Dr. Brad's M.E.E.T. the Mustangs Experience

By Dr. Brad Crump, Health Services Manager

In my nearly twelve years at Red Mountain, I have participated in many activities and programs. I have learned something new and important from all of them. Recently, I had the opportunity to be part of the M.E.E.T. the Mustangs program. Being an animal lover, I was so excited to be close to such an amazing animal. It certainly did not disappoint.

I was not really sure what to expect. Once we arrived at the ranch, you could immediately sense the uniqueness of the horses. We all could feel that we were being watched and investigated. The facilitators did a wonderful job of educating us as to the history of the mustangs as well as the importance of their survival. It really gave me a greater appreciation of their value to all of us.

What was most inspiring to me was the group dynamic and the social order amongst the mustangs. We were taught about the hierarchy and social order of the horses, which then became very obvious as we watched the body language and key movements of the leader and those that ranked below her. I left with a better understanding about the importance of communication - verbal and non-verbal - and how powerful and influential proper communication is.

We were able to approach and touch the horses as we learned to pick up on their signals. It taught me to appreciate each horse’s uniqueness and personality. Some were approachable and others were not ready for that closeness. It was in those moments that I learned that I had to be patient and find a different way to gain their trust. It was a real learning process. This certainly made me better understand relationships that we all have.

The best part of the experience was the “Heart Hug.” This is where you literally place your chest against the horse’s chest. There was most definitely a bond that was formed. To be that close to such a powerful, but yet loving, animal was amazing. Certainly it was an experience that I will never forget. We were all taught that day (I mean us humans).

Go meet the mustangs. It is a must see and is only available until the end of April and then again starting in October. (The mustangs spend the summer in the milder climate of northern Utah.) For more information visit our M.E.E.T. the Mustangs page.

Challenging Fear with Trust & Self Referral

By Andrea Hanson, CEHP, Energy Therapist
Trained & Certified by Deepak Chopra

The best advise I ever was given about being afraid to do what I desired was "do it anyway." Of course, this applies to the self-doubt kind of fear and not the justified bodily harm type of fear.

Think back on your greatest victories in you life and see if you can remember the moment you were afraid and went ahead anyway. It is just an instant...sometimes called a choice point...once you take that first step challenging the fear, it is left behind.

It is nearly impossible to accomplish this action if you are not supporting yourself with clear and conscious intention. Bring your intentions to the forefront by asking yourSelf why you have the desires you have and what image you have of yourself in your desired future. This conscious self-referral is necessary or many of your unconscious intentions will be fulfilled and you will feel that you are a victim or that life just happens to you. There is no joy in this because you are not in your personal power unless you are clearly aware of your intentions.

Intention is the Divine force of manifestation. Take the time to write down five conscious intentions you have for 2011. Remember the great saying "Be careful of what you ask for." 2011 is the year of rapid and supported fulfillment.

True conscious intention begins and ends with you. Self-referral...having an intimate relationship with yourSelf is your truth. How you relate to others depends on their truth. Relate to what you wish to manifest only.

There is no time or place for codependency, addiction, or negativity in this time of awesome expansive, joyous and supportive energy.

It's all for you.

Meditate, Create, Radiate.

Accept your greatness and give back to Life.

An Apple a Day At Home Spa

By Myrna Beardshear
@RedMountainSpa
Director of Spa & Wellness

Clarifying Exfoliator
Apply 1/2 cup of chilled organic apple juice to your face and neck. Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Use weekly for a normal skin and twice weekly for oily skin.

Apply Facial Cleanser
Stir together 1 tablespoon peeled, grated apple with 2 tablespoons clover honey, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons plain organic yogurt, 1/2teaspoon wheat germ oil and 1 tablespoon potato flour. Apply to skin and work in gently. Rinse with tepid water.

Harvest Mask
Blend one egg white, 3 teaspoons lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons almond oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons sunflower oil, 3 tablespoons peeled, finely chopped apply. Apply to the face and neck and allow the mixture to penetrate for 15 minutes. Rinse with tepid water.

