Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Low-Fat Spa Cheesecake


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Serves 10

Cheesecake Ingredients:
1 lb. Neufchatel Cheese
10 oz. Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
1/2 lb. Fructose
4 1/2 sheets Gelatin
1/2 Lemon, zest and juice
2 T. Skim Milk

Crust Ingredients:
14 T. Graham Cracker Crumbs
2 T. Water

Topping Ingredients:
10 T Fruit, pureed, strained
1/4 C. Sugar
1/4 Lemon, juiced
1 Sheet Gelatin

Directions:
  • Blend until smooth (food processor) Neufchatel cheese with fructose and place in mixer.

  • Blend cottage cheese (food processor) until very smooth and combine with Neufchatel and fructose. (Note: Adding fructose to both cheeses while mixing will cause it to blend smoother.

  • Add lemon zest to mixer.

  • Let gelatin soak for 1 minute in cold water and then place in heated milk to dissolve thoroughly.

  • Mix in mixer with already combined ingredients.

  • Place mixture over graham cracker crust.

  • Place in refrigerator to set.

Healthy Heart Exercise to Re-energize Your Day

@RedMountainSpa
Bent Knee Leg Lift: While sitting in your chair, lift your right foot a few inches off of the floor. Keep your knee bent at a 90 degree angle and hold the position. Repeat with the left leg. Repeat 1-3 sets for 30 seconds.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Home-Grown Boot Camp Workout

@Redmountainspa

By Kim Watters,
Fitness Manager

There are many benefits to working out at home especially if you have concerns about saving money. So, if you need to tighten up your belt and your wallet read on about the many benefits of this Home-Grown Boot Camp Workout.
  1. You can save money by avoiding gym fees, child care fees and parking fees.

  2. You will save driving time and the time you use to look publicly acceptable.

  3. You can workout anytime of the day or night - your home gym is always open.

  4. You can dress however you please - nobody is looking.

  5. You will have privacy, so grunt and sweat it up all you want.

  6. You are your own drill sergeant so you don’t have anyone yelling and spitting in your face.

Convinced? Hooah! Let's get you started with your Home-Grown Boot Camp; you will need space, a sturdy chair or coffee table, two paper plates, a step or stair, a watch or timer and your own body weight.

First
Set up eight circuit training stations. (A good circuit training course works multiple muscle groups to create muscular balance and elevate the heart rate at the same time.) These circuit training station exercises can be executed in the same space for the majority of the exercises. Or for variety, you can set up eight different spaces for each station.

Give yourself enough space for the following exercises:
Station 1: Jumping Jacks
Station 2: Triceps Dips (a chair or coffee table is needed)
Station 3: Squats
Station 4: Crunches or Sit-Ups (use a fit ball if you have one)
Station 5: Step-Ups (a step or stair is needed)
Station 6: Push-Ups (space on the floor, a chair or coffee table is needed)
Station 7: Sliding Side Lunges (two paper plates are needed)
Station 8: Lower Back Extension

Second
Warm up your muscles: Jog in place for 2-5 minutes or take a power walk around your house. Feel free to add skipping, leaping, sliding and hopping for variety. A warm-up prepares the body for more rigorous exercise and helps the body avoid injury while exercising.

Third
The Workout
Station 1: Jumping Jacks - or for a more challenging workout try Power Jacks
Begin with your feet together, and then jump up and out taking your feet wide to the side, landing in a low squat. Next jump up and in to bring your feet back together. Let your arms follow the movement of your legs.

Station 2: Triceps Dips
Sit on the edge of your chair or coffee table. Begin with your hands next to or slightly under the hips. Lower your butt towards the floor bending your elbows (no lower than 90 degrees). Push back up without locking the elbows. To make this exercise more challenging, walk your feet farther away.

Station 3: Squats
Start in a standing position with your feet shoulder width apart. Bend at the knees and lower your body to the ground, sticking your butt out as if you were going to sit in a chair. Avoid letting your knees continue past your toes. Keep your weight in your heels. Straighten in to a standing position.

Station 4: Crunches or Sit-Ups
Lie on the floor face up with hands behind your head. Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor about shoulder width apart. Tighten the abdominal muscles and curl/crunch your spine away from the floor. Avoid pulling on the neck with your hands. Leave enough room for an apple under your chin.

Station 5: Step-Ups
Stand approximately 6 to 8 inches from the center of the step. Step up onto the step/stair with your left foot, heel first and then the right foot. Return your left foot to starting position on the floor with the right foot following. After a few repetitions, try changing the lead leg, so you will first step up with the right foot followed by the left foot. Or try an alternating knee lift. Step up onto the step/stair with your left foot, heel first, and then lift the right knee. Return your right foot to starting position on the floor with left foot following.

Station 6: Push-Ups
Place your toes and hands on the floor (plank position), keep your back and arms straight (avoid hyper extending your back). Keep your hands slightly more than shoulder-width apart. Lower yourself towards the floor, stop as your elbows reach a 90-degree angle, and then push yourself away from the floor and into plank position again.

Station 7: Sliding Side Lunge
Put two paper plates on a carpeted floor and stand on them. The balls of the feet should be towards the center of the plate, and the heels of the feet should be lifted up off the plate. Extend the right leg from the hip joint to your right side, sliding the plate with your foot as the leg extends. The left knee bends to allow the right leg to extend further. Push down into the plate with the ball of the foot; continue to push down as you slide the foot and plate back into the starting position. Alternate your legs sliding from side to side. You can do this in place or travel all over your house.

Station 8: Lower Back Extension
Lie on the floor face down. Keep your arms close to your body as you bend your elbows to bring your hands under your shoulders. Keep your legs together. Tighten your abdominal muscles, lifting your belly button up away from the floor. Lengthen your spine and maintain a long neck throughout the exercise. Then lift your chest away from the floor arching your back. Lower to starting position.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Vegetarian Chili


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Serves 12

Ingredients:
1/2 Eggplant, peeled and diced
1/4 t. Olive Oil
1/2 Onion, diced
1 1/3 t. Garlic, minced
3/4 Green Bell Pepper, diced
14 oz. Canned Tomatoes
10 oz. Red Ripe Tomatoes
2 1/2 t. Chili Powder
1 1/3 t. Cumin Powder
1 1/3 t. Oregano Powder
1 1/3 t. Basil Powder
2/3 t. Black Pepper
1/2 t. Kosher Salt
2/3 t. Fennel Seed
3 1/2 T. Fresh Parsley, chopped fine
1/2 C Pinto or Anasazi Beans, cooked
1/2 C. Garbanzo Beans, canned
1 3/4 T. Dill, fresh chopped
2 1/2 t. Lemon Juice

Directions:
  • Peel and dice eggplant. Place in a perforated pan and sprinkle with kosher salt. Let stand for 1 hour and pat dry.

  • Preheat a soup pot or tilt skillet; add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pot.

  • Saute the eggplant, onions, garlic and green pepper until tender.

  • Add remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring frequently.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Why Workout in the Water?


@RedMountainSpa

By Kim Watters,
Fitness Manager

In the last thirty years exercise in the pool has developed into one of the most beneficial workouts for the entire body. Not only do you have the ability to get your cardiovascular system fit, but what a wonderfully supported environment to build strength and flexibility as well.

When most people think about water aerobics they visualize the older generation in the pool flouncing around. Today, hit any pool class and you’ll see people ranging from the de-conditioned to athletes. Today’s certified water fitness instructors are able to impact all fitness levels by teaching power and speed of movement multiplied by the intensity behind it. Smaller, slower movements can be used to create mobility to the joints, flexibility, and relaxation. Larger, full range of motion movements can be used for increasing strength and heart rate.

