Refresh and Renew: Skin Regimen and Glen Ivy #fastlivingslowagaing

You all know that I love Glen Ivy Hot Springs. It is the perfect place to refresh and recharge and "treat yo' self". I've started to realize how important self-care is to our overall health and since my return to Glen Ivy back in November, I've begun making self-care a priority in my daily life. It's not easy! I love taking care of and serving others and it brings me a lot of joy. However, I am realizing that if I don't care for myself, I'm less effective in all other areas of my life.

{FAST LIVING - SLOW AGING}

On my most recent visit to Glen Ivy Hot Springs I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Claudia Aguirre, in connection with Comfort Zone Skin Care, share with us about stress, aging, skin care, health and longevity. She is neuroscientist and skin care expert and she shared with us how our skin is a mirror or window of our mental well being and physical state. So we need to take care of all aspects of our self, manage stress, and get more sleep!!

The Skin Regimen line of skin care, created by Comfort Zone, is clinically proven to reduce the effects of stress and lifestyle aging on both skin and mind. Since our lifestyle affects the speed of our skin and mind aging, Skin Regimen formulas target the most common stress-related signs to restore the optimal conditions for healthier, glowing skin.

{LONGEVITY SOLUTION FACIAL}

Glen Ivy Hot Springs uses the Skin Regimen line in their Longevity Solution Facial and it is AMAZING! This revolutionary treatment rejuvenates the revitalizes the skin with a gentle lactic acid peel along with specialized deep and focused massage techniques. The facial softens wrinkles, plumps your complexion, and your skin feels vibrant and energized.

This was my first facial EVER and I didn't know what to expect. My esthetician explained to me what she would be doing during the facial and highlighted all the benefits the facial would offer to my skin. It was AMAZING! and I enjoyed every minute of it. She used the Skin Regimen line of products and I loved the natural ingredients and the aromas each product offers. She also asked if I had any skin care concerns and offered advice and products that could help with my issues.

The Microalgae Essence was one of the products used during the facial and it smells so good!! I use it on a daily basis now and it helps to keep my skin balanced with optimal hydration.

She also suggested that I add the Retinal Booster to my weekly skin care routine. She said it would help with the monthly breakouts on my chin. She recommended that I used 2-3 times per week for a an intensive renewing action.

{THE SOLE FOCUS MASSAGE}

My mom has always told me that the feet are a gateway to the rest of the body and the Sole Focus Massage at Glen Ivy focuses on the idea that full body relaxation can be achieved by focusing on the feet. For a full 50 minutes the massage therapist uses Zone Therapy and Skin Regimen lotions and oils to improve circulation, calm the mind, and relieve tension throughout the entire body.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Sole Focus Massage. I've had reflexology massages before, but this was so much more! I have chronic pain in my feet because of plantar fasciitis and the Sole Focus Massage not only helped my feet to feel awesome, but the rest of me felt pampered and relaxed too. I highly recommend it - especially if a full body massage isn't your thing. With the Sole Focus Massage you get all the benefits of massage and you get to keep your clothes on!

{ENJOY THE DAY}
Come for the Longevity Facial or Sole Focus Massage and stay for a full day of relaxation. You'll want to make sure you have enough time in your day to receive your special body and/or facial treatments and be able to enjoy Glen Ivy's 19 different pools, Club Mud, steam rooms and outdoor saunas. You won't regret treating yourself to a full day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs!

Celebrate at Glen Ivy Hot Springs + #GIVEAWAY

Ever since I first visited Glen Ivy Hot Springs back when I was teaching second grade and days at the spa were easy to come by, I've wanted to take my mom with me to enjoy all the ammenities Glen Ivy has to offer. However, something always seemed to come up and we never made it . . . until this year!! All the stars aligned and she was able to be in town for my 39th birthday in March and we decided that we needed a day at the spa to celebrate. She had seen my "me party" visit back in November and insisted that we spend a day at Glen Ivy getting pampered.

