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SEPTEMBER 2004
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 Tea and Spa
Rituals
What better way to
combine two relaxing and rejuvenating expenditures of time -- the
care of one's self with slow, quiet, and careful spa treatments,
and, the sipping of tea in a thoughtfully prepared and beautifully
presented tea service?
Brewed tea is
relished by some as a healing Elixer, and by others as a ceremonial
tool. It's been described as both invigorating (thanks to the
caffeine in some varieties) and relaxing (certain varies of tea
contain theophylline, a muscle relaxant).
Whether you enjoy its uplifting
elements or calming properties, tea can become part of a liquid spa
treatment when presented in the right environment. With this issue of
Spa Index News, we spotlight spa facilities which offer both tea
and spa services for the perfect day of quiet and lovely rituals.
The Fairmont
Empress (Victoria, BC, Canada) 
Indulge in
one of Victoria's grandest traditions - Afternoon Tea at The Fairmont
Empress. For over 95 years, the majestic lobby of this landmark
hotel has played host to England's most beloved ritual - the taking of
Afternoon Tea. Award-winning Pastry Chef D'Oyen Christie works his
magic, ensuring an authentic and memorable experience - from your very
first sip of our secret Tea at The Empress blend tea, right through to
his freshly baked raisin scones served with Devon-style double Jersey
cream and strawberry preserves. Served in the relaxing atmosphere of the
elegantly restored Tea Lobby, overlooking Victoria's sparkling Inner
Harbor in the stately Harborside Room or under the hand-painted ceiling
of the Library, Afternoon Tea is an absolute 'must do' for all who visit
Victoria.
Now, the Fairmont Empress and its Willow Stream Spa bring you the
Morning Spa Afternoon Tea Package. Available year round, from
$199CAD per person, guests will enjoy a facial at the luxurious Willow
Stream Spa, then partake in the time-honored tradition of Afternoon
Tea. This exclusive package combines two signature Empress experiences,
perfect for couples or girlfriend getaways.
Visit the Empress on our Afternoon Tea at
the Spa page
Coolanowle
Country House (Ballickmoyler, Carlowe, Ireland)
Coolanowle
Country House & Leisure Centre is a unique haven of tranquility,
combined with a myriad of country pleasures for you to enjoy. You can
stroll over 3 acres of rambling parkland featuring beautiful beech wood
gardens and 18th century flax ponds, or tour the certified Organic
Farm. Coolanowle has been chosen as a Demonstration Farm, one of only
seven in the country, and specialises in Leisure, Spa, and Health Farm
breaks.
Guests arriving each Friday
are greeted with delicious Afternoon Tea consisting of luscious
scones, confectionery, teas, and coffees. The popular Buttercup
Package is available year round from Eu299 per person (low season),
and includes Afternoon Tea on arrival, accommodation for two nights,
Two Delicious Dinners, One Light & Healthy Lunch, Two Full Irish or
Buffet Breakfasts, 18 Holes Golf or Horse Riding Trek or Lesson,
Unlimited Use of Leisure Centre, Sauna & Steam Room, Personal Training
Session or Class, Full Body Massage or Reflexology, Facial, Manicure,
Pedicure, Eyelash & Brow Tint & Eyebrow Shape, and two Sunbed Sessions.
From Canada to
California
The
Millcroft Inn & Spa in Alton, Ontario, offers Afternoon Tea, plus a
30 Minute Massage and Spa Manicure. The Traditional Tea includes
delicate sandwiches, scones, preserves, fruit tartelette and Devonshire
Cream. Recently renovated, the new Millcroft Spa incorporates 17
treatment areas (including 11 private treatment rooms), private men's
and women's locker facilities with herbal steams and showers. The
Woodlands Lounge offers freshly-made juices, fireside seating and a
breath-taking view of our 100 acres of protected woodlands and meadows.
You are encouraged to bring your bathing suit as use of the facilities
is complimentary for guests.
Thanks to the dedicated hard work of
the staff of the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa in
Point Clear, Alabama, there is barely trace that Hurricane Ivan
passed through. The beautiful Grand is open for business and looking
forward to serving its returning guests complimentary afternoon tea
and cookies and morning coffee. Additional amenities include an Art
Mezzanine, Florist, Daily Recreation Schedule, full business center,
extensive meeting services, and fine cuisine. The European-styled spa
and salon at the resorts offers a complete day spa menu and full salon
hair services for guests of the hotels.
The Phoenician is home to the
Centre for Well-Being, the premier spa destination in
Scottsdale, Arizona. After your morning spa services, return to the
Lobby Tea Court. In the English tradition, afternoon tea is served
daily. Consistently voted "Best Afternoon Tea" by New Times and Arizona
Republic readers, full tea includes finger sandwiches, scones with
Devonshire cream and preserves, pastries and a selection of fine teas.
Classical music provides a charming backdrop for a genteel afternoon
break.