Find Inspiration

By Tracey Welsh
@RedMountainSpa
General Manager

There are those lucky few, who know their passion from the day they are born. It seems to be almost hard-wired; they are drawn to greatness throughout their life. However, I believe that most of us meander through life searching for something to light the fire within us, to lead us to our successes and happiness in life. Many find that gift, while at Red Mountain Resort & Spa.

Red Mountain’s hiking program ignites such inspiration for many people as they embark on their days adventures. The connection to the earth, and the power of the towering red rocks, leaves a person who has lived their life surrounded by skyscrapers mesmerized. Taking the challenge to hike up a steep hill and climb over or a rock formation allows one to realize the capabilities of a healthy body. Suddenly a person is inspired to be healthier and seek new adventures. Rewarding the body afterward, with healthy cuisine, reminds us of how important it is to give the body the nourishment it deserves. Taking time out to relax overlooking the red rock cliffs outside Sagestone Spa and Salon gives one the time to collect their thoughts, and be inspired to even more greatness the next day.

Red Mountain hopes that you are inspired to find better health, happiness and many adventures each day of your life.

Creating a Healthy, Happy Heart

@RedMountainSpa
By Kim Watters
Fitness Manager

If you are stressed out and don’t see any changes in your near future you should know there is a firm correlation between stress and cardiovascular disease. Sadly heart disease is estimated to be the largest cause of death and disability worldwide. If this information makes you want to help your heart, reduce your stress and lower your risk of heart disease, great; it is the perfect time of year to start fresh. However, if the thought of heart pounding aerobic exercises stresses you out even more, relax...literally. Meditation lowers stress.

Meditation helps people manage stress and teaches how to disconnect from your stress issues; this brings a calming effect to your mind and body, bringing down cortisol levels. (Cortisol is a stress hormone that causes increased stickiness and platelet formation in the blood stream, which also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.)

To create a healthy happy heart, meditating for 15 to 20 minutes a day, every day is recommended. Keep in mind your expectations and your actual experience may vary greatly.

According to Ian Philip White, ERYT500, Meditation Instructor at Red Mountain Resort & Spa, “When we first begin meditating we may find it really hard to focus. Our body aches, our mind wanders, noise and light distract us. Our minds may think of everything from the past, and create lists. Then we think of everything in the future and create more lists. So, this can be the first phase of meditation. Just as you begin to focus, relax or become aware your mind may kick in and kick you out of that peaceful place. That is OK. If your mind is used to spinning around and has been operating that way for 20, 30, 40, 50 or more years then it is unreasonable for you to expect that it will quit spinning the first time you sit down to meditate! Be Open, no expectations, no projections, only limitless possibilities.”

There are several different methods of meditation, and many educational tools to help you learn more about meditating, but to get you started right away don’t worry about following any specific protocol. Meditating does not have to be elaborate. It can be as effortless as sitting in a quiet spot, and like Julie Andrews sings in "The Sound of Music," “Simply remember a few of your favorite things.”

It doesn’t matter how or where you get started it only matters that you start. So, if "raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens" take you to a happy relaxing place, congratulations. You have already begun creating your healthy, happy heart!

References:
meditation-techniques-for-happiness.com

At Home Foot Reflexology

@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.

How to Choose the Right Massage for You!

@RedMountainSpa
By Larry Ricketts, Lead Therapist

Choosing a massage for yourself is as personal as choosing your career, a car or your clothes each day. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your massage.

First, understand your own personality. Are you a person that is comfortable communicating exactly what you want in a massage? Or, would you prefer to rely on the expertise of your therapist, who can feel what your body needs and go with it? Do you like it when a massage therapist targets your sore areas or tension knots? Or do you prefer long broad strokes that create ultimate relaxation and circulation? Would you like to just have your back, upper body or lower body worked on? Each is an important question to consider before selecting your massage.

