SPA INDEX NEWS
WWW.SPAINDEX.COM
FEBRUARY 7, 2001
ISSN: 1533-6417
GREETINGS FROM THE SPA INDEX TEAM!
In this issue, exciting news about the 8th Annual Napa Valley California
Mustard Festival, with fun facts, recipes, and spa treatments, and of
course, our recommendations for wonderful spa facilities in the Napa Valley,
California Region.
This issue of Spa Index News is brought to you by our sponsor Silver Springs Gardens.
For our readers outside of the Northern California and Napa Valley regions,
don't despair. We learned that Silver Spring Gardens in Eau Claire,
Wisconsin is one of the world's largest grower and processor of all-natural and
organic horseradish and mustard products. Silver Spring has long been committed
to using the finest ingredients to bring you their distinctive and all natural
condiments. They offer several varieties of sweet and savory mustards,
which you can order online. We used Silver Spring Gardens Dijon Mustard in the
recipe shown above, with delicious results. Please thank them by visiting
Silver Spring Gardens at www.silverspringgardens.com.
SPA GETAWAY SUGGESTION FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH
NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA -- A thirty-mile strip of gently landscaped
corridors and lush hillsides, the Napa Valley looks and feels like southern
France, but is actually a near-neighbor of the Pacific Ocean. In spring, the
valley floor, home to California's lucrative wine-industry, is blanketed with
brilliant wild flowers which mellow into autumnal shades by grape-harvest time.
Local Native Americans named the fish-rich river that flows through the valley
"Napa," meaning "plenty" -- and plenty is what you'll find,
in everything from the beauty of the landscape to the lushness of the world
class spa facilities.
Travel to Napa Valley to immerse yourself in the spa experience, but take an
extra day between February 3rd and March 31st to see the 8th Annual Napa
Valley Mustard Festival. The Festival's two-month celebration is timed to
coincide with the full-bloom of the mustard plants. Local festivities
offer a full palette of gourmet food, fine wine, local art, entertainment and
culture, including the Marketplace, where mustards from around the world are
showcased with regional food and wine, the World-Wide Mustard Competition, where
chefs vie for the title of Mustard Festival Chef of the Year, the Sutter Home
Winery Annual Marathon, and the Smothers European Mercedes-Benz Golf Benefit.
For more details on the Festival, call 707-259-9020.
There are many local spa facilities in the area, but we've given you a list to
get you started. To get you in the mood, visit our Spa Index Food Section
below to sample our delicious mustard recipe. Enjoy!
Health Spa Napa Valley
1030 Main Street
St. Helena, CA
707-967-8800
www.napavalleyspa.com
Mount View Spa
1457 Lincoln Avenue
Calistoga CA
707-942-5789
www.mountviewspa.com
Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
18140 Sonoma Hwy 12
Sonoma, CA
(800) 862-4945
www.sonomamissioninn.com
Spa at Meadowood Resort
900 Meadowood lane
St. Helena, CA
800-458-8080
www.meadowood.com
The Silver Rose Inn & Spa
351 Rosedale Rd.
Calistoga, CA
800-995-9381
www.silverrose.com
The Spa Index Team is happy to spotlight events and activities throughout the
United States and abroad, and invites event organizers and spa providers to
provide us with advance details by writing to: Newsletter@spaindex.com.
SPA TREATMENT AND EDUCATION
"I was wondering if there is anyway that you could find out where spa
providers recommend training? Also, could you find out if there is more to
it than just a cosmetology license? Such as a business degree, 4-yr or
2-yr?" -- Jamie W.
Jamie: There are different types of training available to people
interested in joining the spa industry, and the nature of the training differs,
of course, based on what you'd like most to do, and to what extent. There are
schools which offer training as a Massage Therapist in modules from 1 to
100 hours (Board Certification); Aromatherapist (Board Certification); Ayurvedic
Practitioner (Certificate, Master, or Doctorate level); Esthetics
Technician (Board Certified) for skincare, body care, and more. Many
of these courses are available through correspondence, while others, depending
on the level of expertise you wish to obtain, require onsite training.
As far as a business degree is concerned, that presumes you want to prepare
yourself to be successful in the spa business world, and not solely as a spa
technician. In that event, there are online spa business courses which
offer Spa Director Training, General Manager Training, Spa Operations Training,
and Opening a Spa Training. Each of those courses consists of four modules each
containing 6 lessons. The programs as a whole are designed to be completed in
one year. As you can see, there is a wealth of information for your
question, and to benefit our other readers who may be curious, look for a new
page on our home site within the next 3-5 days. We'll send you an email
notification when it is published and ready for review. Best wishes in
your training. -- The Spa Index Team
SPA AT HOME
In each issue we will share quick tips and easy recipes for creating a home spa
treatment that costs only pennies, but in this issue, we've found a mustard bath
product you can purchase online for less than $3.00. The great healing
virtues of mustard have been extolled by numerous civilizations for thousands of
years. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Native Americans all used
mustard for medicinal purposes. Mustard increases the circulation of the skin,
opens the pores, stimulates the sweat glands and helps the body rid itself of
toxins. Circulation is improved, congestion is relieved and pain is eased.