Water workouts offer a warm and supportive environment, yet allow you to challenge yourself. The pool’s buoyancy reduces about 75% of your body weight, making movement easier on the joints. At the same time, the environment of the pool forces you to push up to 12 times the resistance of air when moving in the water. The mere motion of walking frontward and backward in the pool forces you to use your core muscles, thus, making it a great environment to increase strength in your posture muscles.

The cooling water in the hot summer sun makes the pool an ideal environment for cardiovascular activity. Your sweat is at a minimum while your heart is challenged to gain cardio strength and endurance. There is an array of water fitness exercises to challenge heart, legs, upper extremities and core muscles.

The pool is not only a great place for building strength and endurance, but it is ideal for creating flexibility. Slow, meditative, full range of motion movements create suppleness and flexibility for the whole body, mind, and spirit. And last but not least, the compression of the water stimulates both blood and lymph flow reducing muscle stiffness and detoxification of the tissue.

Remember cross training is key to improving physical fitness. So, if you are looking for a way to change up your workout, next time, make a splash and jump into the pool!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Airport Chair Stretching Exercises

@Redmountainspa

By Kim Watters,
Fitness Manager
  1. Inner Thigh Stretch: Sit towards the front edge of your chair. Open your legs wide with your knees bent. Put your hands on the insides of your knees and push back opening your legs wider and deepening the stretch.

  2. Hamstring & Calf Stretch: Sit towards the front edge of your chair. Straighten your legs, and pull your toes towards your shins. Lean forward with your hands on the tops of your thighs for support (flexing at your hip joints).

  3. Glut, Hip & Outer Thigh Stretch: Sit towards the front edge of your chair. Cross your left ankle over your right knee and lean forward flexing from your hip joints, moving your chest closer to your shin bone.

  4. Ab & Side Stretch: Sit towards the front edge of your chair. Lengthen your arms over head and exaggerate your reach. Also, try reaching farther through your right hand lengthening the right side of your body more, then switch reaching through the left hand and the right heel.

  5. Neck Stretch: Sit towards the front edge of your chair. Raise your shoulders up and press down. Repeat a few times, then roll them forward, up, back and then down. Repeat a few times. Turn head as far to the right as possible. Repeat to the left. Next, tilt head to the right and then repeat to the left. Next tilt the chin down and then pull the chin in towards the Adams apple.

  6. Back Stretch: Sit forward on your chair and open the legs a little wider than the hips. Lean forward from the hips and drop your torso down. Let the head and arms hang down toward the floor.

Hold your stretches for at least 20 seconds and you can repeat them up to four times for the most flexibility gains.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Fudge Cherry Cake with Raspberry Sauce


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Serves 16

Cake Ingredients:
1.75 C Wheat Flour, All-Purpose
2 C Granulated Sugar
3/4 C Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1.5 T Baking Soda
1.5 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
2 Large Eggs
1 C Milk
1/2 C Canola Oil
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
3/4 C Frozen Cherries

Sauce Ingredients:
1 C Frozen Raspberries
1 C Cranberry Juice
1 C Fructose
1 C Cornstarch

Cake Directions
  • Mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt).

  • Mix the wet ingredients (eggs, milk canola oil, and vanilla extract).

  • Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.

  • Mix frozen raspberries into the batter.

  • Power the batter into an oil-sprayed 8x8 baking pan.

  • Bake at 350 degree for 25 minutes.

Sauce Directions:
  • Bring the raspberries, fructose and cranberry juice to a boil.

  • Thicken with a slurry of cornstarch and cold water.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Tips for a Healthy Flight


@Redmountainspa

By Reema Sayegh,
Nutritionist

Don't fall victim to the unhealthy choices at the airport or on a flight. Below are several things that can help you resist temptation and arrive at your destination healthy and relaxed.

In order to minimize water retention while you're airborne, consider making the following nutrition choices:

Prior to your flight, eat a light snack that focuses on nutrient-dense, lower-calorie, low-fat foods such as fruit with a dab of nut butter, a small amount of raw trail mix or a low-sugar smoothie. Be sure to consume enough water as well, at least 20 ounces.

During your flight, skip the alcohol and caffeinated and/or sugared sodas. Choose virgin Bloody Marys or a low-sugar juice. If you really yearn for cranberry juice, order it with water and dilute 50/50. The potassium (and other minerals) in these drinks will offset possible in-flight edema.

Also select a low-sodium meal (to keep water retention at bay); even better, a vegetarian or vegan meal to also keep fats to a minimum (they contribute to nausea and other stomach discomforts).

Finally, to ease possible quease, order ginger ale (diluted with water) and sip slowly. Better yet, hit the health food store prior to travel and have some ginger lozenges on hand (you'll save over 100 calories!).

Enjoy the flight!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Red Mountain Trout Baked in Yellow Corn Husks


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Serves 4

Trout Ingredients:
2-8 oz. Idaho Trout Fillets
8 tsp Fresh Herb Rub (see recipe below)
8 slices Lemon
8 slices Roma Tomato
4 sprigs Fresh Thyme
4 squeezes Fresh Lemon Juice
Dash over each fillet Kosher Salt
1-2 per fillet Corn Husks

Fresh Herb Rub Ingredients:
1/2 C Fresh Parsley, chopped
1/2 C Fresh Oregano, chopped
1/2 C Cliantro, fresh, chopped
1/4 C Fresh Rosemary, chopped
1 T Mustard Seed
Pinch Cayenne
Pinch Salt
Pinch Pepper
2 T Lemon Juice
4 T Olive Oil

Trout Directions:
  • Soak the corn husks in water to hydrate.

  • Cut each 8-ounce trout filets in half, making four 4-ounce servings.

  • Squeeze a small amount of lemon juice onto the trout; add a small sprinkle of Kosher salt over each serving.

  • Brush the trout with the herb rub.

  • Top the trout with alternating slices of lemon and tomato; top each serving with a sprig of thyme.

  • Carefully flip the trout over onto the corn husks so that the tomato/lemon/thyme are lying on the husk.

  • Fold the husk over so that the trout is completely sealed inside; cover with a damp towel and reserve for service.

  • To finish, bake for 6-7 minutes in a 400 degree oven.

Directions for Herb Rub:
  • Mix the dry ingredients.

  • Mix the wet ingredients.

  • Mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients.

Healthy Heart Exercise to Re-energize Your Day

@RedMountainSpa
Calf Raises: Stand in front of a desk or other piece of furniture you can hold on to for balance. Raise your heels of the floor and slowly lower them. For a challenge try to do it with out holding on to something. 8-12 repetitions

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Earth Day Celebrations at Red Mountain

@RedMountainSpa

Earth Day is turning 40 on April 22, 2010. In celebration of this day and the entire month of April, Red Mountain is happy to present the following activities and promotions.

National Earth Day 40th Anniversary Celebration with Shaman Spirit Betina Lindsey
Complimentary and open to all Red Mountain guests

In celebration of the 40th year of National Earth Day, spend 15 minutes of your time enjoying the sights and sounds of the DVD "The Universe Story" by cultural historian, Thomas Berry and Cosmologist, Brian Swimme, played for you by Red Mountain Resort & Spa's Shaman, Betina Lindsey.

