More Celebrity-inspired ideas for your next Spa Adventure!

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 | Beauty, California Spas, Relaxation, Skincare, healthy living, well-being, wellness | No Comments

The Academy Awards may be over, however here are more celebrity-inspired spa ideas to look your best everyday.

For instance, to protect your skin, SkinCeutical’s Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50® is one to consider ($30 retail). And,  Jennifer Lopez is a fan of the line and uses the paraben-free mattifying fluid to protect her skin from damaging UV rays.

Glee’s Naya Rivera is a fan of Skin 2 Skin Care products (as is Ryan Seacrest) and two that are staples of Hollywood makeup artists include their Anti-Sagging Renewal Serum ($65 retail), which promotes collagen growth and the Revitalizing Eye Gel ($42 retail).  The serum promotes collagen production while the eye gel reduces puffiness and brightens dark circles with the help of anti-oxidants.

For my California readers and fans of Spa Montage Beverly Hills, consider the Ultimate Pre-Red Carpet Spa Experience (now through March for $1050*).  This package includes four treatments and products to take home to continue your camera ready experience. You’ll enjoy an anti-aging facial using oxygen serums to firm and contour, body sculpting therapy to target tummies and thighs, a beautiful back and arms facial to get glowing skin in those low cut dresses and an Elements of Earth Wrap to draw out impurities.

* It’s recommended to book treatments over the course of two to three days.

Thank you to the International SPA Association for the latest data and information on these products.

To your journey!

Tags: awards, Beauty, Skincare, spa, well-being

A few of my favorite things to do at Rancho la Puerta!

Monday, October 4th, 2010 | Adventure, Destination Spas, Rancho la Puerta, wellness | No Comments

It’s been about a month now since I left Rancho la Puerta and I’m having spa withdrawals!  There were several reasons I chose the Ranch this year and one was to celebrate my 50th birthday during their 70th anniversary year.  And it was time well spent as I participated in a Writing Workshop, enjoyed a week of healthy meals and reconnected to nature and different parts of myself and that was a big reason for going.

So, just a few of my favorite things from the Ranch.

First on the list has to do with fitness.  So many options and there isn’t a way to do it all in a week, so you do what you can and for me it’s usually about doing something different.  Per a previous post I mentioned my injury which kept me from some activities, however I loved Release & Mobilize with Denise.  She’s one of my favorite instructors at the Ranch and this something that I continue to do at home.   Using tennis balls on specific trigger points you can experience a deep release and that’s why it’s a favorite of mine.  The description says that the goal is to decrease tightness and muscle spasms to create greater mobility and that is exactly what happens.  I felt great when I left that class and continue to feel that release every morning when I do this at home.

Second on my list is the food.   A vegetarian menu that is creative, colorful and nourishing.  The granola is the best I’ve ever had so of course I brought some home with me.  Fish is served about six times during the week and if you are a vegetarian you can choose an alternative entree if you don’t fish.

And another of my favorite things about the Ranch is the garden.  I love walking through the garden and taking photos of the flowers, herbs and anything that catches my eye.  It’s fragrant, colorful and nourishes my soul.  I feel so healthy when I’m at the Ranch and know that I’m doing good things for my body, mind and soul.

My hope is that more people will experience Rancho la Puerta and other destination spas to improve their well-being and live a healthier and more enriching life.   We all need to rejuvenate and reconnect to nature from time to time and this is one of the best ways to do just that.

Enjoy your journey!

Tags: fitness, organic gardening, spa, vegetarian

Top 10 *Really Last Minute* Ideas for Valentine’s Day!

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 | Adventure, Canyon Ranch, Miraval Spa, Red Mountain Spa | 4 Comments

For many, Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year.  We lavish our loved ones with gifts of chocolate, lingerie, jewelry, or a romantic dinner.  And there may also be a weekend getaway involved or a romantic couples massage.  All continue to be sought after and certainly any gal (or guy) looks forward to the the 14th of February. 

Below is Mindful Adventures Top 10 list for ‘Really Last Minute’ ideas forValentine’s Day…some travel, some spa, diamonds, dinner and love, always love!  And, they’re useful for any other special day where you want to show your loved one how much you care.  (** Move way down for a bonus idea!)

