How to Enter

We love a good family vacation story and we’re giving you a chance to win a great Father’s Day gift for Dad by sharing yours!

In 200 words or less, tell us about your favorite vacation memory with Dad. 

Send in your entry to contest@glenivy.com or leave a comment below by Tuesday, June 19. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 20 right here on the Glen Ivy blog.

Prize

The winner will receive (2) $50 Glen Ivy gift cards and (2) Taking the Waters Admission Passes.

February is almost here and we are welcoming the month with open arms. Why you ask? Because here at Glen Ivy we LOVE love and this month is filled with things that we’re sweet on.  Here are just a few things that we’re excited about for February:

• Valentine’s Day Contest- Have a memorable, romantic or funny Valentine’s Day experience? Then we want to hear from you! Submit your entry Tuesday, February 7 – Monday, February 14 on the Glen Ivy blog for a chance to win a spa day for two!
• Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup- We’ll be welcoming this fabulous line to the Hot Springs this month! Join us for the Jane Iredale launch party, Rose & Romance: Kissable Lips and Touchable Skin, February 11 & 17. You won’t want to miss out on experience Janie Iredale makeup, get color matched by our Skin Care Experts, win prizes, and take home some great gifts with your purchase.
• Rose Hydration Facial- We’re excited to introduce our newest facial that rehydrate your skin with the essence of custom distilled organic roses. This 50 minute treatment will leave your skin and mind feeling balanced, refreshed and renewed….a true indulgent rose experience! As if this facial couldn’t get any better, exclusive to this facial is an Opal Eye treatment and Moroccan Oil Scalp Treatment.
• The Art of Racing in the Rain- Selected for the winter edition of the Glen Ivy Book Club, we are loving this New York Time’s Best Seller.  What we’re the most excited about is that the author, Garth Stein, has stopped by to join in the conversation! Whether you are reading along with us or have already read it, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
• Love is in the Air- From our Massage for Two: Learn to do a Basic Couples Massage to Lunch & Learn with Spa Chef Bill: Romantic Dinner for Two, we have plenty of romantic things to do for the perfect date day with that someone special!

These may be our top five things we’re excited about but there are many  more Events and Activities and Specials happening in February that we can’t wait for and we hope to see you around the spa enjoying them right along with us!

What are you looking forward to most in February at Glen Ivy? Let us know here or on Facebook!

Well fans, you did it again! You managed to make the 2012 Intentions into Actions Contest the best one yet! From spending more time with family to embarking on a mission to live a  healthier life, we received over 400 entries (double the amount from last year!) that were filled with inspiration, dedication and love.

With all of the amazing entries that were submitted by you, our wonderful fans, we couldn’t pick just three winners so guess what? We randomly selected TWELVE! Congratulations to our winners who each have won a pair of Glen Ivy admission passes!

Winners

Monica C.
Christina W.
Erin H.
Michele M.
Susan R.
Jessica B.
Sharolyn R.
Jeanette
Karla D.
Suzi S.
Donna S.
Cathy M.
*We’ll be contacting the winners to mail you your prize

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their 2012 intentions. We’d love to hear how your intentions are going throughout the year so make sure to follow Glen Ivy on Facebook to share and to see how others are doing. Whatever your intention may be, good luck from all of us here at Glen Ivy!

As we said goodbye to 2011, we were fortunate enough to end the year with a day filled with sunshine and wonderful guests at both our Hot Springs and Brea locations. The first day of 2012 wasn’t any different as we welcomed the year with another beautiful day and fantastic guests. Meet a few important guests who helped us end 2011 on a good note and start off 2012 the same way:

Last Guests of 2011: John and Teresa Hull

John has been coming to Glen Ivy since 1984 (and estimates that he has visited the Hot Springs over 300 times!) and with a less hectic schedule, is even considering becoming a Club 1860 Member again for even more frequent visits.  By his side is was his favorite spa partner, his wife, Teresa who has been coming to the Hot Springs since 1990.

Along with getting massages, they enjoy the peaceful, tranquil environment and the friendly staff.  John could not stop raving about the Café, especially the BBQ chicken pizza. What keeps them coming back though is the opportunity the Hot Springs gives them for getting away for some relaxation.