From there, proceed with Betina to the patio where, surrounded by the beauty of the desert floor and red cliffs, Betina will offer music of the Native American flute and a blessing

Earth Month Specials at Sagestone Spa & Salon

The Eco Escape Organic Facial
An organic treatment that invites you to escape to authentic and comforting nature and that restores all the benefits of nature to moisturize, de-pollute and reveal the natural radiance of the skin. Ultra-relaxing de-stressing techniques, along with delicious fragrances and textures that transport you to an orchard bursting with summer fruit, a wheat field and an herb garden fragrant with the scents of Provence. Equavie professional products are certified by Ecocert and bear the Cosmébio label. They contain a maximum of organic and 100% natural ingredients to restore the best of nature in its most authentic form.
Special price: $69.00 (50 minutes)/$99.00 (80 minutes)

The Sacred Nature Organic Face & Body Ritual
An anti-aging treatment which is nourishing and protective with organic products. This full body and facial ritual is a natural treatment, indicated for all skins even the most sensitive. Detoxifies, deeply nourishes and protects the skin leaving it noticeably soft and radiant.
Special price: $99 (75 minutes)

Earth, Spa & Spirit Retreat with Shaman Spirit Betina Lindsey
If you are one of the increasing number of people who feel a deep need to connect to Earth and Spirit, you are ready to walk with "Shaman Spirit" guide Betina Lindsey. In the ancient tradition of indigenous healers we will open sacred space to bring alive your connection to the spiritual world of nature for insight, guidance and healing. Betina will lead you on pilgrimages to Anasazi Ridge and Snow Canyon - sacred places of power - to learn practices of shamanic health and healing. Beneath the desert night sky during fire ceremonies, we will offer prayers for healing the personal and planetary soul. Offered April 22-25 and October 21-24. Click here for details.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Lemon Curd with Sabayon


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Lemon Curd Ingredients:
2 C Agave Syrup
6 T Cornstarch
2/3 C Water
5 Large Egg Yolks
7 fl. oz. Lemon Juice
1/4 C Lemon Peel
7 fl. oz. Vanilla and Mascarpone Sabayon (see recipe below)

Vanilla & Mascarpone Sabayon Ingredients:
1/2 lb. Mascarpone Cheese, softened & whipped
1/3 C Fructose
1 pint Yogurt, plain
2 Vanilla Beans, scraped

Directions for Lemon Curd:
  • Bring agave syrup, fresh lemon peel, cornstarch and water to a simmer in a heavy gauge saucepan, stirring constantly until thick and bubbly.

  • In a separate container, mix together egg yolks and lemon juice.

  • Slowly add yolk/juice mixture into simmering agave mixture to temper the yolks, stirring constantly until completely incorporated and thick.

  • Cool and reserve.

  • Top each serving with 1/2 tsp of sabayon.

Directions for Sabayon:
  • Mix all ingredients, blending until smooth.

  • Serve cold or at room temperature with fresh sliced fruits or berries.

April Events at Red Mountain Resort & Spa

@RedMountainSpa

April is a busy month at Red Mountain. We hope you can join the fun.

April 4-6 The Spa Within: Revitalizing Body-Mind-Spirit Everyday with Dr. Karen Wolfe
Maintaining good health and living a lifestyle graced with balance and purity must start from within, and shows that when we live in this way we are able to more fully enjoy the body's radiant beauty and vitality throughout our lives.

April 4-11 & 18-25 Detoxification & Renewal
Our team has created a Detoxification & Renewal program that improves mind, body and spirit, and provides you with the knowledge, products and support for a complete 28 day detoxification program.

April 7-9 It's Just My Nature with Carol Tuttle
Carol has assisted thousands of people in developing their true nature to optimize their gifts and talents to create a high level of personal freedom and wealth in all areas of their lives. She is the best-selling author of "It's Just My Nature! A Guide to Knowing and Living Your True Nature" and the creator of Energy Profiling, an intuitive personality profiling system that is based in scientific principles.

April 9-12 Release & Renew
The weekend package is a great way to get away for a long weekend to reconnect with your body, mind and spirit. You will meet with Life Coach Cindy Clemens each day for a fun and insightful group activity that will help you reconnect with what is really important in your life and how to eliminate the energy drains and distractions getting in your way.

April 11-18 & April 25-May 2 Weight Loss & More!
Sustainable weight loss is achievable when you have the right tools and know how to make good choices. At Red Mountain, with our Weight Loss & More! Package, we know there isn't a one size fits all solution. Instead we focus on you as an individual - mind, body and spirit.

April 15-18 StoryShards: Reform the Vessel of Your Life
In this unique retreat, world traveling visual artist Lisl Dennis is your field guide on an archaeological dig into memory, imagination and personal story. Through an exotic multimedia presentation - a visual vessel - of pilgrimage, ritual and ceremony, Lisl encourages you to do some mapping, tracking and spadework of your own.

March 21-28 Fitness Boot Camp
Attention: We're taking roll call at Jumpstart Fitness Boot Camp where Red Mountain's drill sergeants (AKA fitness instructors) will lead you through your paces. The mission is to find fitness activities that you'll love so much you stick with your commitment for improved health.

April 18-25 Finding Your Life Purpose with Clairvoyant Todd Hershey
Todd is a professional speaker who performs seminars on individual development as well as other forms of metaphysical growth. He is an expert in the art of directing energy and has traveled throughout the United States conducting presentations on creating balance, increasing energy and the ability to create change.

April 22-25 Earth, Spa & Spirit
If you are one of the increasing number of people who feel a deep need to connect to Earth and Spirit, you are ready to walk with "Shaman Spirit" guide Betina Lindsey. In the ancient tradition of indigenous healers we will open sacred space to bring alive your connection to the spiritual world of nature for insight, guidance and healing.

April 24 Pound Puppy Gala
Red Mountain is proud to host this Ivins "No Kill" Animal Shelter fundraiser. Come out and join John Garcia and Jeff Popowich from Best Friends Animal Society to raise funds for our local shelter.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

The Art of Massage

@RedMountainSpa

By Elisabeth Nehme of [ comfort zone ]


Massage is a nurturing encounter that must be experienced and taught through physical contact. It is difficult to explain in words what can be expressed with a loving touch on a tired, aching body.

Emotions and pain build a barrier of protection around the body, creating a loss or excess of energy. Sensitive areas have either too little or too much energy. By touching or massaging these tender areas it is as if you were “listening to the body” - being able to feel and live again. This transformation will become evident both internally and externally through your new smile, your look and the color of your skin.

The [ comfort zone ] philosophy intends to express itself through massage in a new, simple and effective manner. The choice of each sequence is inspired by ancient rituals from distant practices, following the fine lines of a universal language that transforms each massage technique into a unique “message” from the body and soul.

The body’s physiology allows us to obtain deep results within...from the skin to the muscles, from the muscles to the blood, from the nerve endings to the lungs...each cell interacts with the other as if they were dancing. The body’s ability to expel toxins, shed tension and alleviate pain increases. It becomes evident that nature plays its course in this cycle.

Massage is something that is started but that never finishes, that indefinitely continues and that becomes ever more profound and elevated. Massage is a subtle art. It does not just mean having the ability but also knowing how to express love.

You need contact...when you massage you must think only of massaging. Don’t think about anything else. Go with your fingers, with your hands and allow your entire body to follow them. Do not accept just mere physical contact. Your soul penetrates the other person’s body, and the more intense tension melts away.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Sustainability and the Products We Use


@RedMountainSpa

By Myrna Beardshear,
Director of Spa & Wellness

At Red Mountain Resort & Spa we know that maintaining a healthy environment now is the key to preserving it for the future. The current trend in many industries is to “go green,” and the spa industry is no exception.

Sagestone at Red Mountain Spa challenged our suppliers to present to us information on their practices in support of sustainability. The first reports are in and we are proud to announce that our major suppliers are committed to safe practices and procedures aimed at protecting our priceless environment.

Davines – Hair Care:
In 2006 Davines joined forces with Lifegate, a leading Italian eco-cultural network. They are collaborating on Lifegate’s Zero Impact Initiative, which put into place the objectives of the “Kyoto Protocol” aimed at assessing and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the main cause of the green house effect and global warming. In practice they are offsetting the environmental impact of manufacturing their Essential Haircare range by contributing to the care and reforestation of 85,077 square meters in Costa Rica and 9,470 square meters in Italy.

