, same place. And remember, sometimes you just GOTTA GROTTO! (try saying that 10 times fast!)

More Stress-reducing Tips from Glen Ivy Professionals

We hope everyone is having a stress-free April! Here are a few more stress-reducing tips for you to use in your daily life:

Take a mental break. Sometimes a minute of peace and quiet will do the trick. If you are getting stressed and overwhelmed, stop what you are doing and go outside. Often times a change of scenery will calm you down.

Turn on some tunes. It is said that the right music can lower blood pressure, relax your body and calm your mind. So if your stress level is reaching its high point, find some music that will put you at ease.

Laugh with a friend. Smiling can sometimes make us feel happy and relaxed. So call that friend that you know can put a smile across your face!

Create a mantra. Coming up with a short, positive statement can help you to center yourself. For example, when your life seems to be a catastrophe, saying “I am strong,” ten times might put you at ease.

Read a good book. Putting your mind into an activity as peaceful as reading a good book can help you to reduce your stress level. Grab that book and a nice blanket, and give yourself that much needed 20 minute break!

Hope you all enjoyed these stress-reducing tips! Please share your tips with us-- we want to know how you reduce stress in your every day life!

Always remember, take time out of your day ... FOR YOU! You deserve it!

S.E.E.D.s of Change

In gratitude for the wonderful gift of warm water and for all that the Earth gives us, Glen Ivy strives to be as environmentally conscious as possible. To spearhead our green efforts is a volunteer group of employees that are passionate about preserving the Earth known as Sustaining Earth’s Environment Daily, or as we affectionately refer to them: S.E.E.D.

To date, S.E.E.D. has made some great changes and accomplishments at Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa. Here are a few:

• Implemented a spa-wide recycling program for guests and employees
  
• Built 8 birdhouses around the spa to provide homes for Western Bluebirds
  
• Eradicated Tamarisk Trees, which endanger the native plants and trees in Coldwater Canyon. This allows native trees and plants to thrive, thereby keeping the animals and insects that live here safe, happy and healthy too
  
• Removed the use of all Styrofoam products throughout the spa
  
• Created incentive programs for ridesharing and carpooling
  
• Replaced 8 urinals with waterless urinals
  
• Installed drinking fountains to reduce plastic cup usage around the spa
  
• Consolidated vendors to reduce carbon emissions from delivery trucks
• Use all drain water to water the landscaping and then drain into natural aquifer

Another “seed” worth noting is that Glen Ivy is a Founding Seed Spa in the Green Spa Network committed to promoting sustainable best practices in the spa industry.

We shared our list – now you share yours!

If you’re passionate about being green, we’d love to hear ways that you’re making a difference at home or at work, tips you think everyone should know, and any suggestions you have for the spa!

Stress-reducing tips from Glen Ivy Professionals

At Glen Ivy we know that adopting a spa lifestyle offers many ways to reduce stress everyday, at home, at work, and of course, at the SPA! Try some of these stress-reducing tips from Glen Ivy Professionals:

- Aromatherapy. Soothe your senses with scents that put you at ease. Use candles, lotions, or oils in your bath. Also, keep your favorite scented hand lotion in your bag for a quick pick me up, wherever, whenever.

- Take a bath. The warmth and floating sensation is a relaxing way to wash your stresses away.

- Exercise. And when you can’t break away, take 5 minutes to really stretch out your body. You’d be surprised how much tension is released!

- Eat lunch away from your desk. Lunch should be a micro-vacation from your work day. It should be relaxing and enjoyable. So when your lunch hour comes, enjoy a nice salad or sandwich and don't work!

- Bring elements of the spa into your home. Keep Glen Ivy's Lavender and Eucalyptus Body Products around your house to infuse your day with the rejuvenating moments of a spa experience!

Hope you enjoyed these first few tips - check back next week for more!

Simple Suggestions for Stress Awareness Month

This month I will be doing my best to not bite my nails (and I mean chomp my poor nails, so bad), to not continuously check the locks on my doors when I know they have been locked (can someone say OCD?), to not re-check my phone to make sure my alarm is set at all hours of the night (I set an alarm to make sure my alarm is on, no joke) and to not remind myself of things happening in my Blackberry, AOL calender, planner AND notebook (I thought just purchasing the blackberry would keep me a line but it didn't). If anyone stresses, it's me.

