The votes are in! This year we received over 250 votes from fans casting their vote for who they think should be crowned our March Mudness Grand Prize WINNER!  And the winning photo is: Swamp Man!

This eerie creature (who we caught lurking in Club Mud during the second week of our contest) has won two Swedish Massages to enjoy! Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who participated in March Mudness and even voted for their favorite photo. It was another fun (and mud) filled March Mudness and we couldn’t have done it without you. While the contest may be over, there is still plenty of mud just waiting for you to enjoy in Club Mud. See you there!

For more Mud Photos, visit us on Facebook.

As we close out that last week of this years March Mudness, we have to give a round of applause to all of our participants this week who helped us end the contest the best way possible — with great photos! From muscular mud men to a muddy Mickey Mouse, this week was filled with fun and laughter as we watched guests have fun in Club Mud.

Our final weekly winner is Alyssa and her friends who incorporated not only the mud, but our beautiful surroundings into their photo! We will be sending Alyssa two spa day admission passes along with a Revitalizing Travel Kit from Primavera.

Starting Monday, April 2 right here on our blog, it will be up to YOU to choose your favorite March Mudness photo and help us crown a grand prize winner! As a reminder, the grand prize winner will receive TWO Swedish Massages so you’ll want to make sure you vote!

For more Mud Photos, visit us on Facebook. See full contest description here.

Not only did we have warmer weather this week, we had some fun and fabulous guests participate in the third week of March Mudness! Congratulations to Esmerelda and her friend who showed us their good and evil side in Club Mud. These lucky ladies are the winners of TWO spa day admission passes along with a Revitalizing Face Care Starter Kit from Primavera.

It’s hard to believe but next week is the last week of March Mudness! If you have yet to join us, make sure to meet us in Club Mud Monday – Friday from 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm to enter. This will be your last chance to win spa admission passes, Primavera products and Swedish Massages so don’t miss out! Voting for our grand prize winner will start Tuesday, April 3 right here on the blog. Make sure your favorite photo wins and vote!

For more Mud Photos, visit us on Facebook. See full contest description here.

Cooler weather didn’t stop some of our die-hard March Mudness fans from participating this week! This week the prize of two spa admission passes and a Travel Kit from our friends at Primavera goes to….Swamp Man!! We found him lurking in Club Mud but luckily we managed to snap his picture.

While we may be at the halfway mark for March MUDness, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to win spa admission passes, Primavera skincare products and massages! We will be in Club Mud Monday – Friday from 1:00 – 1:30 pm to snap your picture until March 30. Voting for our grand prize winner will start Tuesday, April 3 right here on the blog. Make sure you stop by the vote for your favorite mud photo!

For more Mud Photos, visit us on Facebook. See full contest description here.

We kicked off the first week of our 4th Annual March MUDness contest with a BANG! Once again our guests joined us in Club Mud and showed us just how creative they could be in the mud. While it was hard to choose a winner (and we know that it isn’t going to get any easier), we are excited to announce our first weekly winner of the month – Vincent! He crafted a mud eye patch, mustache and hook then struck his fiercest pirate pose. Congratulations Vincent and we hope you enjoy your prize, TWO Hot Springs Admissions!

In case you weren’t able to make it to the Hot Springs this week, or if you’re at home planning your uber-creative mud photo, have no fear! We will be in Club Mud Monday – Friday from 1:00 – 1:30 pm waiting to snap your picture until March 30. We still have more Hot Springs Admission passes to give away to our weekly winners and TWO 50 minute Swedish Massages to award our grand prize winner!

Our camera is ready. Are you?

From proposals to a simple date night with a friend , we received over 100 entries for this year’s Valentine’s Day Contest! We asked you to share your most memorable Valentine’s Day experiences and once again, we are in awe with the amount of love that graced our blog and Facebook page.

Some entries are humorous while others sound like they could easily be the premise of a romantic movie (and yes, we may have shed a tear or two reading a few), but all entries showed us just how special celebrating relationships can be.

We hope you enjoy reading our winning entries and from all of us here at Glen Ivy, we wish a wonderful Valentine’s Day filled with love and laughter.