Talking to your therapist before any massage is crucial for your treatment. Know what it is you’re expecting and pass that on to your therapist. A qualified therapist will be able to adjust to meet your needs. Throughout the years, I find when I ask my clients “It’s your time now. What is it that you want?” it helps me customize the massage experience, and my clients feel more comfortable going into their treatment. Knowing that you have explained what you want will help you to be more relaxed and you will fully enjoy your treatment.

There are so many different kinds of massages or modalities that you really can find the one that best suits your needs. Looking over the menu of the spa you may be visiting is vital. I find that many guests that I work on here at Red Mountain Resort & Spa don’t even know what treatment they are signed up for or what benefits to expect. That’s a great way to experiment and find new things, but if you know that you can only squeeze in a few treatments while at a spa then you will want to look more closely to the descriptions, so you can find what you will enjoy the most. Treatment descriptions on a spa menu will tell you if the treatment is therapeutic, relaxing, rejuvenating, etc, and many treatments are designed to target specific needs. Take the time to look them over and mark the ones that best meet your needs before setting your appointments. If you are still having a difficult time deciding, take the time to talk to a Spa Coordinator. They have been trained to understand the benefits of each treatment, and can help you find one to meet your needs.

If it is your first time having body work and still a little nervous about it. You may want to have a treatment done that allows you to keep your clothes on like Chair massage, Reflexology or Thai Yoga massage. This way you can ask questions and allow yourself to feel the difference in your body to understand the benefits of massage.

If all else fails read over your options and see what sounds best to you. Spas offer a selection of many massages and treatments that will benefit you in a variety of ways, so you are more than likely not going be disappointed. However, the more information you gather about the massages and the more you know about yourself the better your experience will be. Always remember that once you are in the treatment room take some deep breathes and relax. Trust that you are getting exactly what you need at that time in your life and enjoy.

May every experience you have with body work exceed your expectations.

Note: We thought this would be a fun photo to show that Red Mountain is a pet-friendly facility. Stay tuned for news on our new pet services menu coming soon.

Weight Loss Tips

@RedMountainSpa
Relax – you can’t force your body to lose fat. By being stressed over weight loss – you make it harder to lose the fat. The negative stress causes an increase in adrenaline hormones, such as cortisol.

Take a loving, kind approach to a fitness plan. Focus on following a healthy plan that includes the right amount of food and exercise from day to day. The weight loss will just happen if you are faithfully following your plan.

Should I Go Gluten-Free if I'm Not Gluten Intolerant?

By Dr. Reema Sayegh, Nutritionist

Going gluten-free has never been more popular. However, it should be known that most commercial gluten-free products are still loaded with refined carbohydrates. In short, it is a tradeoff of one processed flour for another. Certainly, those intolerant of or allergic to gluten should adopt a gluten-free lifestyle, but for those with no issues, eschewing gluten does not guarantee better health from a nutritive standpoint. It might be wise to instead explore sprouted grain products, or whole grain products, which can also be gluten free, to offer superior nutrition.

Exercise to Re-Energize Your Day

@RedMountainspa
Water bottle weights: Use full water bottles as weights to increase the difficulty of your work out. You can do bicep curls, side raises, and upper back squeezes with water bottles.

Herbed Apple Cider Vinaigrette

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 C Vegetable Stock
1/2 C Apple Cider Vinegar
1 t Dijon Mustard
1 T Chopped Fresh Herbs (Basil, Oregano, etc.)
To taste Agave Nectar

Directions:

• Combine 2 teaspoons arrowroot with approximately 1 teaspoon cold water.


• Bring vegetable stock to a boil and thicken with approximately 1 tablespoon arrowroot slurry- stock should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Allow to cool.


• Combine all ingredients in a blender.

New Mexico Green Chile Posole

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Serves 8

Ingredients:
1/3 large Onions, diced
1/2 stalk Celery, diced
2 1/2 t Garlic, chopped
1 1/4 t Olive Oil
1/2 lb Pork Loin, lean, boneless
3 1/2 oz. Hominy
1/2 cup Canned Green Chiles, diced
3 oz. Tomatillos, whole
2 t Cumin
2 t Chile Powder
Pinch Salt
Pinch Black Pepper
2 3/4 cup Chicken Stock, skimmed of all fat
2 T Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Directions:

• Sauté diced onions, celery, and garlic in oil until tender.