1.  A Destination Spa:  Yes, this is number one because there’s so much wrapped into a place such as this.

Heart Healthy dining, Heart pumping Fitness, an intimate Couples Massage, and so many other activities you can do together.  Some destination spas offer sessions to enhance and deepen your relationship and intimacy.   And, the best part of this heart-felt gift is that it can be given on Valentine’s Day and taken when you’re both available to travel, either way, it’s sure to be a gift that will last long after February 14th. 

Here are a few to consider:
Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ
Red Mountain Resort & Spa in St. George, Utah
Miraval Resort & Spa in Tucson, AZ

2. Wine or an evening at a Wine Bar - There are so many great wines available from around the world and an evening at a Wine Bar where you can enjoy a ‘Flight’ of wines is so much fun and romantic as well.  Anything two people can do together can be romantic!  One of my personal favorites is Cline’s Cashmere and I love it because it’s a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre and is so smooth and luxurious.  It offers a long finish and you can pick up the lingering flavors of cherries and chocolate.  Cline Cellars also sponsors Breast Cancer Network of Strength.

3.  FlexFlops – For those of you not in the know yet about this fabulous item, here’s the skinny.  They’re compact footwear!  Whether you’re going for a pedicure and want to use your own flip-flops, or you’re traveling to your favorite wellness spa and don’t want to walk barefoot going through airport security (yes, practical as well), or just want a cute gift (for Valentine’s Day), this is something that will be appreciated.  It’s one of those Aha! gifts.  They also come with a matching pouch and different designs are available.

4.  Dark Chocolate – Yes, well, chocolate is always going to be on any Top 10 gift list I do due to the health benefits.   Dark chocolate, with higher cocoa levels, is best due to the phytochemicals so it’s heart healthy! If you’re going to give chocolate (or buy for yourself), make it dark chocolate!  Dark chocolate is so luscious, silky and smooth when it melts in your mouth and you’re doing something good for yourself…even one piece of dark chocolate a day can be beneficial.   A couple that I like include Bissinger and Ghiradelli Chocolates. (Check back here soon for more Dark Chocolate ideas!)

5. Golf and Spa – These just go together.  And this list isn’t just about what to give the guy in your life, it’s about what to give your gal and with Golf and Spa, you’ll both be happy (see, this can go either way…who is the golfer, perhaps both of you!) .   This part of the list could get rather long with all of the locations I’d love to include, so here are just a couple (more to come soon on this topic).

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is offering golfers a chance to improve their game (and who isn’t looking for golf-improvement).   This event is being held March 27th – 28th, 2010.  It’s a two-day golf program an includes room accommodations, golf school and lunch.    It’s being led by Jeff Johnson, the Director of Instruction, PGA Tour mental coach and author of Zen Golf and Dr. Joe Parent.  

And for an east coast option, consider  the Kiawah Resort at Kiawah Island in South Carolina (a few miles from Charleston, SC).  Nothing could be finer, than going to Carolina!  And, if you’re considering something for Valentine’s weekend, there are a few packages to consider including The Beach and Breakfast Romance Package ($289 per night) includes luxury accommodations, rose petal turndown service, and breakfast for two.    If you’d like to travel later, than consider giving on Valetine’s weekend and enjoying later.  This resort is one of our country’s top resorts and has five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course (soon to be host of the 2012 PGA championships) and a top-rated spa (par for the course!).   

6. Romantic Dinner for Two  - Amore! And, Ristorante Cafe Cortina in Farmington Hills, Michigan says it best.  This is by far one of the best Italian restaurants in the country (not only my opinion, also in LA CUCINA ITALIANA magazine and Food Network’s Best of…Pasta).  The Risotto I enjoyed (devoured) was amazing…the best I ever had.  An intimate dinner at Cafe Cortina is like dining in Rome, Italy and they get 5 stars from me (Thanks to Adrian, the owner, and his team!)!  If you’re not in Michigan, take a look at their online market (not the same, but an option until you’re in Michigan!).   And, when you can get to Michigan, this is a must-do dining event.  Bellisimo!