{TAKING THE WATERS}
Taking the Waters admission gives you full all-day access to Glen Ivy's 19 different pools, Club Mud, steam rooms, outdoor saunas, and use of the Bath House. I love all the different pools and they all offer relaxation and healing properties. I made my mom start the day at my favorite set of pools - the Hydrotherapy Pools!!! Switching between the hot and cold plunge pools (from 102 degrees down to 55 degrees) charges your immune system, flushes out toxins, and reboots your circulation.
It is a must do while you're at Glen Ivy!

{THE MINERAL BATHS}
These five mineral water plunge pools are the therapeutic hot spot of Glen Ivy. The pools hover around 104 degrees and the minerals, along with the heat, relax and ease stiff muscles. If you are visiting The Grotto that day, you will want to visit the Mineral Baths first for a good soak to open up your pores.

{CLUB MUD}

After your soak in the Mineral Baths, but before your visit to The Grotto, you visit Club Mud! You'll want to make sure that you are wearing a dark (or old) swimming suit because the California red clay can stain lighter colored swimming suits. Be sure to bring your camera so you can snap some fun pictures while you're covered from head to toe in red clay!!

The red clay is infused with the Glen Ivy mineral water and creates a silky soft paste. Club Mud is definitely more fun with friends! I totally enjoyed it when I visited by myself back in November, but it was so fun to slather my Mom with mud and bake in the sun together. We also spent a little bit of time in the warm Wafa cave to get extra dry.

Clay is an awesome exfoliator and is known to draw impurities from the body. If you are enjoying Club Mud before your visit to The Grotto, be sure to allow yourself ample time to let your mud dry before you have to wash off. The dried mud is what exfoliates your skin so well! It's also helpful to have a friend to make sure you don't leave any mud in any hard to reach spots!

{THE GROTTO}
After you've opened up your pores in the Mineral Baths and exfoliated in Club Mud, it's time to moisturize at The Grotto. What I love about The Grotto is it's a body treatment you can enjoy with friends! Again, I did this by myself back when I visited in November, but it was a lot more fun with my Mom! 

First, you descend in the elevator down into the subterranean cave and you're painted head to toe with a warm aloe vera, coconut oil, eucalyptus and lavender masque. It smells heavenly! Then, you enter the heated cavern where the silky smooth treatment can further soak into your skin as your body heats up and your pores open. My mom and I had so much fun chatting with one another and with a few of the other guests enjoying The Grotto for the first time. It really is a fun social experience!

{LUNCH AT IVY KITCHEN}
Chef Micah Severeid classifies the Ivy Kitchen's cuisine as "healthy, Mexi-Cali with a coastal twist", but I just classify it as delicious!!! Seriously. If you are spending the day at Glen Ivy you will definitely get hungry and the Ivy Kitchen has so many amazing options to satisfy your hunger. Chef Micah has added 30 new dishes since the chic little restaurant got a make-over and there is something for everyone.

The other thing amazing thing about the cuisine at the Ivy Kitchen is that is beautifully plated and put together. Chef Micah believes that you eat with your eyes before you eat, so he feels passionately that the presentation of each of the Ivy Kitchen's dishes looks as delicious as it tastes. He has even created a whole new Twilight Menu for the weekend summer nights . . . baby back ribs, anyone??

And if you've been to Glen Ivy before and were worried that because the Ivy Kitchen got an upgraded menu that the famous Chicken Nachos disappeared, never fear! The Chicken Nachos are still here!! They got their own upgrade and are just as delicious as ever!! WARNING! The small is HUGE! I shared mine with my mom because I was like, whoa! That's a lot of nachos!

They are literally amazing and they even got their own upgrade! They are now made with organic tortilla chips, locally-farmed chicken, and freshly-prepared melted cheese. There is so much flavor in that nacho bowl that I dream of them at night sometimes.