• Add diced pork and continue cooking until meat has browned.


• Add hominy, green chilies, tomatillos, cumin, chile powder, salt, pepper and chicken stock and simmer 1 hour.


• Mix in the cilantro and serve.

Red Mountain's Gratuity Policy

@Redmountainspa

In lieu of a mandatory service charge or resort amenity fee often found at inclusive resorts, gratuities are at the discretion of our guests at Red Mountain, and are greatly appreciated by our team members who strive to provide you with memorable service.

A 15% gratuity is added for your convenience to one-on-one experiences, such as Spa Services, Personal Training or Private guided hikes.

At any time that you wish to leave gratuity for an individual, you may charge this to your room. At dinner, you will receive a check so if you wish to provide gratuity for your server you may charge this to your guest room, and pay for wine or other incidentals.

If you prefer, we will of course add a daily gratuity fee to your room rate, of which 100% is distributed directly to our team members.

Vegan Vegetable Lasagna

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients
1 T Olive Oil
4 Large Peeled Idaho Potatoes
6 Large Roasted Red Peppers
3 Large Zucchini
5 Large Yellow Squash
2 Eggplant
4 Cleaned Portobello Mushrooms, sliced thin
1 T Parsley, Finely Chopped
1/2 T Oregano, Finely Chopped
1/2 T Basil, Finely Chopped
1/2 T Thyme, Finely Chopped
1/2 t Cayenne Pepper
1 t Garlic Powder
2 t Chili Powder
1 t Onion Powder
1 t Salt
1 t Ground Black Pepper
1/4 Cup Arrowroot Starch

Directions:

• Spray all side of a 9-inch casserole dish with olive oil.


• Combine all the fresh herbs.


• Combine all the spices.


• Slice the potatoes 3/8 inch thick.


• Layer the potatoes, making sure to overlap the edges on the bottom of the casserole dish. Season with spices and herbs. Dust with arrowroot starch.


• Next, slice the zucchini 3/8 inch thick and place over the potatoes, making sure to overlap the edges. Season with spices and herbs. Dust with arrowroot starch.


• Repeat this process, creating individual layers of yellow squash, eggplant, and bell peppers - each layer seasoned with spices and herbs, and dusted with arrowroot starch.


• After creating the pepper layer, repeat the entire layering process in the opposite order making certain to season each layer and dust with arrowroot starch. The last layer should be potato.

Cooking:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.


• Bake covered for 30 minutes.


• Uncover and bake another 20 minutes or until vegetables are soft.


• Let cool before cutting.

Yield: About 12 lbs
Servings: 8
Serving Size: 24 oz.

Exercise to Re-Energize Your Day

@RedMountainSpa
Side raises: Slide to the front edge of your chair. Keep the elbows slightly bent as you raise your arms from your sides, lifting the water bottles or weights upward. Try to get the elbow as high as the shoulder, and then slowly lower your arms back down to your sides. 8-12 repetitions

Try This At Home Manicure

By Myrna Beardshear
@RedMountainSpa
Director of Spa & Wellness

1. Start by removing polish from fingernails. For natural nails, use a non-acetone remover.


2. File nails, filing in one direction starting at the edges and moving toward the top.


3. Soak in soapy water for a few minutes to soften cuticles.


4. Dot a moisturizing cuticle cream on the cuticles and rub in gently.


5. Push back the cuticles, gently, using an orange wood stick. Do not cut cuticles, as this can cause infection and damage the nail.


6. Massage hands with a moisturizing hand lotion.


7. Massage Technique: make small, firm circular motions with your thumb, concentrating on the muscles on inside of hand, near the thumb and little finger, and the base of each finger. Turn hand over and use your index finger to make small circles down the gaps between tendons.


8. Wipe the excess oils or cream off the nails, using a damp cloth.


9. Apply your favorite nail polish.