Davines became one of Lifegate’s first clients to be supplied with clean energy - energy that is entirely renewable and non-polluting because it is produced by the sun, wind, water and land.

[comfort zone] Body & Skin Care Products:
The key ingredients of the [comfort zone] sun system comes from a plantation in the northern part of Brazil. Part of the income derived from the sale of this fruit goes to the local Amazonian communities and also serves to prevent deforestation and preserve biodiversity in the threatened Amazon Rainforest.

Each purchase of [comfort zone] sun soul products benefits the Tangerine Project, a women's project for the collection and commercialization of argan oil, a key ingredient in all sun soul products. Argan oil is traditionally used by Moroccan Berber women as an ancient beauty secret because of its high quantities of essential fatty acids such as omega 3. Socio-economic changes and soil erosion in Morocco have put the argan forests at risk. [comfort zone] has partnered with the Tangerine Project to protect these forests. Each year ten argan trees are planted for each woman working in the project.

Phytomer - Marine-based Products:
Harvesting Methods - Phytomer has become one of the pioneers of macro-algae farming for cosmetic use. They only remove certain varieties of marine plants from the natural stock and only produce the necessary amounts. In addition, they cultivate threatened species that can later be reintroduced into their natural environment to help avoid extinction.

Processing & Manufacturing - Phytomer’s manufacturing plant is ECOCERT approved. ECOCERT is a French independent monitoring and certification organization created for the certification of organic and/or ecological skin care products.

Reclamation - Phytomer uses a natural filtering garden to purify waste water used in the cosmetic manufacturing process. This yields clean water which can be returned to the natural environment and ensures zero waste. This 100% efficient method uses regional wetland species of plants without the use of chemicals resulting in beautiful habitats in which birds and other animals can reside.

Packaging & Delivery Systems - All of Phytomer’s product packaging (boxes, tubes and jars) can be recycled either through material recycling or energy recovery.

Activism - In 2006 Phytomer made a commitment in Saint Malo, France to defend the marine heritage of the Emerald Coast, alongside the Attention Mer Fragile association. They donate €1 to the association for each Marine Breeze product sold. Phytomer USA also donates $1.00 to the US non-profit, MARS (Marine Animal Rescue Society) for every Marine Breeze product sold.

Red Mountain continues to work towards sustainable practices to protect our priceless environment.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Fire Grilled Achiote Pork Loin with Wilcox Peach Relish


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:
16 oz Pork Tenderloin, trimmed of all fat
6 T Achiote Orange Marinade (see recipe below)
4 C Diced Fresh Peaches
1 1/4 C Red Pepper, fine diced
6 T Red Onion, Minced
4 T Fresh Basil, chopped
4 T Raspberry Vinegar

Directions:
  • Marinate the pork in the achiote marinade for 3 hours.

  • Pre-heat saute pan; saute red onion, pepper, and peach for about 30 seconds.

  • Deglaze with raspberry vinegar.

  • Reduce until syrupy.

  • Toss with fresh basil.

  • Grill pork and top with the peach relish.

Achiote Orange Marinade Ingredients:
1 1/4 C Achiote Paste
1 1/4 C Orange Juice
5 fl oz Lime Juice, raw
3/4 C Olive Oil
1 C Cilantro, chopped

Marinade Directions:
Combine all ingredients.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Mini-Foot Reflexology for You to Do Yourself

@RedMountainSpa

Foot massage, or reflexology, is actually an ancient practice of manipulation and stimulation to restore health and balance to the entire body through reflex therapy applied to the feet. Below is a way you can enjoy this treatment at home.
  • Take off your shoes.

  • Rub the brain, stomach and solar plexus reflexology points on your feet.

  • The brain, your body's mental stress center, is at the point of the base of the ball of the big toe.

  • Relieve anxiety by rubbing the stomach, located at the arch of the foot.

  • Considered to be the "nerve switchboard of the body," press the solar plexus, located at the center of the base of the ball of the foot, for 20-30 seconds on each foot.

  • Repeat.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Sparkling Melon Gazpacho with Fruit Sorbet


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Serves 12

Ingredients:
1 Melon Cantaloupe, chopped
1 Melon Honeydew Melon, chopped
1/4 C Elderflower Presse Water (or Lemongrass Water)
1 T Fresh Mint, minced
1/2 C Fresh Pineapple, minced
1/2 C Fresh Strawberries, minced
12 oz. Fruit Sorbet
1 t Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Directions:
  • Chop melons into large chunks.

  • Place in blender with mint and sparkling water.

  • Puree until smooth.

  • Add minced fruit.

  • Top with sorbet.

  • Chill and serve.

Healthy Heart Exercise to Re-energize Your Day

@RedMountainSpa
Seated Run in Place: Simulate a run by rapidly tapping your feet in place. Repeat 1-3 sets for 30 seconds.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

10 Things You Can Do Today to Live Well

@RedMountainSpa

Too often we think "getting" healthy takes a lot of time and we have to wait until conditions are perfect to start making positive changes in our lives. The list below (from the International Spa Association) shows ten things we can do TODAY to start or continue our path to wellness.
  • Get eight hours of sleep

  • Eat and drink healthy - organic fruits and veggies and water

  • Exercise - Yoga, Tai Chi, Walking

  • Meditate/Breathe

  • Enjoy nature and beautiful things

  • Nurture your body with a spa visit - massage, facials, body wraps

  • Learn or teach someone else

  • Volunteer - give back to your community and your Earth

  • Avoid negativity - from yourself or from others

  • Love - yourself and others around you

Monday, March 15, 2010

Polygamy Porter Grilled Beef Sirloin with Roma Tomato, Basil & Shallot Salad


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

(Serves 4)

Ingredients:
Beef shoulder sirloin, trim off all fat.

Marinade Ingredients:
1/4 C Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 C Polygamy Porter Beer
2 T Olive Oil
1 Shallot, Chopped
1/4 C Fresh Sage
1/4 C Fresh Rosemary
1 t Kosher Salt
1 t Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Goat Cheese Ball Ingredients:
1 oz Goat Cheese
Pinch or two Cracked Black Pepper

Balsamic Reduction:
1/2 C Balsamic Vinegar

Salad Ingredients:
1/2 C Roma Tomato, cored & julienned
1/4 C Julienne Shallot (or Red Onion)
2 T Fresh Basil Chiffonade
1 T Balsamic Vinegar (or Balsamic Reduction)


Directions:
  • Combine all marinade ingredients in a non-reactive bowl, add beef and allow to marinate overnight.

  • Prior to cooking, prepare the cheese balls, balsamic reduction and salad.

  • For the cheese balls: Roll the goat cheese into four 1/4 oz. cheese balls. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper.

  • For the balsamic reduction: In a small, non-reactive heavy duty saucepan, reduce 1/2 C of balsamic vinegar over extremely low heat for about 90 minute, or until vinegar becomes thick and syrupy. Remove from heat and cool. Reserve for service.

  • For the salad: Mix all salad ingredients together just prior to
    serving.

  • For final assembly: Remove beef from the marinade and grill to desired doneness. Slice beef on the bias into 4 or 5 quarter inch thick slices. Arrange around mashed potatoes or other starchy root vegetable. Spoon salad over the top, drizzle with remaining balsamic reduction, and top with a goat cheese ball.

Healthy Skin & Anti-Aging


@RedMountainSpa

By Myrna Beardshear,
Director of Spa & Wellness

As the largest organ in the body, our skin can benefit from the same nutrition we get from foods that have a positive effect on our heart and other major organs. In fact, new research suggests that eating foods rich in protein and certain vitamins and minerals might provide valuable anti-aging effects.