So what does 2012 have in store for the Hulls? Both have the same resolution:  To eat better, be more active and to be spend more time at Glen Ivy.

First Guests of 2012: Don and Lorraine Riser

January 1, 2012 was a special day for Don an d Lorraine Riser. This was Don’s first visit to Glen Ivy. His wife Lorraine has visited the Spa in the past and decided to bring Don on a surprise visit (not a bad way to start off the year if you ask us!).

Having recently retired from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, the trip was a surprise retirement celebration for Don. Lorraine woke up Don early in the morning stating that that had an appointment to get to (so much for retirement).

As they were driving up the road his first thoughts were a day at the golf course?  Then he realized he was on his way to the spa for a day of  to get started on the resolution that Lorraine had made for him this year:  to learn how to relax.  After spending 31 years of service with the Sheriffs department he has earned the right to relax.  Lorraine’s goal was that Glen Ivy is going to be the beginning of Don’s relaxation process and we couldn’t be happier to help him achieve his resolution.

Brea’s Last Guests of 2011: Erika & Florence Sheppard

Having received Glen Ivy gift cards during the holidays, Erika and Florence Sheppard decided to spend the last day of the year enjoying some of their favorite things: cold stone eye treatments and massages. Both have only visited the Brea location a few times but with their New Year’s resolution being “to exercise, be more present and eat better,” we have a feeling that they’ll be back to enjoy everything that Brea has to offer throughout the year.

Brea’s First Guest of 2012: Mary Koller

Mary Koller has visited Glen Ivy Day Day Spa Brea so many times that’s she has lost count. “I have been here so many times. You would have to look up my history!” As our very first guest of the new year, Mary explains that what keeps her coming back is the friendly staff and the incredibly relaxed feeling she experiences after her services.

Adding a little pampering to her New Year’s Day, she jumped at the chance to use her Glen Ivy gift card and joined us for a massage (in fact, her family knows how much she loves Glen Ivy that they often give her gift card for all occasions!). Like many of our guests, Mary’s 2012 resolution is to to loose weight and stress less and is already off to a great start!

Thank you to all of our guests who visited in 2011 and we look forward to seeing everyone throughout 2012!

Share your New Year’s Intentions and
Enter to WIN a Day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs

As we say goodbye to 2011 and welcome in 2012, many of us like to take this time to reflect on little (or big) ways that we can make this upcoming year a little better. Whether it’s quitting a bad habit or taking up a new hobby,  challenging yourself to stick to a resolution can be difficult so we are here to help with our annual “Intentions into Actions” contest. We’ve made it easy to enter, and think you may find hearing what your fellow spa goers are aspiring towards may offer inspiration and support to your own journey. In case you need a little inspiration, here are a few of our favorites from last year:

• To care for others, the way others took care of me when I was stressed out.
• This year I am going to put my health first.
• I am going to move my focus onto the positive of every situation, and pick my battles.
• I am going to keep a journal, because writing this down right now has made things seem clearer.
• This year, I intend to entertain more and invite friends over… as well continue to make new friendships

How to Enter

Share your intention with us right here on our blog by leaving a comment on this post before January 9, 2012. Make sure to tell us your resolution, why it’s important to you and how we can help you keep it all year long.

The Prize

We will randomly select three lucky winners who will each win a pair of complimentary admissions to Glen Ivy Hot Springs. A day at the Spa can be a great incentive or reward and can help make putting your intentions into action a little easier. Winners will be announced the following week.

New Year, New You

From new Treatment Specials to Events and Activities, we’re here to  help you kick start  your intentions and start the year off the best way possible. Book the New Year, New You Detox Treatment or Pedicure to add a little bit of bliss to 2012 or enjoy $18.60 Admission any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday throughout the month for some post-holiday relaxation.  Download the January Schedule of guest programs that include delicious Lunch and Learn class with our own Executive Chef Bill Wavrin and Container Gardening for a Colorful New Year.

As we get ready to welcome in a new year, we want to take a moment to thank our wonderful guests for your continued support. Words can’t express our appreciation that you choose Glen Ivy as a place to relax, celebrate and make memories.