Grand Prize Winner 

My most memorable Valentine’s Day was when I received a card from my Father. I was in college and seeing those words, “I love you” meant more to me than from any boyfriend. There was such joy in feeling the unconditional love of a parent. As a result, Valentine’s Day in our house is celebrated not just between me and my husband but with our children as well. It’s a day for us to remind each other how much we love one another and will always be there for each other – unconditional love.- Maria M.

Runner Ups

My most memorable Valentine’s Day was last year. My husband is usually deployed the first part of the year, but we were blessed to have him home for 2 years. My husband, kids and I made a yummy and fun chocolate fondue. It was so special being together as a family and seeing the happiness in my kids’ faces. This year my husband is deployed again, so the kids and I are going to keep up our new family tradition of fondue, and send some chocolate to daddy too. – Erika N.

It was our second Valentines day together first one with our son and first one in our first home together. It was a simple homemade dinner for two, yet very romantic and in the background our babbling son. What made it memorable was everything. First home, first child, first Valentines together and not going out to a typical date night with candy and flowers. – Joshua M.

My favorite Valentine’s Day was spent with a friend. We were both without a significant other, and I was visiting her in London. While she was at work, I did some research and found a terrific restaurant and bar that she’d never been to. We had a great evening and finished out the day by watching a chick flick that any guy would have grumbled about. Here’s to celebrating friendship on Valentine’s Day! — Kathleen

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!

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!

The last days of the Glen Ivy August Challenge have been very rewarding!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated and shared their inspirations. Congratulations to Estela C., this weeks winner of a Glen Ivy Hot Springs one day admission voucher.

I have to say this was one of my favorite challenges. Like all of you, I made a conscious effort to direct a small portion of my day to better my health and happiness. I spent my time going for walks, meal planning, picking fresh vegetables, and doing some dance offs with my kids! They all made me feel great, and grateful. But the surprise for me was the journaling aspect. What I learned is that writing my thoughts and intentions down, keeping a record, was like giving myself a pat on the back and made me more likely to stay on course. I also realized that reading through your submissions was equally uplifting. While we worked individually on our goals, sharing them gave me a sense of teamwork that was supportive and inspiring. Thanks to everyone who made time for themselves, I hope you continue to do so, and please keep sharing your inspirations with all of us on Facebook!

Here are some of the submissions we received last week:

…My 10 minutes a day is spent doing something from my childhood.  As silly as it sounds, I have forced myself to give into the 10 minutes a day because it brings me back to the feelings of joy as a kid, when we gave ourselves ‘permission’ to play without guilt.  And this was the 10 minutes a day epiphany that now has become a daily ritual. I used to twirl the baton as a kid. I enjoyed it.  I have a desk job, so getting outside for 10 minutes, rather than sitting some more during my break, is really a nice thing to do. — Stacey K.

I have several 10 min activities in a day, yet they are all an everyday must.
1) At least 10 min of exercise and or stretching.
2) 10 min. reading time/prayer/meditation
3) 10 min in the bath tub
4) 10 min with my dog
5) 10 min watering the grass
— Monique O.

I’ve learned that time to myself is import to my well-being. I do many things to give myself much deserved “me” time. Something new in my life is going back to school after many years, and finding that my study time is completely relaxing and calming to my day.  I’ve always enjoyed cooking and baking, so at times I find it good for my soul to go in the kitchen and unleash my culinary diva!  A stroll through the local farmers market or health food store is another favorite “me” thing to do.  Yesterday, I enjoyed an hour of relaxation by sunbathing at the neighborhood pool. Some days I find a walk around the neighborhood is what I need to clear my mind and give me that sense of accomplishment for the day.  I love music, so I’ll often take a 10 or 15 minute drive just to have alone time and unwind while listening to a favorite CD.  And who doesn’t find sitting at a favorite coffee shop sipping on a beverage relaxing? Simple things are so rewarding … so I take advantage of “me” time, and enjoy life! — Jodie D.

My 10 minutes a day is usually in the morning, cup of tea in hand and on my patio. I usually am praying and meditating on being a better person each day and giving thanks for each moment I am fortunate to have in this life. As a bonus somedays, I give myself a mini facial, along with a cucumber hydrating mask. Ten minutes goes a long way for me and I am looking for more ways to defrag each day. —Gina M.

