We were fortunate enough to tour the Arkansas Spa Region this spring, and were guests of several spas and hotels in this beautiful state -- "The Natural State." Our favorite, hands down, was the Mountain Harbor Resort, which offers an impressive array of activities for the family, and the Turtle Cove Spa, for the spa enthusiast.

Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa offers guests every type of lodging needed, from affordable lakeside rooms, to family lodges, to luxury cabins and condominimums. Each have an attention to detail and a 50 year tradition of highly personalized service. In addition to the resort spa's broad array of spa treatments, including massages, facials, body treatments, crystal energy work, spa pedicures and manicures and more, you can enjoy the great outdoors in many ways. Just some of the activities include yoga in a wooded pavilion, hiking and mountain biking, swimming, diving, boating, horseback riding, crystal and diamond hunting, and more. The air and water around Lake Ouachita and Mountain Harbor Resort have received the highest ratings given by the EPA for purity. Lake Ouachita is rated as one of two of the cleanest lakes in the United States.

Our recommendation is the Family Fun Spa Package, which includes: family lodging for two nights in a beautiful two bedroom, two-bath condominium with fireplace, deck, fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer; One 50 minute spa service -- pamper Mom with some "Ahhhhh!" at Turtle Cove Spa, she gets her choice of a pampering service; Four trail rides -- to enjoy the natural beauty of the Ouachita National Forest with a guided horseback trail ride; and one day's use of a 25' party barge (Fuel not included) for use on Lake Ouachita. This package is priced at $978.10, and expires September 5.

Or, for a belated Father's Day gift, try the "It's A Guy's Trip, Honey". The 49,000 acre wilderness around Lake Ouachita is known as one of the best fishing lakes anywhere--especially this time of year--and professional guides know where the hot spots are. They also know how good a little spa pampering feels after a day of casting. Up to two people can enjoy the 1/2 day fishing trip and spa services, so bring along a fishing buddy. The "It's A Guy's Trip, Honey" Guided Fishing and Spa Package includes: Lodging for two nights in a newly remodeled cozy lakeside motel room, complete with personal size fridge, microwave, coffee maker, TV and VCR -- and your own patio overlooking Lake Ouachita; One- half day fishing trip with a professional guide (does not include fuel or gratuity); and Two 50 minute spa services of your choice. We recommend the Ouachita Hot Stone Massage to warm and loosen your muscles or a Gentleman's Facial for a face that's been in the weather all day. This package is priced at $665.25, and expires September 5.

Beaumont Ranch prides itself on providing guests with the best possible experience while on the ranch, and offer activities which will appeal to kids and parents alike. This summer, let Beau-Monde Spa take care of Mom all afternoon, while the kids enjoy "Youth Day."

Youth Day attendees enjoy Mesquite Smoked Brisket in Barbecue Sauce, Cole Slaw, Sliced Pickles, Ranch Beans, Onion Slices, Beaumont Ranch Potato Salad, Iced Tea and Water, all served in the Lone Star Barn, starting at noon on Thursdays, and afterward, access to activities in the Lone Star Barn, including Pony Bounce, Mechanical Bull, Giant Rocking Horses, Hay Rides, Carriage Rides, Pool Tables, Foosball, Play Ground, Logo Store, Horse Shoes, Volley Ball, Paddle Boats, Long Horns, Zebras, Llamas, Donkeys, 1880 Texas Panning for Gold, 30 minute Trail Rides (based on availability), Roping Demos and just plain fun under blue skies on a real, working Texas Ranch. Youth Day is every Thursday through July and August, $25.99 per person.

This Labor Day, take advantage of a thrilling selection of activities and down-home Southern hospitality - all at an incredible rate. Slip on your life jacket for a kayak or raft race. Hop on a bicycle and explore Civil War sites. Roast some s'mores underneath a shimmering night sky. Our fun activities include the Calloway Golf Tournament at the recently renovated Dogwood Course (fee), a round-robin tennis tournament (fee), family bingo, Teen Laser Tag, body art and tattoos for kids, night spikier volleyball, live poolside music, little girls' fingernail and toenail painting (with "spa"-type craft), and summer-themed arts and crafts. This travel-friendly package is a "labor" of love, priced from $279 per night, available Sept 2-5, and includes:

