This month we challenge you to find something that sparks your interest, learn something new, and grow as a person.

Spring is in the air, bringing that tingling sensation of optimism and newness. As we watch the new buds and blooms appearing, we thought, what a wonderful time to turn over a new leaf and do some growing ourselves. There are so many benefits from trying new things, you might discover new talents, passion, friends, or all three! Plus, there is evidence that learning strengthens the brain as weightlifting strengthens the body.

Not sure where to start? Here is a list of 10 Easy & Affordable Learning Resources.

Through the month our Blog and Facebook will be full of inspiration for learning and growing!

• Check out new Guest Programs and Events schedule, read about Rancho Uva
• March Mudness Contest Returns! Bring your creativity and come play in the mud, give us your best muddy moment pose for a chance to WIN 2 Spa Admissions! Read more…
• Celebrate National Nutrition Month with “smart” food and recipes from our Chef Bill Wavrin

Stay connected with Facebook and Twitter. We want to hear from you, tell us how you are taking the challenge and what you learned!

March is just around the corner and we all know what that means—March MUDness! Throughout the month of March I’ll be in CLUB MID Monday through Friday at 1p.m. to snap your muddy moment! Remember, ordinary photos won’t do! We are looking for creative and unique, see below for a small sampling from the last few years.

Photographs will be posted at the end of each week here on the Glen Ivy Blog for everyone to enjoy, as well on Facebook! At the end of each week, we will award a “March MUDness” winner two (2) Glen Ivy Hot Springs Admissions! Contest will run through March 25 so that we select four weekly winners for the month. Then it’s in your hands to select the grand prize winner by voting on our Blog, beginning March 28. The grand prize winner will receive two (2) more Glen Ivy Hot Springs Admissions along with two (2) lunches at Café Solé for their next visit!

So get ready to get muddy and I’ll see you in March!

In March, Glen Ivy Spa challenges you to  find something that sparks your interest, learn something new, and grow as a person.

Stir things up a bit and try something completely new… whether a new interest, skill, hobby or exploring something just for curiosity sake. The options are limitless from taking an art class at the community college, DIY seminars at a local retailer, creative writing workshop at Glen Ivy Hot Springs, or the new program at the gym. Online classes abound for everything from finding your Zen to completing your degree, but we suggest getting out to explore the many resources in the community, having some fun and making new friends while you’re at it.

Here are a list of  affordable resources that are easily accessible to get  you started:

1. Visit your Community College
Close to home, explore offerings for university credits to general interests, from A to Z. See a listing of California Community Colleges.

Learning Programs at Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa in Corona

2. Go Shopping
Some retailers have recognized that teaching customers how to use their products helps build loyal customers, resulting in regular events and workshop offerings!

Be sure to share the ones you discover! Here are some we have seen:

Home Depot DIYselfer
Armstrong Garden Centers
William Sonoma Cooking Classes and Demos
These retailers have many locations and a variety of event options, be sure to also check with your favorite local stores as well.

3. The Library
In addition to the obvious wealth of knowledge in bookform, these longstanding community centers are often host to classes, workshops, and art exhibits.

4. Family Secrets
Want to learn something new? Start close to the heart. Think about your family and friends and what they are good at… an aunt who is a great cook, a grandpa who gardens, or a brother who scuba dives…  don’t be shy, you will likely flatter them by asking.

5. Online Classes
The internet has brought all levels of instruction into our homes. You can pursue a degree from a certified education institution or choose from a number of private businesses offering online video tutorials… you can learn to do almost anything sitting at your computer. Start here: About.com Free Online Classes

6. First Time $$ Savings!
Check the schedule at your favorite fitness spot for free demos or introductory rates to new classes.

7. Join a Group, Club or Organization
From knitting to wine tasting, from swimming to sky diving! Every activity has its loyal following, find a group join a group to share experiences and learn from other enthusiasts. Many keep in touch through newsletters and online chat groups, and get together for monthly or annual events.

8. Museums, Arboretums, Galleries!
Southern California is a gold mine of cultural centers, many with entry by donation or discount admission days. Check websites for upcoming events. A few of our favorites:

The Fullerton Arboretum
The Getty
Huntington Library
LACMA

9. Visit Glen Ivy Hot Springs
Did you know Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona has added a long list of guest programs and events, many free with your Spa admission? From Tai Chi to Creative Writing. Check the website for the current schedule.

10. Volunteer
Many of those who volunteer or teach say one of the biggest rewards is what they learn while helping others. Whether you help someone learn to read at the library or pitch in on a big project like building a home, you can learn new skills while working alongside professionals.