As a reminder, all Glen Ivy locations will be closed Christmas Day.

Still looking for a perfect gift this holiday season? Make them smile with a Glen Ivy Instant Gift Certificate you can personalize and print, Shop now!

We look forward to your next visit and, on the subject of visits, we have a special one to share…

T’was the day before Christmas at Glen Ivy Spa,
not a soul was stressed, and you could hear all the “ahhhhs.”

Friends gathered close, with conversations to share,
and sounds of joy and happiness filled the air

Some soaked in baths or lounged peacefully instead,
while scrumptious treats from Chef Bill danced in their heads.

By the end of the day, all faces were a’glow,
each wishing they could stay and not have to go.

We all knew that Santa was well on his way,
but still stopped in at Club Mud for a last play in the clay.

Then all of a sudden what did we hear?
It was Santa’s merry sleigh bells and his team of reindeer.

On the top of Solé Terrace they landed with such ease,
relieved to be in So Cal and away from the freeze.

He stopped at each pool, bath house and more,
and stretched with some yoga before visiting the Spa Store.

His reindeer grew restless so they hit the salon,
where they had Primavera facials and red hooves painted on.

Before he departed Santa enjoyed one last treat,
a massage under the oaks (focusing on his feet).

A trip to the grotto and a mineral bath soak,
then Santa took off his spa robe and donned hat and coat.

He filled all the bird feeders with special holiday seed,
and visited the turtles hiding under the reeds.

With the moon on the rise o’re the mountains around,
he took one last stroll through the botanical grounds.

The reindeer stood ready, restored and renewed,
as Santa left gifts for the good Glen Ivy crew.

A cup of Paradise Tea and he was on his way,
exclaiming “Happy Spa-lidays to all, I do wish I could stay!”

Our wish for you this holiday season is continued health and happiness and to let you know we’re here for you all year-long.

From all us of at Glen Ivy,

Happy Holidays

With the turn of the calendar page, a favorite holiday season begins! Everyone has their own special way of celebrating this time of year, my thoughts immediately go to planning parties, cooking delicious food, the smiles on children’s faces, time to spend with friends and family… However you enjoy the season, the thing that too many of us do have in common is feeling some holiday stress. Since we believe in tackling stress so we can live happier, healthier lives, our December challenge is to put a little bit of Spa into your holiday, to keep it simple and make it meaningful.

I know my favorite way to add Spa to my holiday is to “go to the Spa!” Which is a great idea and we hope that you do. What could be better than a few hours to step away from it all, relax and recharge, even spend some quality time with friends or family at the Spa. But there is more to it than that. Throughout the month we will be offering advice for keeping things simple, from gift giving to planning get-togethers. We will be asking you to do a review of what the season means to you, which things are most important, and ways to keep your focus. You can also count on us for tips for stress relief, healthy and delicious holiday food, and how to get a head start on your new year’s intentions.

Get started…

To get started, we want to hear from you. What is one simple thing that makes your holiday season special and meaningful? Whether it is a tradition, a favorite food, or special memory, please tell us in a comment on Facebook. And since it is the season of giving, we will choose two random comments to receive a gift from our new skincare partner Primavera!

Happy Spa-lidays!

More this Month:

A sampling of the December Guest Programs and Events Schedule for Glen Ivy Hot Springs, complimentary with spa admission:
• Stress-free Spaliday! Saturday December 10 at Glen Ivy Hot Springs
• Scents of the Season, Handmade Aromatherapy Gifts with Paula Hamilton
• Creating Loving Holiday Celebrations with Ariel Hubbard
• Gifts from the Garden with Patrick Mitchell
• Natural and Eco Friendly Holiday Gift Wrapping Ideas
• Traditional Mexican Holiday Tamales and Chile Relleno with Chef Bill Wavrin

Join us on the Glen Ivy Blog, Facebook and Twitter for updates.

“A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.”
— Author Unknown

Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry for our Silliest Dad Contest! We loved reading about all of the silly things that your dads do! From speaking in funny accents to pudding fights in the kitchen, dad will do anything to make you smile which makes him so special. As difficult as it was, we are happy to announce our contest winners whose entries made us laugh and who will receive some great prizes just in time for Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19.