Deluxe accommodations
Family movie matinee, with popcorn and drinks
Giant Beach Bash, featuring a movie under the stars, volleyball, and a beach fire with s'mores
Complimentary Family Fun Center, featuring air hockey, pool, skeet ball, basketball, foosball, and games for toddlers
Complimentary Grand Activity Land, featuring a petting zoo, moon walk, sea of balls, snow cones, and cotton candy
A tour of the scenic Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Uncle Joe's Petting Zoo
General manager's reception

Mom and Dad can pamper themselves in the full- service Spa at the Cape Codder, offering organic Body Treatments, relaxing Massages, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures -- and Kid's services as well. Taking your child to the spa? Try the Tutti-Frutti Manicure Delight (20 minutes $25.00) Kids sip fruit juice while enjoying a salt candy hand soak, a Tutti- Frutti exfoliation, Tutti-Frutti moisturizer and choice of nail polish. Leave with a lollipop! Or, the Chocolate Milkshake Pedicure (40 minutes $45.00) Enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate while feet are soaked in a Chocolate Milkshake bath, manicured, then exfoliated with a Chocolate Scrub. Topping it off are an application of Whipped Cream Lotion and a jeweled toe-ring.

For the kids at play, the Cape Codder offers a full summer program with daily activities certain to entertain, or, they may spend every day in the exciting Indoor Wave Pool with 2' waves, 80' waterslides, dancing fountains, and 24-person Jacuzzi. Every evening, weather permitting, the resort offers Bonfire at Dusk, and, on Friday and Saturday evenings, Acoustic Guitar by the fire.

The Family Fun Vacation package includes 2 nights for a family of 4, including $30 meal allowance for lunch or dinner at the Grand Cru Wine Bar or Hearth 'n Kettle Restaurant, the Cape Codder Indoor Wave Pool, full spa services & much more. Rates vary this season.

This very special property includes a championship Scottish woodlands golf course, live summer entertainment in the revered Red Barn Theatre, a full spa and excellent recreation programming.

The Briars is recognized for its historic and natural significance by the Ontario Heritage Foundation and the Arboretum at the University of Guelph. The Briars' captivating marriage of traditional country inn warmth with extensive resort facilities provides such a sense of a private retreat that our guests consider us "Another World".

The Briars is renowned for the quality of its attention to the needs of children. "We like to think that we plan our space and our activities so that each member of the family enjoys the best combination of activities together and independently-active time and down time."

Summer programme: Children aged 3 to 10 have activities with their own counselors during the morning (9:30 to 12 noon), weekday afternoons (2 to 4:30) and evenings (6 to 8:15 except during dinner hours). The programs include crafts, beach time, pool time, scavenger hunts, BBQs, games, carnival nights and campfires. Older children join in adult activities or take accompanied soft adventures in kayaks or on bikes.

For the parents, the Briars Spa is a tranquil environment created especially to provide guests and day spa visitors with the finest in relaxation and personal care. Unwind and renew with such traditional therapies as hydrotherapy and massage. Try Hawaiian Lomi 'Oluli, Chakra balancing, or some of our other holistic health treatments. Quality aesthetic services, from pedicure to facials, are also available.

Every hat is packaged with a tube of Dermazone's Lyphazome® Moisturizing Sunscreen, SPF 30 skin care protection -- so truly -- no excuses! Your esthetician would approve.

Physician Endorsed hats are located within many fine day spas, nationwide, as well as upscale department stores. Visit our Spa Contests page for a special promotion -- you may win one of three (3) prize giveaways of Physican Endorsed Summer Sun Survival Kits, including hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, cameras, and more!

Contest Ends July 1, 2005

Roast:
12 lb center-cut beef tenderloin
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper

Salad:
2 lb asparagus, trimmed
2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsp lemon zest
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp sea salt

Caper Oil: 2 Tbsp + 1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp capers, drained and
 

To prepare roast: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Season tenderloin with sea salt and pepper. Heat large sauté pan over high heat. Add beef and sear outside until light brown, about 5 minutes. Place roast in baking pan and insert meat thermometer into center. Place in oven and roast until internal temperature reaches 130 degrees F, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

To prepare salad: Just before serving, bring 8 cups of water to a boil in large pot. Add asparagus and blanch 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in 8 cups of ice water for 1 minute. Remove asparagus and chop into 1" pieces. In large bowl, combine asparagus, basil, zest, juice, and salt. Mix well and set aside.

To prepare caper oil: In blender, combine oil and capers and puree, or use a mortar and pestle to form a thin paste.

To serve: Slice beef thinly and serve 3 ounces with 1/2 cup of salad per person. Drizzle beef with 1 teaspoon of caper oil.