Perhaps the simplest way to maintain a healthy, balanced diet and ensure the skin is getting optimal nutrition from the foods we eat is to follow the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Daily Food Guide, commonly referred to as the food pyramid.

These include:
  • Choosing and eating at least three ounces of whole grain breads, cereals, rice, crackers or pasta.

  • Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including more dark green and orange vegetables.

  • Consuming calcium-rich foods, such as fat-free or low-fat milk and other dairy products.

  • Opting for a variety of low-fat or lean meats, poultry and fish.

The most effective natural protector of the body against free radicals is nutrients called antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent free radical damage by completing the free radical with the missing electrons therefore neutralizing the free radical and making it harmless.

Some antioxidants are proteins made by the body, and many are delivered to us in the food we eat. The most important of these are vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc and some amino acids.

The antioxidants in vitamins C and E can protect the skin from sun damage and help reduce damage in skin cells caused by harmful free radicals, which contribute to aging skin. Scientists have known for a long time that the B vitamin biotin is responsible for forming the basis of skin, hair and nail cells and vitamin A—found in many fruits and vegetables — maintains and repairs skin tissue.

While they are readily available from our foods, our antioxidant defense systems are vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies and many health practitioners believe that supplements are needed to compensate.

As the skin is the largest organ and the organ furthest away from the blood circulation, not all nutrition and antioxidants reach the skin. This may in fact explain why the skin is our fastest aging organ. Thus, it becomes obvious to have the cleanest and highest quality of nutrients such as plant based antioxidants in your skin care products, to support your skin and to protect it from the negative effects of free radical exposure.

[comfort zone], used in Sagestone Spa at Red Mountain, has products such as their Chrono-Reverser Gel that deeply and effectively renew all skin types (even the most delicate) thanks to a synergy of new generation active ingredients reducing wrinkles, hyper pigmentation and acneic conditions for smoother younger, more luminous and vital skin. Containing exclusive formulations that include peptides, amino acid and powerful antioxidants, the range of products has exceptional, exclusive formulations younger men and women in need of lighter rejuvenation to combat acne and retrieve skin luminosity, sensitive skins types and more mature skins in need of more advanced exfoliation and renewal.

Your skin is your best friend. Feed it well and it will serve you with glowing beauty and health for a lifetime!

Sources:
Tufts University: Research on Antioxidants
USDA Research on Berries and Natural Antioxidants
Skin Inc

Sunday, March 14, 2010

What to Bring on Your Red Mountain Adventure

@RedMountainSpa
  • Casual and comfortable clothing

  • Outdoor clothing - Removable layers work best as mornings may be cool and warm quickly during a hike. Winter months are moderate, so layering of a jacket, fleece, non-cotton base, hat and gloves will be quite sufficient for even the coolest of mornings.

  • Workout apparel

  • Aerobic shoes with non-marking soles

  • Hiking boots or shoes - lightweight & well-vented with traction

  • Double layer socks or blister free socks for hiking

  • Pajamas

  • Swimsuit, swim goggles, pool shoes and cover-up

  • Padded bike shorts

  • Sunscreen and sun hat/visor

  • Sunglasses

  • We will provide you with two RM Sports water bottles on arrival, but suggest a hydration pack such as CamelBak for hiking.

  • Backpack or waist-pack for hands-free hiking; again, a hydration pack such as a CamelBak would be highly recommended.

  • Golf clubs - Rental is available at our local courses, should you choose not to transport your own.

  • Camera and film or digital camera

  • Don't worry all the essentials such as energy bars, toiletries, film and souvenirs are available at Red Mountain Resort & Spa Outfitters. You can even trade in your old hiking boots or athletic shoes for a discount on a new pair. Your old shoes will be donated to Soles4Souls!

  • Leave your valuables and jewelry at home

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Red Mountain's Green Statement

@RedMountainSpa

Red Mountain Resort & Spa is a member of the Green Spa Network, whose member spas are centers for healing, aesthetics and wellness, dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint. We are aware of the connection between environment and humanity and will continue to be a good influence both locally and globally.
  • Red Mountain Resort & Spa’s hiking program allows our guests to enjoy nature at its finest, and recognize the need to respect our earth. Our Hiking Guides educate our guests on “Leave No Trace Principles.”

  • To educate our guests about the ecologically friendly principles, we offer an evening presentation titled, “10 Steps to Sustainability,” knowing that the knowledge gained at Red Mountain will be carried onward to their lives at home.

  • An herb garden is available for use by our Canyon Breeze Culinary Team.

  • Xeriscaping to reduce water consumption is used throughout our landscaping and the majority of Red Mountain’s property remains natural desert. Low emitter irrigation is used in our landscaping in several areas to save water.

  • We conform to the City of Ivins lighting ordinances to protect the night skies by using low voltage lighting and dim lighting at night.

  • We encourage recycling by employees and guests throughout property of paper, cardboard and plastics.

  • Places throughout the property, such as the relaxation area at Sagestone Spa & Salon are dedicated to quiet for resting and relaxing. These quiet places are cell-phone free zones.

  • We consider sustainability practices of our spa product vendors when selecting products for Sagestone Spa & Salon. For example, we have chosen Davines hair care line, who since 2006 has contributed to reforestation of areas in Costa Rica and Italy. Phytomer, a skin care line, is manufactured in an ECOCERT approved manufacturing plant and reclaims and purifies waste water using a natural filtering garden.

  • Sagestone Spa & Salon has introduced a menu of treatments using indigenous items from Utah including honey, creosote, cactus blossoms and prickly pear cactus.

  • Sagestone Spa & Salon has ceased the application of acrylics for manicures and pedicures to improve air quality.

  • Guests may voluntarily participate in water reduction by selecting reduced housekeeping services such as re-using their towels.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Chicken Caesar Pita Pizza


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Pizza Ingredients:
One 6" Wheat Pita Pocket
4 T Parmesan Cheese, shredded
1 C Romaine Lettuce, Cut
1 T Eggless Spa Caesar Dressing (see recipe below)
¼ C Grilled Chicken Breast, julienned

Dressing Ingredients:
1 ½ T Garlic, minced
4 ½ T Lemon Juice
3 fillets Anchovies
2 ½ T Dijon Mustard
14 oz Soft Tofu
1 T Parmesan Cheese
2 t Worcestershire Sauce

Pizza Directions:
  • Pre-heat oven to 425°.

  • Split pita pocket in half crosswise; spread parmesan across each half equally.

  • Bake pita for 7 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly; remove from oven.

  • In chilled mixing bowl, combine chicken, romaine and dressing and mix well.

  • Cut each pita crust into 4 pieces, top with chicken Caesar and serve.

Dressing Directions:
  • Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor and purée.

  • Adjust flavors as needed.

  • Toss with crisp romaine leaves and freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Spirituality at Red Mountain Resort & Spa


@RedMountainSpa
By Shaman Spirit Betina Lindsey

The spiritual journey is the one trip we are all taking together. Spirituality is the slow motion dance of a life in balance. Through spirituality we cultivate wisdom, balance, regeneration and healing.

Religions offer us tried and true philosophies for understanding existence while spirituality is the ability to feel connection to all manifestations of the holy in the world around us. Spirituality is not an activity so much as a refined energy, a gift of the Universe to all beings. The ancient way-showers left clues in rock art symbolizing the road of life, birth, death and rebirth that each soul walks. As we walk the labyrinth of life ours is a journey of emergence - an emergence into spirit and in emergence all suffering is transformed into peace.