Castle Spa at the Antique Castle,
located in the beautiful Van Wyck Brooks Historical Section of
Plainfield, New Jersey, is the perfect location for an afternoon of
spa treatments, following a relaxing Afternoon Tea service in the
beautiful castle dining room. Castle Spa offers special tea and
treatment packages on Sunday afternoons. Enjoy two Spa Treatments and
enjoy complimentary Green, White or Black Teas complete with our own
organic version of the perfect tea sandwich (cucumber, smoked salmon
with cream cheese spread, and more), freshly baked scones served with
cream and fruit preserves, plus a wonderful selection of pastries.
The Olde Victorian Inn is home
to Miss Celie's Spa Orleans, a full service salon and spa, and,
nearby, the VooBrew Coffee and Tea Lounge. For an interesting
twist on tea service, after your spa treatments at Miss Celie's, try a
session of fortune telling with your coffee. Did you know that your
coffee cup holds clues about yourself, your present and your future? It
has been done for more than a thousand years in many areas of the
world. After drinking the liquid, the grounds of coffee that are left
behind in the cup create the symbols that may be the psychic key to a
person's future. The owners of Miss Celie and VooBrew are open and
welcoming guests now that Hurricane Ivan has moved on (thanks to their
watchful in-house deities).
Rising from water's edge on
the quaint Island of Coronado in San Diego, the Hotel del Coronado
is considered one of America's most beautiful resorts. A classic
historic hotel, The Del was built in 1888 and designated a National
Historic Landmark in 1977. The Del's Palm Court overlooks the Garden
Patio and is the location of the popular Sunday Victorian High Tea.
Spa services include a variety of massage techniques, full body
treatments including body exfoliation, herbal and mineral body wraps
and mud therapy, foot and eye enhancements. The full-service salon
offers hair, nail, skin care and make-up services. And the oceanfront
fitness center will help you work out your tension. Treat your teenager
to one of The Del's specialty designed spa teen packages such as the
Del's Lucky Chic Package, which includes a massage, manicure, pedicure
and facial.
The Village Spa is a charming
and unusual bed and breakfast styled day spa in quaint historic
Roslyn Village, New York, overlooking a scenic duck pond. The ideal
day spa for couples who don't care to pad about in public common areas,
guests choose one of four private spa suites and the treatment
providers visit the suite in turn, providing all services in one
relaxing setting. After services are completed, you may elect an add-on
option which permits you time stay in your suite and enjoy tea service
served on bone china. The spa suites feature a view of the pond,
Jacuzzi steam shower, TV/DVD, internet and private telephones.
Staff Favorites 
From LUSH:
"Chai means tea in Russian, Cantonese and many other
languages. We make Chai Shower Gel with tea and lots of spices,
including warming cinnamon leaf, even more warming ginger and allspice,
which is warming. We add cleansing, refreshing lemon juice, because
spicy tea is always better with a slice of lemon."
Ingredients: Chai Tea
Infusion (Camelia sinensis & Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium
Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Fresh Lemon Juice (Citrus
limonum), Cinnamon Leaf Oil (Cinnamomum cassia), Allspice Oil (Pimenta
officinalis), Ginger Oil (Zingiber officinale), Orange Blossom Absolute
(Citrus dulcis), Cocamide DEA, Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides),
Colour 18050, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. 8.4 oz, $10.40.
Available Online.
From Philip B. Botanical Products:
"Honey, a gentle natural cleansing humectant, Milk Proteins for gentle
exfoliation, Black Tea for tightening, toning and smoothing along with
Cardamom, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger root and Black Pepper: this magical
potion of Indian spices will stimulate and invigorate your Body while
soothing and calming your Soul. PHILIP BŪ Chai Latte Soul and Body
Wash celebrates the God and Goddess within us all."
Water, Honey, Sodium, Laureth Sulfate,
Cocamidopropyr Betaine, Disodiun Laureth Sulfo- succinate, Hydrolyzed
Milk Protein, Cocamide MEA, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Glycol Searate,
Elettaria Cadamomum Oil (Cardamom Oil), Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil
(Cinnamon Oil), Camellia Extract (Black Tea), Zingiber (Ginger Root
Oil), Myristica Fragrans (Nutmeg Kernel Oil), DMDM-Hydantoin,
Methyiparaben caramel, Sodium Chloride (Salt), Disodium EDTA, Citric
Acid. 12 oz., $32.40,
Available Online.
Luxury
Amenities on Nob Hill
Upon arrival
at San Francisco's downtown Huntington Hotel, guests are greeted
with formal tea or sherry service in the privacy of their own quarters.
The prestigious Nob Hill Spa is also at the full disposal of all
guests of the hotel, including ten distinct treatments rooms, eucalyptus
steam room, and indoor infinity pool overlooking the city, with
spectacular views of downtown through 18- foot-high windows.
Standard services and amenities at
the Huntington Hotel are tea or sherry service upon arrival, concierge
service, business center, room service, twice-daily maid service and
nightly turndown, complimentary morning newspaper, valet laundry
service, and complimentary access to Nob Hill Spa & Fitness Center.