Dr. Singha's Mustard Bath, available for $2.21 for a two-ounce
treatment at www.myvitanet.com/drsinmusbat.html,
contains mustard oil, which increases circulation (note, you should not use
mustard oil products if you are pregnant or epileptic), opens pores, stimulates
sweat glands and helps draw impurities from the skin; eucalyptus oil, which is
antiseptic, balsamic and cooling, and assists in loosening phlegm; rosemary oil,
which calms and soothes irritated nerves and muscles and is an excellent
antiseptic and skin tonic; wintergreen oil, which helps relieve minor aches and
pains, and thyme oil, a natural antiseptic and stimulant. All
the above ingredients are found in a base of sodium carbonate which neutralizes
acids, soothes skin rashes and surface skin abrasions. A natural resin, gum
benzoin, is used as a fixative and antioxidant.
FOOD FACTS, RECIPES, AND HEALTHY
EATING
Last week we shared a recipe for Winter Carrots with Horseradish, using the fine
products brought to you by Silver Spring Gardens in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
In this issue, a delicious and healthy Portobello Mushroom dish using Silver
Spring Gardens Dijon Mustard. Bon appetite!
Grilled Portobello with Basil Mustard Sauce
4 Portobello mushroom caps (or as many as you want to serve)
6-8 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup olive oil
1 cup vegan or regular mayonnaise
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped fine
juice of one lemon
2 tbs. Napa Valley - OR - Silver Spring Gardens Dijon mustard (see Product
Spotlight, below)
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne to taste
whole wheat sandwich buns (optional)
Steep minced garlic in oil for at least an hour and up to 6 hours or so (for
safety purposes, do not store or save your garlic infused oil after preparation
of this recipe). Meanwhile, Mix the mayonnaise, basil, lemon, mustard,
salt, pepper and cayenne in a small bowl. Cover and chill. Fire up the
indoor or outdoor grill. Brush Portobello caps and whole wheat buns with garlic
oil. Broil the Portobello caps for about 4 minutes on each side. Grill buns
until toasted. Serve mushrooms on buns with the basil mustard sauce. Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 min.
SPA BARGAINS AND GIVEAWAYS
We are happy to provide our subscribers with a sampling of limited time offers
for special packages, special rates, and workshops from spas that provide this
information to us. You will find a more detailed list of Spa Deals page at the
home page. This sampling will be updated as often as possible, or each time
major spa bargains are made known to us. You're welcome to submit a spa-related
giveaway, special offer, or event. Please e-mail newsletter@spaindex.com.
Caribe Hilton, Olas Spa & Health Club, Puerto Rico
http://www.caribehilton.com
Spa Deal: 3 nights/4 days, $350 per night double occupancy/ $280 single
occupancy. Deluxe accommodations with private balcony, breakfast buffet daily
for two in Palmeras Restaurant, three choices of selected body massage, body
wraps, body exfoliation and hands and feet treatments, per person. His and Hers
robes and slippers to use during stay. January 1 to April 15, 2001
Le Grand Courlan Resort & Spa, Tabago
http://www.legrandcourlan-resort.com
Spa Package rates start at $250 per night in deluxe accommodations; $275 per
night in deluxe accommodations with an outdoor Jacuzzi; and $425 per night for a
one-bedroom suite with a Jacuzzi. Rates quoted are per room, based on double
occupancy. Jan. 6 - April 15, 2001
Ocean Point Resort, Miami, FL
http://www.oceanpointresort.com
Simple Romance Package: Priced at just $1350, this package includes two nights
in a 1-bedroom suite with upgraded view and fresh flowers upon arrival, dinner
for two at View, breakfast delivered via "suite service" to a private
balcony and massages for two in a beach side cabana. Includes use of
fitness center, umbrella and chair service, unlimited use of non-motorized
recreational equipment at the Beach Club at Ocean Point, daily newspaper,
parking and complimentary local phone calls. February 6 - September 1,
2001.
Ocean Point Resort, Miami, FL
http://www.oceanpointresort.com
Spa Spectacular: Priced at just $1155 for two, this package includes two
nights in a luxurious 1-bedroom suite with an upgraded view, fresh flowers in
room upon arrival, breakfast for two at View, the resort's gourmet oceanfront
eatery with magnificent blue vistas, and of course, 2 choice spa treatments at
The Spa at Ocean Point. Treatments offered at the spa include Swedish,
Watsu, Shiatsu, poolside and pregnancy massages, reiki, aromatherapy,
reflexology, herbal wraps and facials. The Spa at Ocean Point offers
oceanfront panoramic views and features five treatment rooms, a fully equipped
gym, sauna, steam room, showers, lockers and a juice bar. Now through May 2001.
WHAT'S COMING TO SPA INDEX IN MARCH 2001
Additional Cruise Ship Spas
Spa Cuisine
Spa Tips for New Spa Visitors
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS
We love it when kindly souls forward our newsletter all over the globe, but we
love it even more when you sign up for your own free copy. It keeps our
sponsors happy. Please visit out homepage at www.spaindex.com and use the free newsletter
sign up link, or, send an email to newsletter@spaindex.com
and we'll sign up for you.