{THE LOUNGE 1860}

Debuting in January 2018 The Lounge 1860 offers refreshing cocktails and libations under a beautiful open-air wooden gazebo. It's Glen Ivy's new, all-day place to get cocktails, wine or beer. Since I don't drink alchohol, I didn't try anything, but my friends have raved about the Lounge's offerings. Plus, it's a gorgeous place to hang out! It even has a chandelier! I bet it looks gorgeous alll lit up when Glen Ivy is open for Twilight Evenings starting May 3rd

{THE CHILL ZONE}

If you're looking for a little refreshment during your day at Glen Ivy, then you need to pop over to The Chill Zone! They are blending up a wide variety of organic fruit and vegetables into delicious drinks and smoothies.

Look at the color on the Sweet Tart smoothie! It was delicious and it was the perfect thing to sip on and relax in the sun after our pampering in The Grotto. The Chill Zone also has frozen yogurt, so I will be checking that out on my next visit!

{THE END OF AN AMAZING DAY}

Spending my birthday with my mom at Glen Ivy was a dream come true and a long time coming! It was the perfect way to relax and catch up with my mom, who lives out of state. I would highly recommend celebrating any happy event (ie birthday, engagement, wedding, anniversary) at Glen Ivy with your bestie! There's nothing that bonds you better than smothering one another in the red clay mud at Club Mud!

I highly recommend staying until as close to the end of the day as you can. It gets quieter, there are less people and you can soak in the Vista Pool and enjoy the view while you sip on your Chill Zone smoothie. The perfect ending to the perfect day.

{GIVEAWAY}
I am so excited to be able to giveaway a day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs to one lucky reader!!! You will win TWO WEEKDAYS ADMISSIONS for YOU and A FRIEND! Enter below and good luck!
(P.S. I am always glad to be a friend ! Ha! ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Treat Yourself to a Day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs #WinterIsWarmer

Long before I had children, in the days of free time and pampering, I visited Glen Ivy Hot Springs on several occasions with my friends and I fell in love. I promised that I would return to this hidden mecca in the foothills of Corona at least once a year and just take some time for me. Well, fast forward from 2003 to 2017 and I realized I hadn't keep that promise to myself. It was definitely time for a "Me party" and a day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs.

Glen Ivy was established in 1860 and stretches across 12 acres at the base of the Santa Ana Mountain Range. There are 19 pools and whirlpools to enjoy - including the historic mineral bath. In addition to the plethora of pools there are also saunas, steam rooms, showers, fitness classes and a variety of individual spa treatments.

{THE GLEN IVY POOLS}

Taking the Waters Admission gives you full all-day access to Glen Ivy's lush gardens, ample lounge areas, and the healing waters of the 19 pools. The pools are the perfect way to relax and treat whatever ails you. They are spread across the property so you can find your own little niche and corner of the Hot Springs and relax however you'd like.

One of my favorite experiences at Glen Ivy is dipping into the Hot and Cold Cycle Pools for some good old fashioned hydrotherapy. The Hot Pool is about 102 degrees and the Cold Pool is around 55 to 65 degrees. First, you enjoy the Hot Pool for about five minutes and then you quickly, but carefully, switch for a plunge into the Cold Pool for 45-60 seconds. Whoa mama is it invigorating! You repeat up to five times to enjoy all the benefits of the hydrotherapy.

There are also the sulfurous MINERAL BATHS that hover at 104 degrees, the LAP POOL, the VISTA POOL, and the SALINE POOL. It is so nice at the end of the day to relax in the VISTA POOL with the view of the mountains and let the mineral spring waters help stimulate the immune system. The SALINE POOL is a warm Epsom salt infused waters that relax the nervous system, alleviate skin problems, soothe muscles and draw toxins from the body.

{CLUB MUD}

Another amenity that is included in your Taking the Waters Admission is CLUB MUD!!! It is a must do when you're planning your day at Glen Ivy. The red clay is formed by using dry powder clay that is found in the local Temescal Valley and is mixed with Glen Ivy's naturally occurring mineral water.

Not only is the red clay fun to lather all over your body, but it has several therapeutic benefits. The Club Mud red clay draws impurities and toxins from the pores and is a natural exfoliant. It removes dead skin cells while firming and revitalizing the skin. It's also fun to enjoy with a friend or two so they can help you get that mud all over.