Treatments available at the spa include a sumptuous variety of facials,
therapeutic massages, and healing body wraps, and, the popular
ScenTao package.
Based on the oriental philosophy of health, the goal of unique
two-part ScenTao wellness treatment is to bring free flow to the body's
energy. Using Asian plant extracts such as Ginkgo, Green Tea and
Bamboo, the journey begins with a full body aromatherapy exfoliation.
Heated stones are then used with massage along meridians to
enliven the Qi. Green Tea is served to bring health and a
ScenTao aromatherapy facial follows to create a feeling of total
well- being. This 100 minute package is priced at $245.
Visit Nob Hill Spa Online
 Green tea is
a powerful antioxidant and contains hundreds of phytochemicals. It also
makes delicious, simple, and refreshing end of summer beverages, perfect
for spa parties or a spa inspired lunch.
Sparkling Green Tea and Ginger Refresher
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1 tablespoon coarsely chopped ginger root
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2 tablespoons of loose green tea
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2 cups boiling water
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2 cups chilled ginger ale (diet or regular, your choice)
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Ice
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Lemon Grass Stalks
Steep the chopped ginger and green
tea in boiling water for approximately 20 minutes. Strain the infusion
into a glass pitcher. Completely chill, and then add cold ginger ale
and ice to fill. Serve with lemon grass stalks as swizzle sticks.
Iced Green
Tea with Pineapple by Siam Food
Remove tough outer leaves from of pineapple. Finely chop pineapple,
including the darker tops. Bring 4-1/4 cups water, chopped Pineapple,
and honey to a rapid boil. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Place
green tea leaves in a heatproof pitcher. Pour pineapple juice over the
leaves and let steep for 2 minutes. (If you leave it longer the tea
becomes bitter.) Strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Cut remaining
Pineapple stalk in half lengthwise, then crosswise. Let sit in tea
until cool. Refrigerate until very cold. Serve over ice, garnished with
a Pineapple stick.
A few beauty
tricks and treats with the tea bag ... courtesy of Stash Tea
Stash
Tea tells us "Pamper yourself without breaking the bank, or
leaving the comforts of your own home. Everything you need for a spa
experience is in your box of tea. Modern day tea infused formulas can be
inexpensive and best of all, effective. Following are some beauty
remedies you can try on your own."
- For puffy and fatigued eyes, soak cotton pads in the cold tea brew
and lay them on your eyes. Keep the pads on your lids for about 10
minutes. You can also refrigerate your used tea bags and lay them on
your eyes.
- For tired feet, soak your feet in the cold tea brew for about 15
minutes. This is a great way to treat your feet after a long day of
standing, walking, or running. You can also try soaking your feet in a
concentrated Peppermint Herbal tea brew for an aromatic soak.
- For the hair, warm (do not boil) 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons
fresh ground lavender, and the dry contents of 2 peppermint tea bags
in a saucepan. Massage into scalp over damp hair. Cover hair with
shower cap to keep heat in. Sit in the sun, if possible, for 20-25
minutes. Shampoo and rinse hair. Repeat this treatment once a month to
nourish and strengthen hair.
- Use black tea as a hair rinse to darken hair and add shine
- Get a temporary tea tan by soaking in unflavored black tea leaves
for about 20 minutes.
- Rinse your face with tea. Tea acts as an astringent, so it works
well on pimples. Do not wash off.
Stash Tea is one of the largest
specialty tea companies in the United States, with products available
through foodservice, grocery stores, tea and coffee shops, club stores,
mass merchandisers, natural foods stores, mail order and the Internet.
Tea Body's Tea
and Lip Balms 
Tea Body's
began with the simple idea that tea can be an important part of a
person's day, a way to refresh and inspire a person so he or she can
continue to strive to get the most out of life. Beginning with this
idea, the founders of Tea Body's developed a line of "all natural" teas.
The Tea Body's Teas begin with a special blend of Keemun and China Black
Tea leaves, which give it an inviting introduction and smooth finish.
Based on this initial success with all natural teas; Tea Body's
management decided to expand the company's product line into other all
natural products, utilizing the company's knowledge of natural oils.
Tea Body's turned its development efforts to the market for lip balms
using essential oils that compliment its tea "flavors." After a
tremendous amount of time, effort and research the final result is a
robust line of all natural lip & cuticle balms based on a broad
spectrum of natural essential oils.
The Spa Index staff enjoys "Tea Body's Morning Rain" tea in
the morning, and we love the companion "Tea Body's Morning Rain Lip
and Cuticle Balm" which is packaged in an innovative little tin for
your purse or gym bag. The balm contains saturated and unsaturated
soybean and vegetable lipids, jojoba oil, orange essential oil, ylang
ylang essential oil, plant stearic acid, peppermint essential oil,
vitamin E oil and mica.
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