Glen Ivy Hot Springs has a new addition—Rancho Las Uvas. This 6000 square foot garden and program area is located behind the South pool and Under the Oaks. It will be used to host a number of new and existing guest programs, such as herbal wreath making, garden workshops and floral design. One of the first programs will be a Nature Writing Workshop with Glen Ivy’s own Author and Naturalist, Patrick Mitchell on Monday March 14,  11 am to 1 pm.  Get more details here…

Although Rancho Las Uvas is new, it feels old. Hence its first name “Rancho.”

Nearly 50 years before the first guest came to Glen Ivy, Leandro Serrano, was raising cattle and sheep on what would soon be know as Rancho Temescal the 22,000 acre Spanish land grant he and his family managed until the 1880s.

New at Glen Ivy Hot Springs, Rancho Uva Program Area

You can learn more about and see some of Leandro’s works at the Intersection of Interstate 15 and Temescal Road across from the Shell Station. Hear you will find the ‘tanning vats” that Leandro and his Luiseno Indian ranch hands used to tan cattle hides before hauling them over the Santa Ana Mountains to Dana Point. There are several Historic Markers here that tell the stories in detail.

The new Rancho’s second name “Uvas” is Spanish for Grape and pays homage to its relationship with Glen Ivy, which is also a reference to the wild grapes that grow along the creek next to the Spa. The native grapes are quite small, but the leaves which closely resemble Ivy are prominent much of the year in Coldwater Canyon once known as the “Glen” by locals and the Hot Springs owners.

Some of the unique aspects of this new area include the source of its building materials. The logs that frame the program space as well as the fences all washed down from the mountains in the heavy storms we endured earlier this winter. The stones that border its walkways were harvested from the nearby coldwater creek and the rich deep organic soil was created from years of grass clippings, tree trimmings and other green waste collected by the landscape department and composted at 150 degrees for months. Other artistic features including colorful bird of paradise flowers and benches were contributed by the maintenance department.

Rancho Las Uvas consists of a 16 X 12 foot palm-frond shaded program arbor and five distinct gardens. A tropical fruit tree orchard complete with Mango, Papaya and Guava compliments the Citrus orchard with Navel and Blood oranges, tangerines and Buddha’s hands. A California garden with plants that range from Baja to the Redwood region highlights our sustainability efforts. A medicinal and culinary herb garden and a biodynamic vegetable garden add an edible element to the gardens at the Spa.

Stop by and see this new space soon and watch as it grows and matures.

–Patrick Mitchell,
Director of Landscapes and Sustainability

Last week I was helping in my son’s classroom for Valentine’s Day. As the kids lined up to go outside, there was the typical minor pushing and shuffling you would expect from second graders. Then one child shouted out, “Hey! He cut in line! I was there first!” (OK, so it was my kid!) Thinking back on that incident, I began to wonder;  at what age do we stop fighting for our place in line? When did we begin to allow other’s needs and desires to step in front of our own so that we often find ourselves in the back of the line?

Obviously, as we get older and have more responsibilities, we can not always demand to be first in line. Trust me though, it is not possible to create positive lifestyle changes that stick without a healthy dose of “me first!” to make it happen. If you consistently replace your workout time with volunteering at school, or one more project at work, you will not lose weight. Likewise, your blood pressure numbers will only improve with more steps recorded on your pedometer, not more hours punched in on the time clock or mommy meter. Taking care of your health, especially when you are trying to establish new habits and routines, requires that you learn how to put your needs first on a regular basis.

While many of us have grown up with the belief that this is a selfish approach to life,  Drs. Rachel and Richard Heller assert that “healthy selfishness,” or a way of thinking and acting in which there is a deep appreciation and concern for yourself, is essential to living a rewarding life.  They also add that practicing healthy selfishness can feel empowering as you learn to release yourself from the demands and opinions of those around you. From a wellness perspective, when you practice placing your needs at the head of the line, the very act of doing so will increase your  confidence and self esteem. And as these qualities grow stronger within you, you will find  yourself consistently making life affirming choices like exercising and eating healthfully. Eventually, the goal will be to have a healthy balance between taking care of yourself and taking care of others.