7.  “I Love You” stones -  If you’re looking for something unique, this is a great idea.  I came across them while looking at Red Envelope (cool gifts that are unique and personal) and I think they’re great.   Who wouldn’t love finding this in their pocket or under the pillow.  One side says “I love you” and the other side has a saying such as, “…for always getting my jokes,” “…for being so giving,” “…for your honesty,” and more.   As of this writing, they’re not available for delivery until March 19, 2010, however I just had to include them.  They’re great for a birthday or anniversary as well.

8. Diamonds are (still) a Girls Best Friend! – There had to be something with Diamonds included here and this is a simple and beautiful piece of jewelry (and affordable).  It’s also from Red Envelope and it’s the Diamond Heart Necklace.  It’s a sterling silver heart pendant and is channel-set with 33 full-cut diamonds.    

9.  Dinner at Home! – With temperatures as cold as they’ve been and record high amounts of
snow in the mid-Atlantic, perhaps dinner at home is sounding even better for this Valentine’s Day.  Spend less time on making dinner and more time enjoying it by getting most of the ingredients delivered. Check out Al Dente pasta options and their Wine and Connoisseur basket.  It includes 3 bags of Al Dente pasta, 2 jars of Sauce and more.   Add your favorite bottle of wine (see # 3 above for an idea), a loaf of Italian bread, and a your favorite music (perhaps Andrea Bocelli’s Romanza).

10. Celtic Woman – Songs from the Heart Concert – Their music is beautiful, inspiring, full of hope and touches your heart in so many ways.  There’s a feeling you get when you listen to Celtic Woman sing and going to one of their concerts is truly awe-inspiring as their melodic songs touch your soul and open your spirit to feel more love.  It’s how I can best describe how their music touches me.  They’re currently touring the United States and there are many opportunities to experience their music.  Listen! 

 Final notes:  I hope you find something helpful on Mindful Adventures Experiential List of Valentine’s Day ideas for your significant other, family member or for yourself.  Share your love and Happy Valentine’s Day!

You found it!
11. A couples massage (or solo massage) – There’s still time to get an appointment for Saturday, Feb. 14 at many day spas (as well as resorts).  Check with your favorite spa and if you don’t have one, find one and take time to relax and rejuvenate.   If you’re in southeastern Virginia, check out JonBre’ European Spa; if you’re in New York City, check out the spa at Mandarin Oriental Spa; if you’re in Utah, check out Golden Door at Dakota Mountain Lodge and if you’re in Sedona, AZ, check out Mii Amo Spa (at Enchanment Resort).  These are just a few from east to west.  For an extensive list, visit ISPA (International Spa Association).

Tags: Dark Chocolate, Diamonds, golf, heart, jewelry, love, spa, spa getaway, Valentines Day

ISPA releases 2010 Spa Trends – news to use

Thursday, December 10th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments

Many of us have different reasons for getting involved in the spa industry and for me it’s always
been about prevention and living a healthy lifestyle – a spa lifestyle. Years ago we were pioneers
in the world of spa and today we continue to walk on this path showing our belief in an industry
that has become stronger and more relevant with each passing year. The International SPA
Association (ISPA) has a lot to do with this path that we’re on and regardless of the role we
play in the industry we are united and excited about the future and the path to wellness for all.

ISPA has recently released their 2010 Spa Trends and I’ve included them below. Whether you’re
a consumer reading this or a colleague in the industry, take note because there’s a lot of positive
information here and hopefully you’ll consider visiting your local spa more often and taking that
destination spa trip sooner vs. later so you can invest in you! To your health, always!

“Since the economic downturn, the consumer is more educated than ever before when it comes
to value and investing in themselves,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “They expect a return
on their investment, and they aren’t falling for any tricks or gimmicks. They want tangible results
and information that will improve their quality of life.”

