MUDder's Day Week #2 Winner

CONGRATS to Lori for winning week #2 of our MUDder's Day contest! Lori and her daughter came back to Club Mud for their second time that day to get their muddy moment captured!

There are still two more chances to win passes to experience The Grotto and a $100 Glen Ivy gift card. Grab your mom and head to Club Mud between 2-3pm on Wednesday May 19 and 26 for your chance to win!

-Lori-

Happy MUDder's Day #2

We had quite a few mom's still celebrating Mother's Day this past Wednesday! Everyone was enjoying a beautiful day here at the Hot Springs with their loved ones and getting all muddied up! What better way to celebrate mom than by slathering her up with mud and having your muddy moment captured! Check out the photos!

-Lori-

-Jessica & her mom-

-Diana sporting her family's creation-

-The new and improved Charlie's Angels-

Meet me in the mud next Wednesday from 2-3 pm for your chance to win a $100 Glen Ivy gift card! Just grab your mom and some mud and strike a pose! It's as simple as that! See you all next week!

MUDder's Day Week #1 Winner

CONGRATULATIONS to Monica and her family - the first week winners of our May MUDder's Day Contest! We were quite impressed with three generations of muddy bodies proclaiming "I love my mom!" Monica and her family won two passes to try out The Grotto and will be in the running for a $100 Glen Ivy gift card. Thanks to everyone who commented on their favorite MUDder's Day photo...more muddy fun to come next Wednesday!

Make Mom a Tasty Treat this Mother's Day

For all that she's done, treat your Mom to a delicious Mother' Day brunch courtesy of Glen Ivy's own Chef Bill. She's sure to enjoy it since it will be made with the best ingredients---cheese and love!

Three Cheese Vegetable Quesadillas

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon crumbled jack cheese
1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 seeded and diced chile poblano or pasilla
1 seeded and diced jalapeno
1 garlic clove minced
1/2 tomato, diced
1 chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
3 large wrap tortillas (12 inch)
1/2 cup Edamole Broccomole--click here for recipe
1/2 cup Three Chili Salsa--click here for recipe

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the three cheeses, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 2: Heat a saute pan over medium heat and lightly coat the bottom of the pan with the olive oil. Add the poblano, jalapeno, garlic, tomato, green onion, zucchini and oregano. Saute for 2 minutes. Fold in the cilantro. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Heat a large saute pan over medium high heat and add 1 tortilla. Cook 5 seconds, turn over, and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the mixed cheeses and 2 tablespoons of sauteed vegetables on one side of the tortilla (in a half moon). Fold the tortilla over the filling and toast on each side for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Remove the pas and repeat with remaining tortillas.

Step #4: Cut each quesadilla into 8 pieces. Serve with Edamole Broccomole and Three Chili Salsa. BUEN PROVECHO!


From all of us here at Glen Ivy, we wish everyone a lovely Mother's day!

Happy MUDder's Day #1

There was a whole lot of motherly love around Glen Ivy today as we kicked off the first week of our MUDder's Day photo contest! Some moms gathered generations of family members to get muddy with while others flew solo for some "mom only time." Either way, all of the moms looked beautiful playing in the mud! Enjoy the photos and let us know who you think should win this week!

-Ruben and his mom-

-Emily with the girls-

-Monica and 3 generations of lovely ladies!-

"I LOVE MY MOM!"

-Mercedes and her guest-

-Isabal with her Mom-

-Monica celebrating her birthday with her Mom-

-Girl's Day-

-Katie and her beautiful 85 year old Mom-

-Jackie and mom having fun-

-Barbara showing her love for Glen Ivy-

-Janet having a "mom only" day!-

-Christy-

-Fahimeh and mom-

-I LOVE MOM-

If you didn't get a chance to participate today, don't worry! Grab your mom and meet me in the mud on the following dates for a chance to win a $100 Glen Ivy gift card: Wednesday May 12, 19, and 26! Stay tuned! We'll be announcing this week's winner on Friday!

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.

Moms Love Glen Ivy!

With Mother's Day just around the corner, "Mom" is definitely the word at the spa lately. In our office we were talking about Mother's Day and Elizabeth and Jennifer both shared some great Glen Ivy memories of their moms.

"My mom and I come to Glen Ivy every few months to spend quality time together - in fact, we just got some one-on-one time here on Monday! While we were relaxing she commented on how she finds herself at Glen Ivy for all sorts of different reasons: personal getaways when she has a day off work, Mother/Daughter days with me, and one special memory she recalled from Mother's Day two years ago when my brothers and dad joined us at the spa. We reflected a bit on that happy, fun day and she said spending time at a place she loves with the people she loves most is a memory she will cherish forever." - Elizabeth F.