After you've put the mud all over, then you can either dry out in the sun or in the Wafa - Club Mud's special drying chamber. As it dries, them mud becomes dry and powdery. Then, you brush off the majority of it and shower off the remaining mud in the outdoor Club Mud showers. Glen Ivy's own lavender-eucalyptus scented Soothing Body Cleansing Gel is provided to help you get mud-free again.

Insider Tip: Be sure to wear an old swimsuit or one that is dark in color as the red clay mud can stain.

{THE GROTTO}

After you've had your fun mudding it up at CLUB MUD, one of the best things to follow-up with is a visit to THE GROTTO. This is one of Glen Ivy's signature spa treatments and does require an appointment and fee, so be sure to book your visit to The Grotto before you arrive. During your visit to The Grotto you will be covered in a neck-to-toe body masque of hydrating aloe vera, coconut oil, shea butter, eucalyptus and lavender.

After your Grotto attendant has applied your masque, you'll head into the warm Hydration Chamber where the masque works its magic on your skin. You can stay in there as long as you'd like and that's why the Grotto is a fun experience to have with friends. You can move through the four chambers of The Grotto together. After your time in the the Hydration Chamber, it's time to shower off and then relax in the restoring Cool Chamber with refreshments. 

Although this wasn't my first visit to Glen Ivy Hot Springs, it was my first visit to THE GROTTO. My skin was so silky smooth after my treatment and I smelled so good! I would definitely enjoy a trip to The Grotto again!

{GOOD FOOD}

If you spend the day at Glen Ivy having a Me Party like I did, chances are you're going to get HUNGRY! Both the Ivy Kitchen and the GOCO Cafe serve healthy, nourishing and delicious food. The food is procured from Glen Ivy's own organic farm and other local farms and markets. This way your food is fresh and sustainable!

During my most recent visit to Glen Ivy, I enjoyed lunch from the Ivy Kitchen. There are salads, sandwiches and flatbread pizzas to choose from. There are also the Glen Ivy nachos that everyone swears are the best nachos you'll ever have. I was tempted to have them, but I settled on the Roasted Turkey Panini with Pesto because I was craving some bacon and fresh fruit. 

I  couldn't beat my view for lunch - it was lovely. And since the winter months aren't as busy at Glen Ivy, it was quiet and almost like I had the entire hot springs to myself - especially later in the afternoon. Next time I go back, I will definitely be trying the nachos and taking in this view.

The GOCO Cafe serves Starbucks and other healthy, delectable drinks and food. All of their food is made fresh daily.

{PLAN YOUR DAY}

So, now that you've seen how amazing a day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs is, it's time to pick a day and treat your self! Winter is definitely a wonderful time to visit because there are no crowds, the weather in Corona is temperate during the day, and there are great specials and deals!

 Right now you can enjoy the RELAX AND GLOW package to get the most out of your day at Glen Ivy. Book any 2 services (valued at $100 or more) and receive admission and robe for the day for $25 weekdays/$35 weekends. You can also add a Grotto Treatment for just $20.

There is also the WINTER WARM-UP package to help you escape the holiday hustle. Available now through January 31, 2018 you start your day with a cup of hot coco and a cookie from GOCO Cafe, then indulge in a 50 minute spa service of your choice. Later, enjoy the moisturizing benefits of The Grotto Moisturizing treatment. Then, spend the rest of the day soaking in the 19 pools and partying in Club Mud all while bundled up in your cozy Glen Ivy plush robe rental. You can pre-book your Winter Warm-Up package for just $159 Monday through Friday only.

My Me Party day at Glen Ivy was magical, restorative and much needed. Especially at this time of year with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, two kids with birthdays, and being pulled in all directions by different commitments, it can be an overwhelming time of year. It was nice to take a day, relax, and treat myself to all the wonderful things that Glen Ivy has to offer. I highly suggest it and can attest that Winter is Warmer at Glen Ivy Hot Springs - and more fun!

If you'd like to know more about the SPA TREATMENTS offered by Glen Ivy be sure to visit their website and find the one that is perfect for you. I have my eye on the WARM STONE RITUAL MASSAGE for my next visit!