I’ll think about a time when I was very happy. It could be the day one of my kids was born, time spent with my grandmother, a great deal I got during a shopping trip or my last visit to Glen Ivy. I’m happy everyday the Lord gives me, but I have a lot of specials moments in my life that made even more grateful. Just focusing in one of those moments for 10 minutes a day really helps with any stress I may have. — Shandel L.

Thanks to everyone who joined in. We hope you continue to bring spa into your lifestyle everyday for health and happiness. Let us know how this Challenge worked for  you by leaving a comment below.

Stay tuned for September when we celebrate National Yoga Month!

This August, the Glen Ivy Spa Monthly Challenge invites you to find ways to live happier and healthier life 10 minutes at time!

We are now through our third week of this challenge, and I have truly been inspired by the responses. So many of you have made sincere and successful steps towards acknowledging your health and actively finding time in your day for YOU.  Reading through the letters has reinforced this and spurred some new ideas on how to make time in my day, and so we will continue to share some of the many that we have received.

Please keep sending your weekly notes to contest@glenivy.com, and if you haven’t tried the Challenge yet, it’s not too late! Next Tuesday, Aug 30 will be the last week that we will draw for a Glen Ivy Hot Springs admission voucher, but we hope that you will continue to invest a minimum of 10 minutes each day on your health and happiness. Please continue to share your successes with us by leaving comments on the Blog. Many participants have noted that the simple act of writing it down affirms their efforts and is powerful in helping to create new healthy habits. The extra perk is you may be inspiring someone else to do the same, and that feels great too!

Congratulations to Krissa W., Week Three WINNER of a one day admission to Glen Ivy Hot Springs!

You will find Krissa’s letter for you to read below, as well as few more highlights from other participants. Spending time with animals, usually dogs, but also cats, horses and even alpacas, has brought calm and smiles to many this past week. Meditation and quiet time for reflection were other popular ways people chose to use their 10 minutes a day. What will you do with 10 minutes?

Here are some of the notes we received last week to inspire you:

I must say when I read the challenge I really doubted how 10 minutes a day could make any kind of impact on my day.  Boy was I surprised!  As a full time working woman, mom, and wife, it is amazing how you can make time and be sure everybody else is taken care of but neglect yourself.  With this challenge I vowed to try 10 minutes and see how it went, I mean who can’t spare 10 minutes (that is a coffee break).  On day one I just tried doing some meditation at my desk.  Closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.  It helped so much to just de-stress from the day I was having… then to my surprise when my 10 minutes was up I looked out my window to see a dragonfly rocking a yoga pose perhaps mimicking me.  Hilarious!  I think his pose was better than mine… but hey.  They next three days I opted to take quick walks since there was a lot going on at the office and real “quiet & alone” time would be hard to come by.  My goal was to enjoy my surroundings and find something that caught my eye and appreciate it.  I found some lovely red flowers one day, an amazing sunflower the next, a lovely serene view of some yellow flowers with the river in the background and finally on day five I ventured out even further for a relaxing 10 minute drive with a new CD and caught an amazing glimpse of the lakes by my office.  Funny how until the challenge I thought I need to spend more time getting away when my true escape came from within and giving back to myself……….just 10 little minutes.

Now I find myself looking forward to my 10 minutes of “me” time and since it is such a small amount of time… no excuses needed to justify it.  Now I combine it with my coffee break and enjoy a fresh cup and a walk to soak it all in and take joy in celebrating me.  I have also noticed it helps me relax and be more tolerant of those interruptions from both co-workers and family.  I have added an extra 10 minutes of “me” time into my home life too.  So twice a day I make sure that I relax and recharge.  Who knew 10 minutes was enough time!— Krissa W.

I found my ten minutes of better health to be in the morning when I first wake up. Its the one time I have the ENTIRE house quiet, and I have been meditating, stretching, day dreaming..etc! Sometimes, it takes place in the shower, other times its when im blow drying my hair. I consider ME time a way to a better healthier me! Plus, waking up early gives PLENTY of time for breakfast
My only advice…I need more than ten minutes! —Shanna F.

I spend ten mins. of my day decompressing from the business, by meditating to some wonderful Spanish guitar music and sometimes with a glass of wine. — Ashley S.

I start the day outside on the patio with my first cup of coffee.  I am spending time with nature and my dogs… no kids, no husband, this is my private time, and I enjoy the silence and tranquility before any chaos begins. It’s my time to be mindful, to center myself, to focus on ME. This morning ritual is VITAL to maintaining health and happiness. — Sande M.

