Spa News - January 2007

Start the Year with Spa

Rough and stormy weather continues on the West Coast this month, but we're still fresh with New Year's energy at AquaTerre.

To keep your resolutions on track, we're bringing you some stress-relief pointers, a zesty soup recipe and our invigorating new coffee-infused treatment combination.

If you're looking for Valentine's inspiration, scroll to the bottom for some incredible gift ideas.

Best Regards,

Chandra Pearson
Spa Director

Resolve to Relax this Winter

Relaxation and balance can be challenging goals to start the new year with - especially here in Canada. Whether it's snow or rain outside your door, winter weather brings specific wellness challenges to us all.

Tension due to cold, poor circulation and more time indoors all hit hard during the frosty months. A lack of both fresh air and humidity in our homes and offices can leave us feeling generally lethargic, run down and achy.

It's also the time of year for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) caused by reduced daylight hours. SAD can result in depressive symptoms for many living above the 30°N parallel or below 30°S.

So how do we combat the little aches and crummy moods that come with winter? Here are a few simple suggestions for beating the winter blues.

Solutions at Home:

• Try an essential oil diffuser (bergamot is great pick-me up scent)
• Unwind and re-heat with a moisturizing bath
• Curl up with a heating pad or electric blanket (remember to unplug!)
• Get your daily dose of light
• Don't forget to exercise!
• Plan a weekend away
• Rent a comedy and keep the music upbeat

Suggestions at the Spa:

• Massage: Renew your energy and unlock the tension in your muscles
• Body Wraps : Recharge your skin's moisture and be wrapped in warmth
• Body Scrubs: Detoxify, improve circulation, and exfoliate dry skin

*Winter stress info found on www2.oprah.com and SAD facts found on en.wikipedia.org.

Black Bean Soup With Jalapeno Sherry

Ingredients

1 cup		chopped onion
1 tsp		olive oil
2 cloves		minced garlic
2 tsp		ground cumin
½ lb		black beans
1 qt		water or chicken stock
½ cup		sherry
1		fresh jalapeno pepper seeded
½ tsp		salt
		additional water or stock as needed
1 cup		fat-free sour cream (optional)

Directions

Gently sweat the onion with the oil in a covered soup pot until the onion begins to soften. Add the garlic and cumin, stirring, for a few seconds.

Add the beans, water or stock, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, covering the pot partially.

When they are tender, purée desired amount of the beans. Recombine with the remaining whole beans.

In a second pan, simmer the sherry with the peppers for 5 minutes. Strain into the soup, discarding peppers.

Add salt, and additional liquid if needed. Serve hot, garnished, if desired, with dollops of the sour cream.

Recipe courtesy of the Destination Spa Group and Lake Austin Spa Resort.

NEW - Wake Up & Smell the Coffee

Over-indulged this holiday season? Kick start the New Year with our new coffee infusion treatment.

Packed with antioxidants, coffee also fights cellulite and acne, diminishes signs of sun damage, deodorizes and moisturizes the skin.

Begin with an awakening Espresso and Dead Sea Salt Body Polish to reveal fresh glowing skin, followed by a Vanilla Latte Massage to soothe tired muscles and quench the skin.

Finish with our aromatic Mocha Pedicure and your choice of specialty coffee.

Approx 2hr $155 CDN

Reserve here or call 1.250.468.2404 or 1.888.441.4442.

Valentine's Day at AquaTerre

A day at the spa is the perfect gift for your sweetie this Valentine's Day. At AquaTerre, an excellent selection of chocolate treatments, our solid granite soaker tub and private treatment rooms can all be the start of something special.

Chose from one of our signature packages below or talk to one of our expert spa staff and plan a customized romantic gift.

Rekindle the Romance
The complete chocolate experience for couples. A spa lunch for two is followed by chocolate massages and chocolate body scrubs. Then slip into a chocolate milk bath for two with chocolate martinis, truffles and ingredients to play in our solid granite soaker tub.

$365 CDN

Tub for Two
Relax side by side in our signature couples massage and soak. Your session begins with a candlelit room with a one hour side by side aromatherapy massage. Retire to our lounge and enjoy a light spa cuisine. An invigorating aromatherapy exfoliation is to follow. Complete this romantic journey with a candlelight rose petal soak in our hand carved granite relaxation tub. Champagne and truffles add to this unforgettable experience.

2½ hrs $350 CDN

Chocolate Mousse Body Wrap
An invigorating chocolate scrub is applied to buff and polish the skin leaving a healthy glow. Next a warm body mousse is applied and you are cocooned with a warm blanket to maximize the effects of the product. Imagine yourself totally immersed in a fat free chocolate indulgence that produces a slimming effect on the body while revitalizing and nourishing the skin.

$95 CDN

Chocolate Massage
Our intoxicating chocolate massage oil along with our Swedish massage with create complete relaxation, allowing your body to release tension and relieve stress.

1 hr $98 CDN
1½ hr $138 CDN

Reserve here or call 1.250.468.2404 or 1.888.441.4442.