So this month, let me offer a few practical suggestions on how you can begin your practice of healthy selfishness:

• Plan Ahead. Before the week begins, make a schedule for yourself that includes your workouts, healthy mealtimes, and time to recharge. Remember, it’s always best to write it down to solidify your commitment. Consider these “me” times to be sacred. Then, when unscheduled things pop up, listen to that “inner second grader” and say, “No cutting in line!”
• Get comfortable with the word NO! Ok, you don’t have to say it with all caps, but there are many ways to protect your time with a polite, “I am sorry, but that will not work for me right now. I have plans.”   If you are a people pleaser and need some help with this, follow this link for some great tips and ideas on learning How to Say No.
• Get rid of the guilt. Guilt is a major barrier to putting your needs first, and like many issues can often be traced to our struggle with self-esteem. When we don’t feel worthy or deserving, we may find ourselves making choices that are not in our best interest. So, part of your wellness journey must be to flex your self-esteem muscle on a daily basis.  Once you have said that tiny word “no”,  practice saying a big “YES!” to feeling good about the strides you are making to honor yourself. (you can even give yourself a fist pump the way the tennis players do when they make a winning shot).

I don’t need to tell you that the cost of NOT practicing “healthy selfishness” can be very high. Serious health issues can arise from poor eating habits, lack of movement and consistently high stress levels. Besides, none of us are much help to those around us, when we do not feel good or lack the energy to contribute. So the next time you find yourself poised to trade out time set aside for yourself with an extra commitment elsewhere, don’t be afraid to stamp your foot and shout, “Me first!” I guarantee that the rewards will pay off for you and everyone around you.

Meg Root

Love Love Love!!

What an amazing response to this contest… almost 250 entries! It was incredibly uplifting and heart warming to read so many tales of love and my lonely heart has been given fresh hope – I am now convinced beyond a doubt that love at first sight and the finding of soul mates do in fact exist, as I read the proof in multiple first hand accounts!

All entries are available for viewing in the comments section of our blog. They range from the romantic, stories of chance and coincidence, humorous, and a few arduous tales of persistence paying off.  I would like to also believe that those who took the time to write in found a deeper appreciation for how fortunate they are to have such a story to share. Our winner reminds us that falling in love can happen each day if we’re open to the possibilities of love and look to find romance in the every day things people do to make us feel cared for and special.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day, and that love surprises you at least once…

Here are the winners, randomly selected by a panel of hopeless romantics.

FIRST PLACE:
Submitted by Franci

Was it when I first touched his soft hair? When our knees touched as we shared a book? Or as we drove together on that day to the publisher, and Clapton’s “Layla” played on the radio? The day he rescued me when my car broke down? Or the night we kissed in the darkened studio? Or was it yesterday, when he tucked our children into bed, cleaned up the dinner dishes, and sat down to talk to me before we curled up together for the night? Actually, he just drove up, and there’s butterflies inside….

RUNNER UP:
Submitted by Sara E.

I was 15 years old when my family decided to take a weekend vacation, camping on Pismo Beach. While there I met a boy who was 17 at the time. From the moment I saw him, I had butterflies. His name was Matt. Long story short, we had a few conversations and a couple laughs throughout the weekend. Sunday morning, we packed up and prepared to hit the road. Before I left I went to say goodbye to my new friend (and hopefully exchange numbers), but his camp site was empty; he had already packed up and hit the road. What a hopeless feeling I had (but then again everything feels hopeless when you’re 15). The only thing I really knew about him was that he happened to live about an hour from me. Every Monday when we got back from our weekend, my English teacher would have us write a journal entry about our weekend adventure. I wrote the silliest puppy love essay (which is hilarious now!). After school, I went to develop the photos I had taken over the weekend. To my surprise, the boy had snapped a picture of himself as a joke when I wasn’t looking. I kept that picture in my drawer for 2 years. One day my mom was cleaning and found the picture. She thought nothing of it and placed it in our picture box along with the other odds and ends she had saved over the years (like my artwork, poetry, and journal entries). Another year goes by, and I finally turn 18. One night, a friend of mine invited me to come to a party with him and his friends. As soon as I arrived, he introduced me to his friend from out of town… and sure enough it was him! Three years later! It’s been six years since that day we met again and we’ve been inseparable since. A couple years back my mother decided to move out of town. While moving she gave me that box of all the odds and ends to store at our home. There it was, his picture and my journal entry; my mom had saved them both. I framed them together and they are above our nightstand. It always reminds me that love will somehow find its way to where it belongs.

RUNNER UP:
Submitted by Sherry B.

