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Announcing: NBC names exclusive destination partner for The Biggest Loser®: The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge, Utah
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La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico |
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The Ponte Vedra Inn, Club Spa, a North Florida Landmark since 1928 |
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Hyatt Regency Mission Bay and Blue Marble Spa, San Diego, California |
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The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa, Dallas, Texas |
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Red Rock River Resort, Hot Springs, South Dakota |
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Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico |
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Spas at Sea: Cruise Ship Spas |
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 Don't Miss: Spa Cuisine Recipes of the Month courtesy of the women-only retreat Green Mountain at Fox Run, Vermont
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SPA INDEX NEWS / AUGUST
31, 2002
ISSN: 1533-6417
WWW.SPAINDEX.COM
LIST YOUR SPA WITH SPA
INDEX
SPONSOR THIS NEWSLETTER
WRITE or SUBSCRIBE TO SPA INDEX NEWS
SPA INDEX ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SPA
INDEX welcomes
ZENA'S ISLAND DAY SPA
of Fresno, California (559-323-6596).
Zena's Island Day Spa offers
a calm oasis of sophisticated comfort in the heart of California's San Joaquin
Valley. Our quiet and relaxing atmosphere is specially designed to be free from
distractions where you’re surrounded by tranquil fountains and soothing aromas.
Zena's has an array of Day Spa services ranging from massage therapy, facials
and skin care, body services, specialty pedicures and manicures, as well as Spa
Day getaway Packages and Wedding Packages.
Treat yourself to an Island Mud Body Wrap or a
skin cleansing Hawaiian Sea Salt Glow. How about our signature Island Pedicure
or Spa Manicure? Or, indulge in one of Zena's massage options offered by
certified therapists, including Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue
Massage, Maternity Massage and more. Zena's technicians will pamper you with
your choice of specially designed services for an experience in indulgence you
will not soon forget.
BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENTS ONLINE
ANYTIME! GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE.
SPA INDEX QUICK FACTS:
 ALMONDS
There are two basic types of almonds: sweet and
bitter almonds. The sweet is used for eating purposes while the bitter is used
for its oil, both as flavoring and in cosmetics.
Almonds can be part of a healthy diet. Although
they are high in fat, it is approximately 67% monounsaturated fat, the type
prevalent in olive oil. Studies have shown that people who eat nuts on a
regular basis have a lower risk of heart attack or death from coronary artery
disease. Almonds also contain significant amounts of fiber, vitamin E, folate,
calcium and other vitamins and minerals. 20-25 almonds (approximately one ounce)
contain as much calcium as 1/4 cup of milk, a valuable tool in preventing
osteoporosis. Almonds are the best whole food source of vitamin E, in the form
of alpha-tocopherol, which may help prevent cancer. Almonds contain more
magnesium than oatmeal or even spinach. Are you listening, Popeye?
Historians generally agree that almonds and dates, both
mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, were among the earliest cultivated
foods.
In classical times, the Romans distributed sugared almonds as gifts to great men
at public and private events.
Distributing sugared almonds wrapped in tulle as a wedding favor is a tradition
that dates back to early European history. These almond "bonbonieres" symbolize
children, happiness, romance, good health and fortune.
Almonds were introduced to California in the mid 1700s.
The state's 6,000 almond growers produce 100 percent of the commercial domestic
supply and 80 percent of the world's supply.
ALMONDS IN THE SPA
The Golden Palms Spa and Resort in Bangalore, India, requires 24 hours
notice to prepare one of its signature treatments -- the Crushed Almond and Strawberry Smoother. This treatment
is a unique combination of nourishing oils, vitamins, almonds and exotic fruits
to energize and soften the skin, a gentle exfoliation to suit delicate and
sensitive skin.
The Yoga Spa and the Canadian Institute of Ayurveda, Canada's only
Ayurveda Spa Destination, offers Ayurvedic Manicures which include soaking
your dry hands in a moisturizing herbal mask and then a soothing warm
milk and almond hand bath.