April is Stress Awareness Month– a time when healthcare professionals, health promotion experts, and caregivers across the country join forces to raise public awareness about the cause and cures for our modern stress epidemic.

Here are some great tips for you (and me) to reduce our stress level this month from Jennifer Riley, a reporter at the Christian Post:

• Provide a listening ear. Often, those who are going through stressful times simply need someone to talk to. Make an extra phone call or meet a friend for coffee and offer the opportunity for them to talk.

• Send an encouraging note. Words are powerful. In the age of emails and text messages, handwritten notes show that you took time and effort to show you care.

• Say “thank you.” Offer your gratitude for people. Thank a coworker for his or her hard work or a waiter for serving you dinner. Everyone wants to feel appreciated.

• Laugh with someone. A good hearty laugh can relax you both and mentally lighten your load. Tell a joke or rent a funny movie with a friend.

• Perform a random act of kindness. Surprise someone with the unexpected. It can be as simple as paying for a friend’s coffee or offering to watch the kids so a mom or dad can have time to relax.

• Get a massage. It is said that an hour of professional massage can be as restful as 3-4 hours of sleep.

• Help someone organize. When the places and things around us are in order, we feel a little more put together. Take time to help a friend clean out a closet or scrub the bathtub.

• Take a walk. Exercise releases endorphins and makes us feel better all around. Walk around the mall with a coworker on your lunch break or meet a friend at a park after work and enjoy the fresh air.

• Share a smile. This contagious act can easily brighten someone’s day. Smile to a passing stranger; it may make a big difference in his or her day.

• Get away. Get away from the everyday circumstances that may be causing stress. Plan a weekend getaway or a day trip with a friend.

• Pray. Say a quick prayer for your friend and put his or her stress in the hands of the Ultimate Provider and Healer.

National Stress Awareness Day is April 16.

To your health & happiness- and a stress-free month!

Keeping your resolutions all year

Here we are at the end of January and it seems likely that some of us (myself included) are already struggling to keep some of the optimistic resolutions we made for the New Year. In thinking about why we make resolutions, it’s often that we have good intentions to better our lives and just can’t find the time to devote to ourselves.

As a place dedicated to being a personal sanctuary for renewal and healing, here are some ways that Glen Ivy can help you keep your resolutions all year long:

Resolution: Slow down and enjoy life
It starts with reducing stress. It’s been said that an hour of professional massage can be as restful as 3-4 hours sleep!

Resolution: Make more time for the people you love
At Glen Ivy, you can relax and spend quality time together! Bond in Club Mud, giggle in The Grotto, melt with massages in a “Together” room or reserve a private Cabaña and bring everybody!

Resolution: Eat healthier
Chef Bill and the Café Solé staff offer delicious choices made from fresh and healthful ingredients! See Chef’s Tips for staying on track in 2009.

Resolution: Exercise more
Join us for fun, complimentary Water Aerobics classes every day at 2 p.m. and Stretching Yoga at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Resolution: Save money

2 for 1 spa admission to Glen Ivy Hot Springs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through February and monthly Special Treatment Packages all year.

To your health and happiness!

Happy and Healthy

Need an “excuse” to head to the spa? What if I told you it would help prevent a cold? Here are some natural tips to prevent colds from WebMD.com given by Charles B. Inlander, president of The People's Medical Society:

Take a sauna
Researchers aren't clear about the exact role saunas play in prevention, but one 1989 German study found that people who steamed twice a week got half as many colds as those who didn't. One theory: When you take a sauna you inhale air hotter than 80 degrees, a temperature too hot for cold and flu viruses to survive.

Get fresh air
A regular dose of fresh air is important, especially in cold weather when central heating dries you out and makes your body more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses.

Do aerobic exercise regularly
Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart to pump larger quantities of blood, makes you breathe faster to help transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood and makes you sweat once your body heats up. This helps increase the body's natural virus-killing cells.
(check out water aerobics at the Hot Springs every day at 2 p.m.)

Relax
There's evidence that when you put your relaxation skills into action, your interleukins -- leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses -- increase in the bloodstream. Train yourself to picture an image you find pleasant or calming and do this 30 minutes a day for several months. Keep in mind, relaxation is a learnable skill, but it is not doing nothing. People who try to relax, but are in fact bored, show no changes in blood chemicals.

Having recently gotten over a 2 week cold, I wish I would’ve come across this sooner and I definitely would have tried some of them out here at the Hot Springs (especially the Sauna!).