Author Terry Tempest Williams asks "How do we find peace in a broken world?" My answer would be to "find spiritual sanctuary." From ancient times the esthetics retreated into caves or wandered in the wilderness. Today many are called to the winding trails and cloistered pools of our national parks and canyons because nature is more than nature. Anyone willing to stop and feel nature’s simple quiet might discover it is a place where heaven and earth merge. The monk and mystic in each of us know there is refuge and holiness in nature. It is a simple presence, free of tradition, where new pathways can open into spirit. Humans need a place of peace where the roots of what is sacred can take hold in the soul. There are many teachers of the spiritual path but still this path is not so easily documented or defined. Each of us must find it for ourselves. Finding spiritual sanctuary gives you time to align yourself and your intentions.

You might ask to know what is unfinished for me to learn, to experience, to heal and to create? In spiritual sanctuary see all life as "tho"...the trees, the stones, the water...everything. You will feel a change. The ego that sees a "thou" is not the same ego that sees an "it"...A lightning struck tree is holy...land scorched by fire is holy. You too are holy. Your own life wounds make you so. Spirituality is an attribute of existence. Just watch the hawk flying on the wind in a slow motion dance of a life in balance.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

What Does the Chef Cook on His Day Off?


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

By Dale Van Sky,
Executive Chef

Although I do not have as much opportunity to cook at home as I would like to, one of my most favorite dinners (and most frequently requested by my wife) is Beef Stroganoff on Basmati Rice. There are many recipes for this classic dish and I will share mine with you.

Beef Stroganoff on Basmati Rice

Servings: 4

Ingredients:
4 Tbsp Smart Balance butter substitute (could use butter or margarine)
1 Pound Beef Sirloin (trimmed of all outer fat and sliced 1” long, 1/4” thick by 1/2” thin strips)
1/4 Cup Yellow Onions (diced 1/4”)
1/2 Cup Mushrooms (sliced 1/4”)
4 Tbsp Whole Wheat Flour (for nutritional benefits and color)
1/4 Cup Liquid Aminos (could use 2 -3 beef bouillon cubes)
1/4 Cup Red Wine (preferably one you would have with the meal)
1-1/4 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:
  • Melt Smart Balance on high heat in large sauté pan until it starts to smoke.

  • Add Beef Sirloin Strips and sauté until browned.

  • Add diced Onions and sliced Mushrooms. Cook until the Onions stat to turn clear.

  • Stir in Whole Wheat Flour and reduce heat to low. Cook 5 minutes stirring occasionally.

  • Stir in Red Wine, Water and Liquid Aminos. Turn heat up and bring to a boil (it will be very thick, the Sour Cream will thin it).

  • Turn heat off and blend in Sour Cream.

  • Add Salt and Pepper to taste.

Basmati Rice

Note: Use two parts Water to one part Rice.

Ingredients:
1 Cup Basmati White Rice
2 Cups Water

Directions:
  • Bring Water to a boil in a 1 qt. sauce pan.

  • Stir in Basmati Rice.

  • Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes (all water should be absorbed).

Serving:
  • Place 1/2 cup Basmati Rice in center of plate.

  • Top with 1 cup Beef Stroganoff.

  • Place 1 Tbsp. of Sour Cream on top and enjoy.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Breakfast Burritos


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients for Breakfast Burritos:
12 oz Egg Substitute or Egg Whites
8 t Roma Tomato, diced
4 t Cotija Cheese*
2 t Cilantro, stemmed, washed and chopped
1 T Olive Oil, as needed to coat cooking surface
2 Wraps Ezekiel Sprouted Wheat or other Flavor Tortilla Wraps, 12" diameter

Directions for Breakfast Burritos:
  • Using a minimal amount of olive oil, preheat non-stick pan over medium heat.

  • Gradually add the egg beaters and/or egg whites a little at a time (enough to just cover the cooking surface); soft scramble, then add more egg until all is soft scrambled.

  • Stir in the roma tomatoes and cilantro.

  • Remove from heat and add cotija cheese.

  • Lightly pre-heat wraps on stove burner or grill; spoon in ¼ of the scrambled egg mixture per wrap; roll up burrito style, tucking in the ends.

  • Cut in half on the bias and serve with salsa fresca.

Healthy Heart Exercise to Re-energize Your Day

@RedMountainSpa
Toe Raises: While seated or standing. Lift your toes while keeping your heels firmly on the ground. Repeat 1-3 sets for 30 seconds.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Meet General Manager Tracey Welsh


@RedMountainSpa

Hometown: Dubuque, Iowa

Current town: Santa Clara, Utah

Age: 48

Birthday: August 2 - Yes, I am a Leo

Favorite color: Red

Favorite sport to watch: It's a toss up between baseball and swimming. Baseball is a necessity to share with my husband, and I'm one of the few people who loves to watch distance swimming.

Favorite fitness activity: Swimming tied with hiking. I also enjoy stretch and dance classes.

How long at Red Mountain: 9 years

Favorite spa treatment: Desert Rain Massage

Favorite fitness class offered at RM: Stretch class - I also love any water fitness class.

Family info? Married? Kids? Pets? Married to Tim over 25 years with one daughter, Reagan, and two four-legged kids, Joey and Dali.

Favorite thing about working at RM: Two days are never the same, and the scenery is outstanding. I have the privilege of working with a diverse group of experts, and it's wonderful to mix hospitality with wellness and impact a guest life in a powerful way. Each day, I learn something to improve my own health and I realize how fortunate I am to be here.

If you weren’t in Southern Utah, where would you live? I have dreams of a rolling mid-western farm someday where my border collies will herd sheep…but I'll have to leave when it snows. Southern Utah is truly home now.

Favorite vacation spot: I have great memories of Sanibel, Florida. It was a really stressful time in my life, and I got to spend a few days on my own before my family joined me. The solitude and reflection was very self healing, and then I was ready to enjoy my family. We spent hours walking the beach and playing in the ocean. I also love Zion National Park as it brings out the "earth scientist wanna be" in me. Finally, I enjoy visiting my hometown. I lived each summer on the Mississippi River as I grew up, and there are great memories when I go back during boating season.

Best RM memory: My first hike in Snow Canyon. Absolutely life changing. I don't think that I stopped talking the whole time because I was simply amazed at the beauty and the sunshine.

Favorite food: My absolute favorite meal comfort food is tomato soup and grilled cheese. My "feel good" food is chicken because I feel best when I eat protein and avoid white flour and sugar. I also love cheese...any kind...must be my Swiss cheesemaker ancestry.

Favorite indulgence: I love bath time with a book, or cuddling under a blanket in the sun when it's a bit brisk outside. I also find crocheting very comforting....seems pretty old fashioned, but I like to think I'm being creative and producing something at the same time. My nieces and nephews get hats and scarves each year, and I send hats and scarves to the local homeless shelter.

Where did you go to college? Loras College, Iowa

When you aren’t at work, what do you do for fun? Tim and I now RV and try to spend as much time in the National Parks as we can. Dali and Joey are great travelers and keep us walking and active so we are always looking for pet friendly spots to go. I also enjoy golf, and I find shopping with my daughter a great hobby.

Is there one thing at RM that you haven’t done that you want to? I would love to do the Eat Well, Feel Well School of Cuisine. I truly need Chef Dale to teach me how to cook.

Favorite book or movie that is related to health, wellness or fitness: I love the movie "Warm Springs" about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his quest for healing after being struck with polio. The movie is about his trip to a run down health facility in Georgia to take in the healing mineral waters. However, it's not simply the waters, but the team of people who are dedicated to the guests that help with the healing.