The
Chico Day Spa at the Chico Hot Springs Resort in Pray, Montana, offers
The BearTooth Facial.
Designed
for a man, this mixture of crushed Almond and Oats with essential oils of
Pine, Cedar & Fir will soothe even the roughest face.
The
signature treatment at the Copperhood Inn & Spa in the Catskills is
the
European Body Treatment: This ultimate spa experience, blends an
invigorating almond body scrub, swedish massage and hot herbal wrap. Nearly
two hours of therapeutic bliss.
The
Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, Texas offers an Almond and Vanilla
Sugar Scrub. This gentle exfoliating scrub created from a mixture
of fine sugar, vanilla, and almonds will invigorate your skin and leave it
refreshingly clean.
The
Antoinette Day Spa and Salon in Paoli, Pennsylvania offers a
Victorian Hot Cream Manicure. You'll enjoy a hot almond
mousse moisturizing treatment followed by a luxurious manicure
The
Zen Spa & Health Studio in Puerto Rico offers the Honey Bee, a
conditioning exfoliation treatment with milk, crushed almonds and pure
honey.
SPA INDEX
has several recipes to take
advantage of the delicious and healthy almond -- from a simple but tasty
almond milk beverage from the Golden Door, to spa at home treatments.
SPA CUISINE
GOLDEN DOOR ALMOND MILK
Michel Stroot, Executive Chef, Golden Door, Escondido, CA
In a blender, combine the almonds, banana, water, vanilla,
and nutmeg with ice cubes. Process until smooth, and serve immediately. (Two
servings. Per serving: 99 cal, 4 g fat, 0 chol, 2 g protein, 13 g carb, 0 fiber,
1 mg sodium).
High
Fields Country Inn & Spa Resort, Zephyr, Ontario
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5 firm ripe pears
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3 cups (750 ml) unsweetened apple cider
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2 teaspoons (10 ml) finely minced fresh ginger
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pinch salt
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1/3 cup (75 ml) water
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3 Tablespoons (45 ml) arrowroot starch or
cornstarch
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1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) almond extract
Preparation time is 15 minutes; cooking time 10
minutes. Peel pears, cut them into quarters length-wise, and remove cores.
Slice thinly lengthwise. In a large saucepan, combine pears, apple cider,
ginger, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low;
simmer, covered, for 10 minutes, until pears are tender but not breaking up.
In a small bowl, stir together water and arrowroot or cornstarch and add to
the simmering pears, stirring until sauce is thickened and clear. Remove
saucepan from the heat; stir in almond extract. Pour apple-juice mixture
over pears, stir gently. Serve warm or cold. Serves 8. Per serving:
196 calories, 0.3 gram fat, 18 mg. sodium, 16 mg. calcium, 2 grams fibre.
SPA AT HOME
ALMOND FACIAL MILK
The herbal waters are
antiseptic and toning. Grapefruit seed extract is available in health food
stores, and is included in the recipe as a preservative.
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1/2 cup rose, lavender, or distilled water
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1 teaspoon pure vegetable glycerin
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1/4 to 1 teaspoon cold pressed organic almond oil
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12 drops grapefruit seed extract
Make the rose or lavender water by placing a small handful of dried
organic rose petals or lavender in a pint mason jar and adding boiling water
to cover. Let steep overnight, then thoroughly strain. Combine the remaining
ingredients in a glass jar and shake to blend. Dab some on your fingers or a
cotton ball and massage into your skin. Rinse with warm water. Keep stored
in the refrigerator for no more than a month or so. Discard at the first
sign of mold.
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END OF SUMMER ALMOND
BODY SCRUB
As the end of the summer season approaches, many of us are sporting
that attractive tell-tale sign of fun in the sun: Peeling
skin. Spa Index
has an excellent recipe for an Almond Body Scrub to gently and
thoroughly exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells. Body scrubs
feel wonderful and relieve the itch of flaking skin.