"Just a few weeks ago I brought my mom and future mother-in-law to the Hot Springs for a relaxing Spa Day before the Big Day. We got a Cabana and we were so thankful to have a Cabana Concierge taking care of all the small details so we could just sit, soak and enjoy each others' company - quite a contrast to the wedding planning, that's for sure! Weeks leading up to the wedding can usually be very stressful so it was nice to carve out a full day for time together. We had such a great time laughing and chatting, and really celebrating the fact that our families will soon be joined. It was the perfect way to kick off the one month countdown to the Big Day!" - Jennifer S.

Do you have a Glen Ivy Mom Memory? Leave a comment with yours below!

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!

Making a Difference: Chule Day at Glen Ivy

Lovable. Incredible. Giving. Generous. Those are just a few words that describe Dimitri and Vera Chule. The same words can also be used to describe the guests who donated non-perishable food items this past Saturday, April 3 in honor of "Chule Day."

With help from our guests, we were able to collect various food items that will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank in Riverside. In addition to the food donations, Glen Ivy Hot Springs will also be making a monetary contribution on behalf of the Chule family and our Glen Ivy guests.

We'd like to sincerely thank all those who contributed donations and we hope everyone will remember:

"Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference."--Barbara DeAngelis

"Something for Your Tweetie" Twitter Contest

Make sure to check Glen Ivy's Twitter feed January 28-February 5 for a chance to win a 2-for-1 admission pass to the Hot Springs! All you have to do is re-tweet our daily tweet to be eligible. Yes, it's that easy! A random winner will be picked each day and contacted. So make your Valentine's Day gift shopping a little easier and post away for your chance to win Something for your Tweetie!

Click HERE to follow GlenIvySpas on Twitter!

P.S-Check your email for details about the sweet deal on Glen Ivy gift cards or click HERE to purchase online!

Top 10 Glen Ivy Stocking Stuffer Ideas

As hard as it is to believe, the holidays are in full swing! The lights are up, tree is decorated, and stockings are hung (with care, of course)...And now to figure out what to put in those stockings! Working at a spa has many perks, including having a Spa Lifestyle Store to shop in - it's definitely making my life easier this holiday season. I had some fun shopping around and thought I'd share my personal list of "Top Ten" items that make the perfect little stocking stuffer gifts...the best part is they're all under $25!

1. Budda Balm, $3
2. Punch Studio Decorated Note Pads, $4
3. Foot Shaped Pumice Stone, $4.50
4. Twist and Pout Lip Balm, 6
5. Eucalyptus Lavender Body Butter, $8
6. Blessed Bracelets, $10
7. Archipelago Candles, $22
8. Eucalyptus Lavendar Shower Gel 8oz., $14
9. Love Me Compact Solid Perfume Sets, $25
10. OPI Minnie Merries Holiday Polish Set, $12

Find these great gifts in the Spa Lifestlye Store at Glen Ivy and also be sure to visit this Saturday, December 12 to check out the wonderful gifts at our Holiday Trunk Show from 11-5 at Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona. Our staff will be happy to help you find the perfect spa gift for everyone on your list.

Happy Spalidays!

Perfect Gifts from Glen Ivy

The holidays can be a very hectic time for everyone. One of the most stressful parts of the season is trying to find that perfect gift for all of those people in your life who love different things. To help ease that holiday stress, we've put together some gift giving ideas from the spa!

For the spa goer: Grab a Glen Ivy Logo Waffle Robe and the Rejuvenate Gift set, featuring the best of our Eucalyptus Lavender products, to create the perfect at-home spa experience!

For the health nut: Pick up an Ionic Crystal Table Lamp or the Recipes for Health Bliss Cookbook for a gift they can enjoy all year round.

For the candle lover: Put together a basket filled with soy candles and solid perfumes from Pacifica (Tuscan Blood Orange is my favorite)!

For the product lover: A Primavera Relaxing gift set or the popular glotherapeutics Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub to keep them glowing.

For the hard-to-shop-for person: grab a Glen Ivy gift card and let us do all of the work!

Happy shopping!

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.

National Domestic Violence Awareness Donation Drive

Every October National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed. National, state, and community organizations for violence prevention and victim services mark this month with various events in an effort to help end violence against women and their children.

During the week of October 12-16, Glen Ivy will be helping to raise awareness and donations at each of our locations and the donations will be given to local shelters.

• Corona Hot Springs- Guests who bring in a new clothing item for any age will receive $10 off spa admission for the day. Donations will be going to the Casa De Paz shelter in Riverside, CA.


• Brea- Guests who bring in new and unused toiletries will receive $10 off a 50 or 80 minute spa service. Toiletries must be valued at $5 or more. Donations will be going to the Women’s Transitional Living Center in Orange, CA.