Favorite quote: I have many…anything by Abraham Lincoln. Here's one: “And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” And from Mahatma Ganhdi, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Monday, March 8, 2010

Napolito Cactus, Jicama & Orange Salad


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. Napolito Cactus
1 C Jicama
3 oz. Orange
1 1/2 t Toasted Cumin Seed
1 t Rice Wine Vinegar
1 t Fresh Cilantro
1/2 t Dark Chili Powder
pinch Salt

Directions:
  • Mix the cactus, jicama, orange, cumin seeds and cilantro.

  • Separately mix the vinegar, chili powder and salt.

  • Combine the cactus mixture with the vinegar mixture.

March Recipe of the Month: Apple Walnut Bread Pudding


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
1/4 tsp Vanilla Beans, split
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 cup Milk
Pinch Salt
Pinch Pepper
2 Eggs
1/4 lb Whole Wheat Bread, cubed
1/2 Apple, peeled, sliced
1/4 oz Walnuts, chopped
1/4 tsp Apple Pie Spice
3/4 cup Caramel Sauce (see recipe below)
Pinch Cinnamon

Directions:
  • Warm milk with vanilla bean and brown sugar to dissolve the sugar.

  • Beat eggs with salt and pepper.

  • Add bread, apples and apple pie spice to egg and milk mixture.

  • Pour into a baking pan and bake (preferably in a water bath) for 30 minutes at 325 degrees.

  • Serve with Caramel Sauce (see recipe).

  • Dust each serving with cinnamon.

Caramel Sauce Ingredients:
3 fl. oz. Water
3 fl. oz. Sugar
3 tbsp Corn Syrup
1/4 cup Cream
2 tbsp Butter

Directions:
  • Combine water, sugar and corn syrup. Cook to a light caramel.

  • Cautiously add cream, stirring to blend.

  • Stir in butter.

  • Cool.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

What is Emotional Fitness and How Could a Consultation or Retreat Help Me?


@RedMountainSpa
By Andrea Becky Hanson, CEHP, ACEP Certified Energy Health Practitioner

Emotional Fitness is the state of being that allows you to be intimately connected and involved in all aspects of your life and maintain your sense of inner peace, strength and balance.

Sound impossible? I think all will agree that in these amazing and intense times, we need amazing, quick and effective ways to deal with the immense pressure of the energy, information and choices we must deal with on a daily basis. Whether you just have vague feelings of discontent and dissatisfaction or are overcome and overwhelmed by negative emotions and thoughts, you can benefit from the Emotional Fitness Energy Therapy Technique. Often times, this technique works when many other attempts at health and wellness have failed.

As a certified energy therapist, I skillfully and compassionately provide private consultations and retreats that allow you to experience the integrated combination of the contemporary Energy Therapy and the ancient practices of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. I believe this combination is the answer to optimum health and wellness.

An Energy Therapy session will help you learn and understand why repeated attempts to resolve problems have failed in the past. You will also receive the rich learning and understanding you need to finally be free of negative emotions and thoughts. You can delete the concepts of struggling and suffering from your vocabulary and from you life with the experience and application of the Emotional Fitness Technique.

To learn more about this subject, visit my Merging Rivers website or join us for an Emotional Fitness Retreat at Red Mountain Resort & Spa.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Sweet Feet: At Home Treatment

@RedMountainSpa
By Trisha Maynard
Salon & Retail Supervisor

Our feet need as much love as the rest of our body. Many times we forget that we also need to pamper them especially when we've had a hard day at work.

To nurture your feet, combine an even amount of honey and sugar. Apply the mixture to your feet and soak them in warm water.

The scrub is helpful to alleviate callus formation and also acts as a powerful antibacterial agent. Results will be smooth, healthy and clean sweet feet.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Fire Grilled Vegetable Risotto with Quinoa


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
1 C Yellow Onion, diced medium
2 t Chopped Garlic
1 T Olive Oil
10 oz Arborio Rice
1/2 C Chardonnay
3 C Vegetable Stock, Hot
4 T Parmesan Cheese
1 C Grilled Vegetables (see recipe below)
3 T Shitake and Oyster Mushrooms, julienned
1 C Baby Spinach
10 T Red Bell Pepper, diced
10 T Edamame Beans
5 oz Cooked Quinoa (black and red are best for appearance)
2 1/2 t White Truffle Oil

Directions:
  • Saute onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent.

  • Add the dry rice and continue to saute until the rice is lightly browned.

  • Deglaze the pan with Chardonnay and continue cooking until the liquid is evaporated.

  • Add the heated vegetable stock, a little at a time, stirring often, until the rice is cooked.

  • Stir in the parmesan cheese.

  • Add in the remaining vegetables and cooked quinoa. Stir until they are fully incorporated.

  • Season to taste.

  • Serve hot with a small drizzle of white truffle oil.

Grilled Vegetables and Marinade

Ingredients for Vegetables:
5 medium Zucchini, cut lengthwise, 1/2" thick
5 medium Yellow Squash, cut lengthwise, 1/2" thick
3 Roma Tomatoes, halved lengthwise
7 oz. Marinade for grilled vegetables (see recipe)
1/2 C Garlic Cloves, roasted
1/4 C Lemon Peel
1/2 C Shallots, roasted

Ingredients for Grilled Vegetable Marinade:
3/4 C Olive Oil
1 T Basil, dried
1 T Oregano, dried
1/2 T Thyme, fresh
1/2 T Fresh Rosemary, chopped
1 t Kosher Salt
1/2 t Black Pepper
1 1/2 T Garlic, chopped

Directions for Vegetables:
  • Cut the zucchini, yellow squash, and roma tomatoes.

  • Add to the marinade, mixing to coat thoroughly.

  • Roast the garlic and shallots, cool, then chop coarsely.

  • Grill the squash and tomatoes on a broiler, cool on a sheet pan, then cut on a bias
  • Combine with the garlic and shallots.

Directions for the Marinade:
  • Combine all ingredients.

New Spring Gear

@RedMountainSpa
By Robert Bolding,
Outfitters Manager

Spring is has arrived and that means fresh new products. Here are a few notables.

Camelbak® the industry leader in hydration has, in addition to updating almost their entire pack line, come up with a cool new gadget. It’s called the Flow Meter™. Consider it a fuel gauge for your hydration pack. It attaches to the hose and will give you feed back on water usage. It is also programmable to your personal hydration goals. It is available as a stand-alone accessory or can be purchased with a reservoir.

Merrell® has introduced a great new hiking shoe to their Outventure line up. It’s called the Col. This shoe features a Grade 2 nylon insole for trail hiking, molded nylon arch shank, and Vibram® Col Outsole with TC5 Sticky Rubber Compound. It also has energy-absorbing TrailBound™ Technology midsole to cushion the ride. All of this, combined with full grain leather upper and bellows tongue to keep debris out, makes this one of my favorite hikers for 2010. Available in men’s and women’s sizing (men’s color shown).

Long live Rock N Rolla, Vasque’s new TPU plate system available in the new Transistor FS. The Rock N Rolla provides for a flexible forefoot motion for increased agility and firm torsion control for stability. It also offers protection from stones under foot. The Transistor FS combines cushion and stability in a light weight trail shoe. Available in both men’s and women’s sizing (men’s color shown).

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Release & Renew


@RedMountainspa
By Life Coach Cindy Clemens

We can get so busy working in our lives that is becomes difficult to set aside some time to work on our lives. The release and renew ritual is a great way to enjoy taking a strategic view of your life and to help you stay on course.

The process is quite simple – once a quarter schedule an hour to go to your favorite spot and jot down a few ideas in a notebook or journal.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself and areas to explore:

Start by identifying and releasing the mistakes along with the fears and worries that have held you back. Record any mistakes you made, admit that you are human and find the lesson to be learned from the situation. As John Kennedy wisely observed, “mistakes are only failures if we fail to learn from them.” Sometimes the best learning opportunities come from mistakes.

