It’s time to welcome in the New Year and you know what that means – it’s time to make your New Year’s resolution! We at Glen Ivy want to help you keep your resolution and what better way than with a contest?

Here’s what to do:
send an email to meghann.pracanica@glenivy.com stating your resolution, why it’s important to you and how Glen Ivy can help you keep it all year long. Resolutions require action plans so let us help you put your intentions into actions in 2010!

UPDATE – Deadline Extended!: Entries must be received via email by January 5 and the winner will be announced on the blog January 6. One lucky winner will receive 12 admission passes to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa in Corona – one admission pass for each month in 2010!

HAPPY SPALIDAYS to you and yours from all of us here at Glen Ivy!

It’s officially the first day of winter, Christmas is just days away and the New Year is right around the corner. As the chillier winter weather begins to settle in here in Southern California, I often find myself struggling to leave the warm comfort of my home but many of our guests claim that now is the best time to be at the spa. Here are a few of our favorite reasons to visit the spa in the winter:

-With the cool weather, the hot spas feel even more relaxing

-There are fewer people than in the summer

-A massage and a soak is the best way to beat the stress of the holiday

-The Grotto body treatment is perfect with dry winter skin

-Things seem to move a little slower here, making it the perfect escape from everyday stress

So whether you are trying to unwind after the holidays, getting ready for the New Year, or simply treating yourself to a day of relaxation, we hope to see you soaking in one of our spas during this fabulous winter season!

Last holiday season Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa had a few very special visitors from the remote Pacific Island of Tanna. As part of the Travel Channel show “Meet the Natives“, these five tribesmen traveled across the country, staying with different families each week to learn about American culture. During their time with a family from Orange County, the five men – Chief Mangau (the Chief of the tribe), Keimua (Head Dancer), Sam (The Medicine Man), Kuai (The Happy Man), and Namus (the Translator) – came to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa while the Travel Channel filmed their day at the spa, including their experiences receiving massages and pedicures, and getting muddy in Club Mud. It was such a fun day being with the tribe and seeing the awe, excitement, and, at times, question in their eyes – it will be very interesting to see (now that it’s been translated with subtitles) what they were actually saying and thinking!

Be sure to tune in to the Meet the Natives episode this Sunday, Dec. 13 at 10 p.m. E/P. Until then, read more about their Orange County adventure in this article from the Orange County Register.

(Travel Channel photo)
check out this clip from the show (TravelChannelTV, YouTube):

As hard as it is to believe, the holidays are in full swing! The lights are up, tree is decorated, and stockings are hung (with care, of course)…And now to figure out what to put in those stockings! Working at a spa has many perks, including having a Spa Lifestyle Store to shop in – it’s definitely making my life easier this holiday season. I had some fun shopping around and thought I’d share my personal list of “Top Ten” items that make the perfect little stocking stuffer gifts…the best part is they’re all under $25!

The holidays can be a very hectic time for everyone. One of the most stressful parts of the season is trying to find that perfect gift for all of those people in your life who love different things. To help ease that holiday stress, we’ve put together some gift giving ideas from the spa!

While I look forward to Thanksgiving dinner, I must admit, I look forward to the abundance of leftovers even more! Too often during the holidays I find myself sneaking into the fridge for a midnight snack. Our own Chef Bill gave me the perfect recipes for turning that Thanksgiving turkey into a second meal! So as you tip-toe into the kitchen (don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone) make sure to whip up his Holiday Gobbler Sandwich and Strawberry Habanero Jelly. We’re sure you will gobble it up! Enjoy!

4-4 ounce piece of turkey breast, sliced thin

1 cup strawberry jam

As I sit down to think of ideas for the various holiday meals that will be happening over the next few months, I often find myself in a “food rut.” Sure there are the classic dishes that usually grace the table for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but who wants to eat the same thing every year? Glen Ivy’s Executive Chef, Bill Wavrin, provided me with some of his best holiday recipes to try out this season–Cranberry Chutney and Orange Scented Sweet Potatoes with Oranges. From Chef Bill’s kitchen to yours…enjoy!

Ingredients:

8 cups fresh cranberries
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
2 cups fresh squeezed Orange juice
4 cups water
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
6 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Method:

Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat with the cranberries and apples and cook until cranberries start to crack (about 2 minutes). Add the remaining ingredients and simmer until cranberries have broken down and chutney is starting to thicken (25 minutes). Season with the brown sugar to taste.

Add to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. It is better overnight so the flavors can marry. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Per 1/4 cup: Calories 40; Protein 0g; Total Fat 0g; Carbohydrate 9g; Dietary Fiber 2g; Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 0mg.

2 pounds of sweet potatoes
6 cups fresh orange juice