• Valencia- When guests mention that they would like to make a donation to domestic violence awareness, Glen Ivy will donate $10 of the service price to the Domestic Violence Shelter of Santa Clarita. Service must be a 50 or 80 minute service.

Remember, families who go to shelters often leave all of their possessions behind. Any donation will help them to feel secure in their new surroundings. Other ways to help raise awareness is to volunteer your time at a domestic violence agency, be supportive when a battered person tells her story, and be a loving and supportive parent.

At Glen Ivy we strive to elevate life’s experiences and here is your chance to help! We hope that you will join us in the creating awareness and celebrating the strength of battered women and their children.

If you have any questions please contact meghann.carreiro@glenivy.com.

Happy Father's Day

On behalf of everyone here at Glen Ivy, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

I leave you with this ... "A father carries pictures where his money used to be." -- Author Unknown (or atleast this applies to my Dad). Anyone else?

Father's Day Contest Finalists

Congratulations to the Glen Ivy Father's Day Contest finalists! Be sure to read each story before voting! The winning father will be awarded with a "Day in Paradise," which will include admission and lunch for two, a custom massage and a hot towel facial at Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa! We can't think of a better way to say, "Happy Father's Day Dad!"

Here we go:

Finalist #1 Here is our nomination written by me BUT told by our 5 year old Coby!! "My Dad is the super funniest guy cause when he gets home from work he takes his work clothes off and puts on his sweats and he pulls them up super high to his boobs and says 'Did I do that?' like Erkel does. It is so funny I can't stop laughing and my brother too! You should pick him for dads day because he is the funniest one I know and he always cracks me up and my brother Collin!" Thanks so much. --Coby (5), Collin (4) & Lori

Finalist #2 The funny story that exemplifies him [Dad] most is the "Goat Incident". My dad willingly took part in a school charity auction where the person who raised the most money had to kiss a goat in front of the entire elementary school and parents. My dad, thinking he would never win in a million years, agrees to participate and ends up getting the most donations. So here goes this lifer Marine with his crew cut hair and Semper Fi attitude infront of the whole school planted a big, smelly, smooch right on the goat's lips. Needless to say the entire school erupted in laughter and the parents taunted him. Later he got his revenging chasing my mom around trying to kiss her with his goat germ lips! --Maggie

Finalist #3 At a family reunion a few years ago everyone got a little too ... let's just say carried away. All of the adults were having a great time hanging out then they busted out the karaoke machine, that's when it all started. To my suprise some of my family members were actually good or even better at singing while being intoxicated. Then it was my dad's turn. He stepped up to the plate and began singing "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" to my Uncle Aaron in possibly the highest pitch I've ever heard come out of him. He even had a special dance he made up to go along with it. What made it even better was that he had on his sunglasses and a hat to make him seem cool. He thought he was actually good because everyone was laughing and clapping. The only thing was they were laughing at him, not with him. It was completely embarrassing but it's my dad and I can't help but love him even more when he makes me laugh. To this day we still have incriminating photos of him dancing around the living room with his microphone, a sunburn, and his hat. I love my whacky daddy. --Shana

Finalist #4 Right before Valentine's Day my brother took my diary and read it. My Dad knew I was upset and decided to get me a new diary as a gift for Valentine's Day. He went to the Sanrio Store to get me a Keroppi diary, since that was my favorite character at the time. My Dad was born in Mexico and English is his second language. When he arrived at Sanrio he asked the sales girl if they sold "diarrheas". He couldn't think of the word and kept saying he needed to buy a "diarrhea". He said the sales girl kept looking at him as if he were crazy until finally he explained that he needed a book where people write in it, the sales girl was then able to catch on and he was finally able to buy me a diary for Valentine's Day. --Vanessa

Finalist #5 It started out a regular day and ended as a memorably funny one. My mom told me we were going to Mervyn’s to look for a bra for me. I was excited; it would be my first bra. My family isn’t shy. I was not embarrassed at all that my dad was coming with us. That would soon change. As we walked into the store, we went straight to the panty and bra section. A sales woman walked up to us and asked if we needed any help. My dad answered “we need an over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder please!” I was mortified! I hid behind my mom as she sent him to another section of the store. Needless to say he never went with us again and this is something we will never forget. Yet I love him for giving me moments like this to share with people as it makes my life more fun. --Tonia

Vote now for the funniest father!

Honoring Our Troops

Here are a few of the notes that Glen Ivy guests wrote to troops in Afghanistan over the Memorial Day weekend:

"To our beloved troops-- Please know how much I appreciate you & your families for everything that you have sacraficed, contributed & provided for our country. My heart & prayers go out to all of you & I hope you all return home safely. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

"Dear troops-- Thank you for your bravery! I can't imagine what your lives must be like fighting for us, but please know we are thankful."