-
2/3 cup ground almonds
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1/3 cup oatmeal
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1/2 teaspoon of herbs (lavender, chamomile, etc) (optional)
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Plain yogurt, milk, or buttermilk, sufficient to make a
paste
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Essential Oils for scent (optional)
Combine the dry ingredients in a blender or food processor until
they are reduced to a coarse meal. Keep this "scrub base" in a glass
jar with a screw top in your refrigerator until ready to use. When
you want to use the scrub base, scoop out 1/4 cup into a small bowl,
and stir in enough of the liquid ingredients (vary it by what you
have on hand -- yogurt and milk are best, but water works) to make a
paste. Yogurt and milk are natural
exfoliants known as alpha hydroxy acids, and they will slough off
dead skin cells even without the scrub. Scoop up the paste
with your hands or a washcloth, and rub over your body to exfoliate
peeling skin. Rinse thoroughly.
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SPA INDEX READER QUESTION:
"I like your spa at home recipes -- I make
them with my Aunt once a month when we housesit together. This may be
a dumb question, but can you make your own deodorant/antiperspirant at home,
too? We were laughing that it's the only body thing have not made on
our beauty weekend." -- Emily K.
Emily -- I'm glad we
are contributing to a fun way to spend a weekend. Of course you can
make your own hygiene care at home -- however, let's distinguish between the
two products you mentioned. Antiperspirants and deodorants are not the same
thing. Antiperspirants work by clogging, closing, or blocking the
pores with powerful astringents such as aluminum salts so that they can’t
release perspiration. Many natural health care proponents argue
against using aluminum because it can accumulate in the brain. Deodorants
work by neutralizing the smell of the perspiration mixed with "body dust"
(skin, hair and bacterial goodies we carry around on ourselves all day), and
by antiseptic action against that bacteria. Deodorants are more healthful
because they don’t interfere with perspiration, a natural cooling process.
Here are a few simple recipes, which are fun to make because they can
customized with your favorite scents. We don't always have to smell
"powder fresh" or "sunshine fresh." I prefer ylang ylang, myself. --
Editor
-
Baking Soda: Baking soda works wonders because it neutralizes
the odor of sweat. Just sprinkle a light covering of baking soda onto a
damp washcloth. Pat on. Don’t rinse.
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Basic Deodorant Powder: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch, a few
drops essential oils such as lavender or cinnamon. Place the ingredients
in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Sprinkle a light covering of the powder
on a damp washcloth. Pat on. Do not rinse.
-
Basic Liquid Deoderant:1/4 cup each witch hazel extract, aloe vera
gel, and mineral water, 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin, a few drops
antibacterial essential oils such as lavender (optional). Combine the
ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Makes 3/4 cup with an
indefinite shelf life.
Next time: A reader requests a recipe for soothing and cooling
Liquid Talc. Recipe will be provided by Between Friends Too.
SUMMER SPA SPECIALS AND PROMOTIONS
We are happy to provide our subscribers with a sampling of
limited time offers for special packages, special rates, and workshops. You will find
more Spa Deals on the
Spa Index Specials Page.
In addition, Spa Index
boasts more Spa Giveaways, Promotions, and Contests than
any other Spa Site on the Internet. Visit our Spa Index Giveaways page where we have assembled a list of
participating spa facilities offering you the opportunity to win free spa trips,
days of beauty, and beauty products. Some of these specials begin anew
each month, so bookmark them and register
every month of the year for your chance to win.
Click Here to visit the entire Spa Index Giveaways Page.
________________________________________
SUBSCRIPTIONS
We love it when kindly souls forward our newsletter all over the globe, but
we prefer you sign up for your own free copy -- it keeps our sponsors happy.
Also, please don't claim the contents as your own, or post our news on a
website without crediting and linking back to Spa Index. To sign up,
please visit our homepage at
www.spaindex.com and use the free newsletter sign up link, or,
send an e-mail to
newsletter@spaindex.com and we'll sign up for you. ©2002
Spa Index
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