Destination Spa Vacations

Celebrating Mom

Is your mom (or are you) a Goddess? I like to think so! Did you know that past celebrations of Mother’s Day had strong symbolic and spiritual overtones. Rather than actual moms, Goddesses and symbols, such as the “motherness" of the planet, were celebrated.

Today, the focus is placed on an actual person, making Mother’s Day a $16-billion industry says the National Retail Foundation. While the gifts are great, there are cost-effective ways to celebrate mom, including:

• Using your smart phone, capture video of people who know your mom and let them express how she is meaningful to them. I love this one! My adult kids live in other states, so I would love to receive messages like this from them.
• Leading up to Mother’s Day, let mom know specific things she has done to manifest positive change in your life.
• Surprising mom by helping her do something she has talked about for some time but hasn't taken action on.
• And, don’t forget the healthy breakfast-in-bed recipes from our spa members.

What are you doing to make this year extra special for mom? Debra

Healthy Recipe - Strawberry Chocolate Freeze - Green Mountain at Fox Run

Strawberries. Chocolate. Yum! The Strawberry Chocolate Freeze from Green Mountain at Fox Run has the texture of soft-serve ice cream and a gentle chocolate flavor. Plus, this recipe is easy enough for kids to make themselves. 

Strawberry Chocolate Freeze - Serves 4

• 1 1/3 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup 1% cow's milk or almond milk
• 1 T high quality cocoa powder
• 2 tsp sugar (if needed)

Combine frozen strawberries, milk, and cocoa powder in a food processor.  Taste after processing to a puree; add sweetener if necessary.

Spa Getaways Thrive Despite Slow Recovery

Financial journalist Vera Gibbons recently wrote about what I’ve known for some time and strongly believe… people receive such a return on investment from a spa trip, they continue to have these experiences even during financial challenges. Vera’s article for Reuters cited a recent survey from Golf Digest that shows spa and golf trips are going strong, particularly among groups of friends - Read here.

Destination Spa Group member Canyon Ranch was included in the piece. Here’s a snippet: “Every year, Diane Beck and a group of her closest friends head to Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. They have been doing this for eight years now — sometimes with goals (to lose weight; get fit, soul search; become more ‘centered’); sometimes without. ‘It’s a beautiful place,’ says Beck. ‘It’s all about me and my friends have that same attitude. Me, me, me. The whole experience makes it worthwhile.’”

That’s right, Diane, spas are all about you! Whether you want to take six classes a day or lie in a hammock or pool-side, there is a Destination Spa experience that is tailored to your tastes. I urge you to check out the 24 spas that are members of the Destination Spa Group and invite you to contact me with any questions you may have about their offerings.

Thank you, Vera, for showcasing that the spa experience is a worthwhile investment. It’s definitely worth my dollars, Debra

A First-Hand Account of Green Mountain from Spa Writer Anitra Brown

I’m a big believer in first-hand referrals. I use Yelp to find great sushi restaurants and am always asking my friends about their favorite getaways, exercise classes, etc. So, when I read a review of Green Mountain recently, I quickly added this Destination Spa to my “must visit” list.

Spa journalist Anitra Brown penned the article for the spa section of about.com, for which she is the editor. I love this excerpt form Anitra, “I've gained a lot of insight into my own attitudes and patterns towards food and eating. I tend to eat a ‘healthy’ but boring menu at home that has plenty of vegetables and whole grains and legumes, but lacks novelty. So when I get in a situation where my favorite ‘forbidden foods’ appear, like ice cream, I eat them because they're there.”

Anitra goes on to describe Green Mountain’s program of healthy eating and the lessons she took back home. The complete story may be found here - http://spas.about.com/b/2011/06/12/so-how-much-did-you-lose.htm?nl=1#gB3

How great would it be if we could all have an experience such as Anitra’s? With 24 Destination Spa Group members worldwide, there are plenty of amazing options that are ripe for your choosing!

I’m happy to talk with you at any time about Destination Spas, Debra

 

A Twist on the Traditional Family Vacation – Take the Kids to a Ranch!

Tired of having the kids in the house or hearing them say they are bored? Looking for some adventure besides driving the family van on the expressway? Canada’s Echo Valley Ranch wants you to saddle up.

From July 15 to Aug. 20, Echo Valley Ranch will offer three-, four- and seven-night family vacation packages for families of four. Family ranch vacations at Echo Valley Ranch and Spa are equal part wilderness adventure destination and world-class spa retreat. Kids and teens experience fun, stimulating learning activities, from catching a trout, to roasting s'mores around a fire. Parents indulge in spa treatments and spend time over a leisurely dinner.

Not convinced yet? How about learning how to lasso, playing with the ranch's 10 border collies, BBQs with campfire stories, and barrel racing competitions? Wonder if I can convince my 18- and 21-year-old to try this out? Dreaming about being on the ranch, Debra

Summer, Summer, Summer Time! Destination Spas Cook Up Wellness

Hanging out on the couch is not an effective way to approach a summer of wellness. Of course, nor is eating a season’s worth of ballpark hot dogs, ice cream and nachos! Instead, let’s make 2011 the summer to cook up a lifestyle of wellness.

From amazing fitness classes to one-of-a-kind theme weeks, Destination Spa offerings appeal to everyone who needs a little well-being and renewal. Plus, the lessons you learn will come in handy at home for seasons to come.