As for the fears and worries that cropped up over the past three months, take away their power by affirming your truth – that you are smart, talented and capable. Write down five successes you had over the past three months and remind yourself that you really are good at solving challenges and gathering resources. Spend a few minutes recalling and recording the help and guidance that came your way over the past few months and affirm that it will continue as you move forward.

Speaking of what you want in your life, give some thought to your plan for the next three months and where you will spend your time and energy. Create a list of no more that five items you will put your focus onto over the next quarter. This is your YES List, and it helps to print it out, post it on your computer, bulletin board or bathroom mirror. Making it visible will remind you to use it when making decisions about how to spend your time and energy.

During the next quarter, notice when you feel drawn to review your previous journal entries, record something that has manifested around your YES List or celebrate a victory over the nagging fears and worries. Spring is an especially powerful time of the year for this process since there is so much new energy bursting out of the earth. Take advantage of the natural urge to release the old layer and renew the new path unfolding in your life.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Peach Almond Crisp


@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
5 C Organic frozen peaches, thawed
3/4 C Agave Syrup
3 T Ground Tapioca
1 t Cinnamon
5 oz Crumbs from toasted gluten-free almond rice bread


Directions:
  • Mix thawed fruit, agave syrup, ground tapioca and cinnamon.

  • Place ingredients in an 8" baking pan.

  • Bake until thick and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

  • Remove from the oven.

  • Combine the toasted crumbs with the crushed almonds and spread over the hot fruit.

  • Place the pan back in the oven and bake until the topping is lightly browned (approx. 10 min.).

Tip: This recipe can be prepared using 5 C of other fruit. If using berries, gently fold in with the other ingredients.

Healthy Heart Exercise to Re-energize Your Day

@RedMountainspa
Upper Back squeezes: Slide to the front edge of your chair. Bend forward resting your chest on your lap, let your straight arms hang towards the floor with the water bottles in your hands. Bend your elbows to bring the water bottles towards your arm pits, and squeeze your shoulders blades together. Slowly lower the water bottles towards the floor. 8-12 repetitions

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

March Events at Red Mountain Resort & Spa

@RedMountainSpa

March is a busy month at Red Mountain. We hope you can join the fun.

March 6 Climb to Conquer Cancer
The Second Annual Climb to Conquer Cancer will start at Red Mountain at 9 am on Saturday, March 6. Walkers will enjoy a slight incline into scenic Snow Canyon State Park. This American Cancer Society event will raise funds to increase awareness of cancer education and for research. Please consider joining us for the day or donating to this worthwhile cause.

March 7-12 Eat Well, Feel Well Culinary School
Experience this renowned program on living and eating for a healthy life. Come listen and learn from experts in their top fields of cooking and exercise. Meet other people like you, interested in these exciting lessons on eating well - and wellness.

March 7-14 & 21-28 Detoxification & Renewal
Our team has created a Detoxification & Renewal program that improves mind, body and spirit, and provides you with the knowledge, products and support for a complete 28 day detoxification program.

March 14-21 & March 28-April 4 Weight Loss & More!
Sustainable weight loss is achievable when you have the right tools and know how to make good choices. At Red Mountain, with our Weight Loss & More! Package, we know there isn't a one size fits all solution. Instead we focus on you as an individual - mind, body and spirit.

March 19-22 Release & Renew
The weekend package is a great way to get away for a long weekend to reconnect with your body, mind and spirit. You will meet with Life Coach Cindy Clemens each day for a fun and insightful group activity that will help you reconnect with what is really important in your life and how to eliminate the energy drains and distractions getting in your way.

March 19-22 Finding Your Life Purpose with Clairvoyant Todd Hershey
Todd is a professional speaker who performs seminars on individual development as well as other forms of metaphysical growth. He is an expert in the art of directing energy and has traveled throughout the United States conducting presentations on creating balance, increasing energy and the ability to create change.

March 21-26 Life Compass Retreat: Find Your Direction
If you are finding that your life is directionally challenged, Life Coach Cindy Clemens, author of "Life Is a Do-Over", has developed the Life Compass workshop especially for YOU!

March 21-28 Fitness Boot Camp
Attention: We're taking roll call at Jumpstart Fitness Boot Camp where Red Mountain's drill sergeants (AKA fitness instructors) will lead you through your paces. The mission is to find fitness activities that you'll love so much you stick with your commitment for improved health.

How to Re-energize Your Diet


@RedMountainspa
By Reema Sayegh, Ph.D.

The holidays are over and Spring is fast upon us. The brief lull between these high-energy periods is now over, and we face longer days, warmer temperatures and the need to rev up our personal energy engines in order to keep up with increased demands.

Good news! There are simple ways to feel more energized without harsh stimulants, and everyone can gain easy access to them just by making informed food choices.

Super foods are aptly named as they are common foods that deliver hefty amounts of nutrients without hefty amounts of calories and fat. Therefore, our bodies can utilize all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytochemicals (think: antioxidants) these foods provide without having to be overtaxed with extra exercise or deprived of vital calories to meet increased energy demands.

Examples of super food fruits include all members of the berry family, especially blueberries and bilberries. Another berry in the news now is the acai berry (which not only contains anthocyanins, but essential fatty acids as well, for an even bigger boost).

Super food veggies include cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli, which also contains a compound that helps to eradicate xenobiotic (potentially toxic environmental) estrogen from the system. Dark, green leafy veggies also pack a wallop, especially spinach, kale and collard greens.

Super food protein sources include wild-caught salmon (loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids), cultured yogurt (teeming with digestion-boosting probiotics) and sprouted greens (full of enzymes and amino acids).

Nuts and seeds round out the list of re-energizing super foods. Rich in minerals, good fats, fiber and protein, these small diet must-haves carry big flavor and impart rich texture to salads, cereals, pastas and as stand-alone snacks for folks on the go.

If we make it a point to think “super foods” every day, we can be well on our way to re-energizing our diets, and, therefore, revitalizing our lives. Bon appétit!

Monday, March 1, 2010

March is Jumpstart Fitness Month


@RedMountainSpa
By General Manager Tracey Welsh


Well, for some of us the New Year’s Resolutions have worn thin. In most parts of the United States folks are really tired of rain and snow, and more rain and snow, and they’re finding it harder to be convinced that it’s best to get out and exercise. Yet, we know that Spring is truly on the way, and we want to be able to enjoy every bit of the splendor.

With the warmth of our sunny skies, March is the time to Jumpstart at Red Mountain. Whether your style of fitness is a morning red rock hike, an afternoon bike ride, or refilling your energy tank, a short getaway will send you home invigorated and ready to do more.

If a longer visit works for you, I suggest you take a look at our Fitness Boot Camp with Fitness Manager Kim Watters and her team of “drill sergeants.” This is an 8-day/7-night package designed to give you a jumpstart on your fitness program, whether you are a beginner, or have just fallen off the treadmill. It’s a comprehensive approach including personal training, metabolic testing, motivation sessions and take home tools so that you can continue your fitness program on your own. I guarantee you’ll find Kim and her team to be the most accommodating fitness army you’ll find. Plus, we’ll reward your hard work with renewing spa treatments and tasty food choices - three healthy and delicious meals a day.

Speaking of food, March is National Nutrition Month, a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored by the American Dietetic Association. The focus is to make informed food choices along with developing sound eating and physical activity habits. We’d love to help you here at Red Mountain, however if you can’t schedule a getaway, think about scheduling an appointment with a Registered Dietician to review your eating habits, whether you’d like to drop a few pounds, or make sure your current diet is helping you prevent future disease.

Best of Health,
Tracey