Horseback riding, grooming and exercising 2 horses. Very relaxing and fulfilling. Horses are my physical and mental therapy! I took a ballet class for one hour & 1/2. I haven’t been in a dance class for over 20 years. I must be crazy. Sweated like a pig and huffed like a steam engine. The following day… walked my two dogs morning and evening. Tried to stretch out in the evening to work against the sore muscles from yesterday’s dance class. I am so sore, but it is a good sore...— Irene H.

Laid outside and read a magazine, hardly ever do I sit and relax like this. Another day… Went to the gym and did more yoga for an hour, and then came home and read for 20 minutes about healthy recipes. — AE

I relax at the end of the day while enjoying a hot cup of chamomile tea for a restful sleep and with great energy the following day. Reading, soaking feet in warm water and foot massages are also favorite ways to spend my 10 minutes. — Rosa Z.

I visited an alpaca farm with friends for the entertainment of the kids, but was surprised by how much I enjoyed being around these animals. They also have incredible soft wool and so I bought some and decided to try learning to knit. It was easier than I thought and I have been spending 10 minutes a day, or more, knitting. It is far more relaxing than I thought, but kind of fun too! — Alyssa N.

What will you do with 10 minutes? Post your comments here, or email to contest@glenivy.com.

This August, the Glen Ivy Spa Monthly Challenge invites you to find ways to live happier and healthier life 10 minutes at time!

Congratulations to Ginny Meinen, Week One WINNER of a one day admission to Glen Ivy Hot Springs!

The first week of the August Challenge has been lots of fun, especially hearing back from all of you. We chose this challenge knowing that sometimes the surest way to change is small steps, and believing that everyone can find 10 minutes in their day to focus on health and happiness. We are just at the beginning so it’s not too late to join in. We hope everyone will participate by jotting down how they used 10 minutes in their day, and email it to contests@glenivy.com, each week will draw a winner for a complimentary admission to Glen Ivy Hot Springs! Winners will be announced the following Tuesday here on our Blog.

We are thrilled with the results and want to share a small sampling of what we received to inspire you:

I use my getaway 10 minutes to take relaxing deep breaths. Breathing deeply through my nose & exhaling through my mouth, & giving myself a good stretch.This helps me to relax & gives me a sense of well being. —Roma M.

I love to sit quiet to think or read. That is a great relaxing activity for me. It’s like my own time out. — Sonia M.

A special bath with Epsom salts, lit by tea light candles, in which I focus on relaxation with soft music playing, usually music with ocean sounds, but today it is “Celtic Twilight” and I list on paper my three best moments of my day. — Ann

The one thing I have done over the past week is have a cup of tea and read a book for at least 10 minutes in the morning which has made me feel so much more relaxed. I also feel much more efficient as I get my day going. —Danielle K.

I always get up early and make myself a cup of tea. I walk around the garden, my 16 year old deaf dog at my heels, listening to day awakening. This little time to myself empowers me to be able to be everything to all the people (my family included) with a smile on my face and in my voice. — Lesley A.

So far this “10 minute challenge” is really making me take an active role towards a healthier lifestyle. I would usually look at exercise as a chore, but now I’m looking at it with a more positive outlook. These past three days, I’ve excitedly woken up planning how I’m going to spend those 10 minutes focusing on my health. I’m really enjoying this challenge and having to write about it reminds me that I am already taking care of myself. — Christine B.

I washed pears and walked around the house silently handing one to each family member. We all ate the sweet juicy pears in slurpy heaven. Then threw the cores into the composting bin in back. It felt good and healthy. — Juliette W.

I knew today was going to be stressful and busy.  So, I planned a 10 minute break at the end of the day just before preparing dinner.  I went outside and sat in the shade of the trees and just took in the beauty of my backyard.  It was amazing to slow down and take in all that was around me.  I could hear the water splashing in the fountain and look out at the brilliant blue sky.  A butterfly flitted around over the flowers, testing one here and one there.  I was entertained by my cat rolling on the warm concrete and our little dog nipping at her heels.  This is something I have to remember to do more often!— Ginny M.

A theme we have noticed is that being mindful of the time you set aside for yourself is a big part of the benefit of this exercise. How are you spending your 10 minutes?