Green Mountain at Fox Run – Young Women’s Program

• Offered throughout the summer, this program is designed for women from 18 to 24 who find it difficult to maintain an ideal weight. In a non-threatening environment, participants learn how to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle without deprivation

Lake Austin Spa Resort – ABS-olutely Paddle Board Class

• This new floating fitness class fuses balance, strength and coordination on the waters of Lake Austin. ABS-olutely Paddle Board was created for all fitness levels and combines the fun of stand-up paddle boarding with a series of intense core conditioning moves including yoga, squats and sit-ups - all while floating on the water

Mountain Trek – Kick Start Package

• Offered throughout the summer in picturesque British Columbia, Mountain Trek offers its inclusive fitness & weight loss program for adults. The week-long (Saturday-Saturday) program has guests participating in a structured & very active program that highlights the connections between fitness, stress reduction & supportive nutrition

 

Turn Dad into a Relaxed Spa Papa

Dad’s day is June 19 and June is also Men’s Health Month! Time to celebrate the guys in your life and, personally, I can’t think of anything better than taking them to a Destination Spa.

The International SPA Association reports that just over 30 percent of spa-goers are male. At Destination Spas, men often accompany their female counterparts and engage in the rigorous hiking, rock climbing and fitness classes. Many Destination Spas offer corporate retreats and executive health programming that appeal to men. Here’s a sampling of upcoming offers to boost Dad’s interest:

• Golf Getaway Summer Special from Cal-a-Vie – Can’t decide between a golf trip and a spa retreat? Have both! Special rates on this package between July 10 & Sept. 4
• Father’s Day at The Oaks at Ojai – from June 17-24, save a beefy 40 percent off Dad’s rate when he shares a room with you!  Extended hikes and free day passes for guys to visit the Ojai Valley Athletic Club will make Dad smile
• Red Mountain’s Fitness Intensive Retreat – starting at $295, the rigorous and fun activities in this package make it easy to sustain a long-term commitment to health. This seven-night package includes a fitness consultation, metabolic profile, personal training, heart rate workshop and Eat Well, Feel Well cooking demonstrations

Girlfriend Getaways: Destination Spas Picked by Woman’s Day

Need a summer break with the girls? Well, load them up and head to a Destination Spa! I was proud to see the Destination Spa Group highlighted in a May article from Woman’s Day. The topic was the benefits to women of spending time away with their girlfriends. I agree! I have been known to go on a yoga retreat with a dear friend in Mexico, road trips with my daughter (plus many Spring Breaks), as well as stay-cations spent receiving manis & pedis at local day spas.

Searching for the right Destination Spa getaway for your girlfriends? Here are two that I suggest:

• Spa Eastman – save by making it a girls’ getaway and enjoy a massage, manicure and pedicure. This spa package, at $239 per person, also includes lunch and access to pools, hammam, exterior pond and tubs
• Calling all 'wannabe' cowgirls. If you've ever wanted to ride the range and throw a lasso, yet still like a little luxury at the end of the day, the Echo Valley Ranch girls’ getaway package will get your spurs jingling and your spirits soaring. Set the pace with an early morning Thai yoga class, then saddle up and ride the trails of the Gold Rush days (including a gourmet picnic lunch), refresh mind and body with a spa treatment at the end of the day, and still have time to watch the sun go down

Summer Wellness at Destination Spas

The lazy days of summer have been replaced with the amazing days of summer at Destination Spas. Wow, that’s the truth! Wouldn’t it be great to take some time this summer and focus on personal wellness?!

Well, from a culinary school at Red Mountain, to being up to your elbows in clay at Golden Door, and sweet summer slumber after a visit to the Oaks at Ojai, Destination Spas want to re-charge you this summer. With 24 locations from Phuket to Illinois from which to choose, all Destination Spa Group® members offer a complementary balance of fitness, healthy cuisine, life-enhancing programs and relaxing spa services. Check out what we found:

Golden Door Creative Renewal 

• This aesthetic journey is full of imagination and intuition. At the end of June, get up to your elbows in clay, lay down a swash of bright paint, or create with scissors and glue. Re-discover that free-spirited self you haven’t seen in a while. Dr. Judith Greer Essex is a pioneer in the art-based therapy movement and respected as an expert in the role of the body and creative expression in psychological integration

Oaks at Ojai  Better Sleep Weekend

• In serious need of some ZZZs? Presented July 8-10, experts will share their "Calming the Body  Quieting the Mind" programs as well as “Nidra Secrets” for a night of blissful slumber

Red Mountain Eat Well, Feel Well Culinary School

• Ever dreamed of going to culinary school? Better yet, culinary school where you may actually lose weight! During special weeks in June, July & August, Chef Dale Van Sky of Red Mountain explores the many rich flavors and creative healthy cuisines from our premier chefs to help you eat and feel well

Enjoy!  Debra

Celebrate Mom in Style at a Destination Spa

As a mom, I am biased in believing that Mother’s Day is one of the best days of the year. And, as a spa lover, there’s really no better way to celebrate than with wellness, spa goodies or, even better, a spa experience. Destination spas want mom to feel special and they’ve put together specials as well as tips to make mom smile. A sampling:

• At Green Mountain at Fox Run, moms are being celebrated the entire month of May. In fact, when mom and a child book a stay in May, they’ll save 10% and receive one complimentary massage each
• The team at the Heartland Spa says there's not a week that goes by that the spa doesn't welcome a mother and daughter!  The Heartland staff strongly recommends making time for mother/daughter bonding  It doesn't have to be extravagant... a simple trip to the grocery store together, a leisurely walk around the block, or a scheduled "catch-up" phone call once a week will keep moms and daughters feeling close
• From Lake Austin Spa Resort, suggestions for a budget-friendly Mother’s Day including an at-home spa day – watch a movie and enjoy hand scrubs, hand softening treatments and facials with items from your refrigerator and pantry. And, make a pressed flower card for mom with her favorite blooms

Here’s to Mom, Debra