A chef at a local family restaurant that my parents and I ate at frequently kept looking at me from behind the counter one day. It somewhat made me nervous and a bit uncomfortable so while my mom paid the bill, I decided to walk on ahead out to our station wagon parked in the lot. Suddenly this mystery chef popped out the back door of the restaurant and said hi to me. I certainly never would’ve guessed that this chef would’ve captured my heart the way he did. But the moment I “KNEW” I was in love with him was when I stopped at the restaurant one morning before my college class to have breakfast by myself. I sat in the booth and smiled at him from behind the counter like I always did. Starting my day seeing him in the morning always made me happy plus he was a fantastic cook so I enjoyed eating his food. The waitress brought my breakfast and I began eating when I noticed a piece of paper wrapped in wax paper underneath my omelette. It was a note from him that said “This is made w/Love!” I have carried that tiny 2×3 note everyday in my purse for the last 23 years!

NOTE TO WINNERS: We have  your email address from your entry and will be contacting you soon to deliver your prize! Thanks so much for participating!

Aromatherapy can be very helpful in adjusting our mood, from promoting relaxation and stress relief to energizing and motivation. In honor of Valentine’s Day, we went in search of scents that inspire love and passion. The following list of oils have powerful sensual properties, and can be used on their own or you can blend two or three for a more powerful effect.

• Sandalwood: Invokes fantasy
• Lavender: Invites romance
• Vanilla: Sweet, passionate stimulant
• Ylang Ylang: Euphoric qualities
• Jasmine: Increases passion
• Rose: Increases passion, especially for females
• Patchouli: Provokes passion, particularly for men
• Geranium: Relaxation

You can dab a few drops on your skin as you would a fragrance, or into your bath. An oil burner will set the scene for a romantic dinner in your home, or take it up a notch and give an aromatherapy massage…

HINT: Unlike perfume, essential oils are highly concentrated and often need to be diluted prior to application. When buying essential oils it is always important to look at the label closely to see if it is pre-diluted. If it is you may be able to use it straight out of the bottle. If not, two ‘Carrier Oils’ you can blend them with maybe already in your cupboard – Vegetable Oil and Olive Oil.

Chocolate lovers rejoice! (I hope it’s safe to assume that most of you enjoy the rich, delectable, creamy, sensual savor of chocolate.) Whether given as a gift, a reward for the kids, or just self indulgence, the new finding with this bitter cocoa pod will delight chocoholics the world over. Now we’re not talking about, M&M’s Hershey bar or Snickers. Although I’ll confess, I do just love Snickers, sugars are up to 90+% in these candies and calories abound.

Opting for just 2 ounces of dark bittersweet chocolate daily, that contains 70% cocoa solids, is a beneficial protection against heart disease, hypertension and high blood pressure. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, (the more bitter the chocolate, the higher the flavonoid content). Flavonoids are compounds in the plant world that protect plants from environmental toxins and exude health benefits we too can be aided by. Other foods high in flavonoids are; apples, cranberries, onions, pomegranates, red wine and tea.

Dark chocolate  is also high in essential trace elements and minerals such as iron calcium, potassium, vitamins A, B, C, D & E. (Cocoa happens to be the highest natural source of magnesium!) A deficiency of magnesium can lead to hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, problems with joints and PMS. Although high in fat, chocolate dose not contain cholesterol.

Some of my favorite ways to enjoy chocolate is to dip with long stem strawberries and other fruit in season.
Dark bitter sweet and non-sweet dark chocolates are the most valuable to your health. So treat your sweet heart to a box of dark chocolate this Valentine’s day, or come down to the Hot Springs and try some of my long stem strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. For more information, you might wish to read the recent study that was published in the Journal of Medicine.

This Valentine’s Day weekend, see what the stars have in store for your heart…

Glen Ivy Hot Springs, Corona CA February 12 & 13

Ask an internationally known psychic questions about your career, relationship, or life purpose.

Todd Hershey is a master clairvoyant and has been performing psychic readings internationally for over twenty years. He uses playing cards and other forms of mystical divination to provide the most enlightened and informative readings possible. Todd has performed thousands of readings and has been a guest speaker on TV, as well as traveling the world for presentations on metaphysics, tarot and his ability to channel and direct energy.

VALENTINES WEEKEND SPECIAL:

Todd will be available for 25 minute intuitive readings at a special rate of $100, exclusively for Glen Ivy guests. Call 888-GLEN IVY to book your appointment. Book soon, appointments are filling up quickly! (Regular rate $150 for 25 minutes)

Know someone who could use a glimpse into the future?  Intuitive readings are a unique and special gift!

Here is a brief introduction from Todd Hershey during his visit to Lake Austin Resort & Spa in Austin TX