And our grand prize entry who receives two admission, lunch, and grotto passes is……..

“My husband created a “burrito bar” after the kids’ baths. He wraps them in their towels, carries them to the bed and pretends to add ingredients to the ‘kiddo burrito.’”
-Julie W.

Congratulations to our runner-up winners who each won a 2-for-1 admission pass:

“As my son says daddy looks silly when he plays dragons. He puts on fairy wings (he’s the dragon). He’s Peter Pan and is always down in the dirt playing with the kids. Best Dad ever!
-Carissa L.

My Minnesota Pop is so funny! He believes EVERYTHING can be fixed with DUCT TAPE! From skirt hems to musical instruments to cookware! Everyone cracks up at his funny “fixes”!
-Melody

From all of us here at Glen Ivy, we wish all the dads out there a wonderful Father’s Day!

Sunny summer months are the best time to kick it into gear and start eating and moving your way to lasting changes!

Meg Root is an ACE certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist with over 25 years in the fitness and spa industry.

Shorter days. Colder temperatures. Rainy weather. No wonder so many of us fail to follow through with the healthy commitments we made to ourselves on New Years Day! Looking back, one could argue that January is the WORST month of the year to attempt a major lifestyle makeover.

But with those dismal winter months behind us, I’m here to tell you that there is no BETTER time than the warm, sunny summer months to kick it into gear and start eating and moving your way to lasting changes. Not only is the weather more favorable, but there is something about summer that just smacks of fun, adventure and the great outdoors. And living in Southern California means that we have an abundance of the very ingredients that allow us to move out of our typical routines in search of something new and different.  So, for the next couple of months, I give you permission to throw out the same old predictable approach that I usually preach—goal setting, writing it down, making an appointment with yourself, blah, blah, blah!– and replace it with a sense of playful adventure that puts a healthy dose of  WOW! into your wellness.

Think hike, not walk.

While there is nothing easier and more convenient than a consistent walking program, the summer is a great time to head off road and explore the trails in your community. Turning your walk into a hike means that the varied terrain along with the extra time spent outside enjoying nature (and burning calories) will also benefit your bottom line–literally. Also trending in fitness these days–training for local races and charity events. Choose something you care about and get moving for a good cause–not to mention for your own health!

Think market, not store.

Ditch the grocery store one day a week and venture out to your local farmer’s market. These days, you don’t have to travel to Provence to enjoy a fabulous outdoor market experience (although, that would be nice!). Chances are you have something just as inspiring within 10 miles of your own house.  Have fun with it–leave the paper and plastic at home and bring a woven basket to carry your produce. First thing in the basket should always be a gorgeous bunch of flowers. Then shop around for one new colorful vegetable or unique ingredient you are not used to cooking with and give it a try when you get home. Check out my favorite foodie website, food52.com. They have a fun page titled “foodpickle,” that could probably tell you just what to do with that bunch of purple kale you just bought!

Think social, not solo.

Hey, I’m the first one to seek out the solitude of a solo workout or a deserted stretch of beach for my chair and umbrella. But summer seems like such a great time to do just the opposite. I love watching the fun and camaraderie of beach volleyball games, group surfing lessons, outdoor bootcamp workouts, and music in the park. And when you start hanging out with people who love to do these things, things that get your body moving and lift your spirit at the same time, you begin to want to do more of it yourself.

Now, you may think that I’m giving you the summer off from your healthy aspirations. Well, I’m not! What I hope will happen, and I have a strong feeling that it will, is that putting the fun factor into moving more, healthy shopping and connecting with like minded people, will lay the foundation for the cold winter months when inspiration can be hard to find. You’ve heard of Christmas in July. Well, today I am declaring New Year’s Day in June!

What will be your healthy resolution for the summer months ahead?

Meg Root

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day for the last day of our MUDder’s Day photo contest. Moms gathered in Club Mud with their daughters, sons and friends and as the pictures show, had a great time playing in the mud! Congratulations to Anthony and his mom for having the winning photo for this week!

Stay tuned to vote for our grand prize winner who will win a $100 Glen Ivy gift card! Voting starts Tuesday, May 31!