"Thanks for all you do! You are true heroes & are greatly appreciated. Come home safe!"

"To a wonderful person-- Thank you for all that you do. Each day I wake up thankful for my freedom and I thank you for it. Please know, on those tough days, you are supported. Lots of love!"

"Our prayers are with you and your family. It must be difficult to be so far away, doing what you are doing, but know that we appreciate you!"

"Just a note to say thank you for all of your hard work, sacrafice & for your unselfishness. It takes a special kind of person to do what you do & we appreciate it more than you know. Because of you, I am able to lead the life I live. Thank you again & may you return safe."

"There are no words that can say how grateful I am that you are willing to put your life on the line for our country. My love and prayers for your safety and peace will be ongoing."

"Dear service women, men & fellow Americans-- I haven't taken time to do this before, but I'm grateful to Glen Ivy for giving me the opportunity to express my thanks and admiration to you all for serving us so selflessly and giving so completely to your country. Your example should inspire us all to sacrafice and to give back to our country and to the citizens of the world for all the freedoms we are so fortunate to enjoy. Our thoughts are with you."

**If you would like to include a message in the care package that will be sent out to troops in Afghanistan, feel free to e-mail me the message at kristen.koman@glenivy.com and I will be more than happy to fill out a card for you. I will be accepting your messages until Friday, May 29th, 2009.

Happy Memorial Day

In honor of Memorial Day, we asked our guests to join us by filling out a card that will be sent with a care package to our troops and friends in Afghanistan.

We appreciate and honor our service men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq and our thoughts and prayers are with them for a safe return home. As well, we'd like to thank our guests for participating and showing support on this very special weekend.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

If a beautiful Tuesday isn’t a great reason for indulging in a delicious dip, maybe Cinco de Mayo is a better reason! In honor of the 5th of May, our Executive Chef at Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa, Bill Wavrin, has provided us with an appetizing (and healthy!) dish to enjoy while we are cookin’ up the carne asada or getting ready for a night out with friends and family! Yummy!

Edamole Broccomole Dip
Courtesy of Executive Chef Bill Wavrin, Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa

I’ve been serving my version of guacamole like this for years. It’s the perfect (and healthier) way to indulge in dipping into that bowl of guacamole and you’ll notice a difference. The addition of the edamame and broccoli cut the fat and calories by 60%. This guacamole has all the protein benefits of edamame and cancer-fighting benefits of broccoli. Not to mention it tastes fantastic! As well, you’ll notice the guacamole continues to stay green longer but you won’t have to worry about that – this one will be gone fast! Enjoy!

Makes 40 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1/2 cup shelled edamame (fresh soybeans) fresh or frozen
1/2 cup peeled broccoli stalks
2 avocados, peeled and stoned, mashed in a medium sized bowl
4 cups water
1 scallion thinly sliced
1/4 cup red onion diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 jalapeno, minced
1 lime, juiced
1 medium tomato, diced
4 tablespoons fresh cilantro minced
Sea salt to taste

Method:
1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Reduce to a simmer and add the edamame and simmer for 30 seconds or until cooked.
3. Drain the beans and set aside to cool.
4. Repeat with the broccoli spears. Steam 30 seconds until soft or just until cooked al dente.
5. Drain the broccoli and set aside to cool.
6. Place the edamame in a food processor and pulse to combine. Run the processor 20 seconds or until the beans resemble coffee grounds.
7. Repeat with the broccoli.
8. Place everything in a bowl and mix well to combine.
9. Season to taste and serve or refrigerate until needed.

Bon Appetite! ~Chef Bill

Feel free to share your favorite Cinco de Mayo dish here! :-)

Happy Mudder's Day Contest

Nothing sounds more appealing than getting muddy with your mom and winning prizes, right? Well, each Wednesday in May at Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa you can do just that!

Bring your mom each Wednesday in May (5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27) and she'll receive 1/2 price admission to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa. Then, muddy up and meet us in Club Mud from 2-3 p.m. for your chance to win free grotto treatments & a chance at the grand prize $100 Glen Ivy gift card!

All you need is a swimsuit, a smile and a muddy mom (or any admirable female figure in your life)! Photographs will be sent to you via e-mail and also posted here on the Glen Ivy Blog. We will choose a weekly winner and they will be awarded with complimentary Grotto passes. Once we have four winners, the grand prize winner will be chosen by YOU by voting on the Blog. Voting will start Thursday, May 28th and ends Monday, June 1st, 2009.

So get your MUDDERS ready and remember, "The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful." --E.E. Cummings