Through industry research ISPA has pinpointed the following spa trends for 2010:

Social Media – Perhaps you’ve heard of a little Web site called Twitter? It’s
helped to bust open the doors on a marketing revolution, and spas are leading the way. Now,
it’s easier than ever for spas to offer up-to-the-minute deals by tweeting or posting a Facebook message. Cancellations are no longer a problem when you can re-book an appointment instantly.
In fact, Ad-Ology research shows that 57 percent of 18 to 24 year olds and 48.5 percent of 25
to 34 year olds say social media influenced their choice of a hair salon or day spa. Check out
which innovative spas are tweeting.

Customer Service – Consumers are more aware of every penny spent, and with
that comes higher expectations on the level of service they receive. Spas are responding by
providing exceptional service and making each visit a customized experience for the guest. In
fact, 87 percent of ISPA member spas are utilizing customer feedback mechanisms to ensure
they’re exceeding consumers’ needs. And, 48 percent of ISPA member spas have implemented customer loyalty programs, allowing them to offer discounts or rewards while incentivizing frequent visits to the spa.

Spa Sampling Menu – Just like ordering tapas at a Spanish restaurant, now
you can order up a sampling of spa treatments to try out. These mini services at lower price
points are popular ways to get a taste of treatments offered at many spas. With 46 percent
of ISPA member spas seeing an increase in shorter (30 minutes or less) treatment bookings,
and 86 percent offering shorter treatments, it’s the perfect recipe for consumers seeking small
treats to help lift their spirits.

Preventive Care – Wouldn’t you rather go to a spa now to learn how to
manage stress then end up in a doctor’s office a few years down the road? According to
the World Health Organization, by 2020 the top five diseases will all have the underlying
contributing factor of stress. Spa treatments like massage, acupuncture and meditation have
been proven to aid in stress reduction and recovery time for pre and post-op patients.

Spa Partnerships – Spas are becoming more accessible through partnerships with established franchises, hotels and local businesses. Recent pairings like Murad Inc. and Massage Envy will allow consumers to enjoy the benefits of a total spa experience for an affordable price. Forty-six percent of ISPA day spa members partner with local businesses to incorporate spa into their workplace. Popular partnerships include: developing wellness programs at local hospitals, accommodating guests at local hotels without spa facilities and service discount trades between spas and local business employees.

Cell Phone Applications - There’s definitely an app for that! Spa-ing is easier than ever with the convenience of doing it from your cell phone. The Four Seasons’ app allows you to browse spa services and check room availability for your next stay. The Hot Springs and Spa Finder – California app will guide you to road-side soaks, spiritual retreats and commercial spas. Plan a spa vacation from anywhere with Tripology’s app. The Find a Spa app detects your location and displays search results for spas in your proximity.

Giving Back – Spas are offering promotions and free services to people who serve the community such as teachers, hospice workers and military personnel. Some spas are teaming up with local hospitals and providing wellness education to help educate consumers on the spa lifestyle. Community outreach is a great way to generate business and show how easy it is to incorporate spa into your life.

The Millennials Take Over – This group now outnumbers the baby boomers, and they are flocking to the spa. They grew up in a culture where taking care of themselves, learning proper grooming techniques and leading a healthy lifestyle were not options, but the norm. Born during the exercise craze of the 1980s, they were the first generation to watch as their parents began turning to spas through the 1990s, when spas experienced significant growth. Spas are reaching Millennials through social media outlets and they are reaping the benefits.

Simplified Spa Menus – Everyone is cutting back and spa menus are no exception. You’ll notice fewer treatment options because spas are focusing on the core of their business – results-oriented treatments. No-frills treatments that offer a return on investment are what the consumer is demanding. The No. 1 spa treatment that people seek out world wide is massage because of its healing and stress-reducing benefits. And, the No. 1 reason people go to the spa is to relieve/reduce stress and relax.

Beauty Rest – Catching some zzz’s has never been harder in our sleep-deprived society. The spa makes rest a priority by offering treatments targeted to get you some shut eye. You can actually book time to sleep at the spa or stay after a treatment to nap when you’re feeling relaxed.

About the International SPA Association
ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. Founded in 1991, ISPA advances the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth. More details on ISPA are available on http://www.experienceispa.com/.

Source: ISPA, International SPA Assocation

Tags: 2010, consumers, giving back, healthy living, international spa association, lifestyle, prevention, spa, trends