"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live."

- Flora Whittemore

welcoming a new season

i've been doing alot of healthy cleaning out these day - cancelled my gym membership, cleared out clutter, bought incredible cookware, connecting with purposeful women, began the Artist's Way exercises and started a steady yoga practice (to help me focus!).

for me autumn is the time where i establish rituals that boost my spirit. try practicing awareness by looking at what you do daily to nourish your soul. take an afternoon walk, turn off the radio in the car, block out whatever time you can - 15 min, 5 min, 30 min to tune out life's noise. this Fall and Winter establish a routine - sign up for yoga classes, go on mini retreat, go to the museums and continue to make room to connect to others. the key is not to let your spirits dampen because of these shorter, darker days. as my laughter guru says 'motion creates emotion'. get up and do something if you start feeling depressed or down. you'll be better able to adapt to the wisdom these darker days can bring!

my splurge of the year

i splurged today on a new kitchen item. i purchased 2 all-clad stainless steel french skillets from williams-sonoma my favorite cooking store. they are my beautiful and shiny pieces of delights, at the moment at least. tonight, i sauteed fresh farmer's market veggies in the skillet and wild caught steelhead salmon. it's amazing how a simple object like a skillet inspired cooking and healthy eating. i think it's the change in season. i go through these strange inspirations. at least it's a healthy one and not related to shoes!

what's your splurging inspiration?

how many other people donate to their gym

today i finally cancelled my gym membership. well, cancelled my donation to the gym. huge relief it was to sign on the line. it's just one of those things that suited me uh maybe 15 yrs ago and for some reason hadn't let go of but had always wanted to. maybe because saying 'i go to the gym' made me feel healthy and fit. twisted isn't it. not anymore. today i celebrate.

when i lived on the east coast, had a corporate job and shoveled snow, the gym seemed to suit me and my schedule. not only do i live in santa barbara where I enjoy the outdoors all year round, but my lifestyle has changed, my needs have changed, and my interests have changed. likely so for someone who prefers being in nature with muse or on a yoga mat.

do you have something that maybe served you during the times you did it but your gut has been telling you that you no longer need it? a new season is a great time to take stock of what's working for you and what's not. take time to think what that is for you and remove that clutter in your life for better things to come!

herbal fix for your cold/sinuses

i'm offically over my cold! here's my secret weapon to help me get through it. put a dash of the tub tea infused with spearmint and eucalyptus into a pot of boiling water.

slowly breathe in the purifying steam for your sinuses and give yourself a steam facial at the same time!

Bath by Bettijo Tub Tea, $23

taking in the mineral baths at sycamore springs

yesterday my husband and i took a relaxing day driving up the coast. first stop 30 min north to firestone brewery (most known for their wines). i've always wanted to stop there along hwy 101. lemme just say that the game of darts was more appealing than the food and service.

another hour up the coast brought us to sycamore mineral springs resort. truly an oasis tucked between sycamore trees and the ocean at avila beach. my body being out of sorts with the flu the past week welcomed the hour mineral bath soak. we walked up the hill to the furthest tub called the shagri-la and the most private to a beautiful setting that couldn't be anymore perfect.

after just a 30 min soak i felt rejuvenated and my sinuses were clear. so many benefits of a mineral bath include... healing properties found in sulfur compounds. the hydrogen sulfide gas (that stinky smell) is known to be a powerful antibacterial agent, which stimulates the body's mucus membranes. Inhaling the sulfur is known to soothe the respiratory system and be calming to the skin not to mention the detoxification from the long soak. we're heading back at least once a month!

If you happen to be long the central ca coast, stop by for a mineral bath. no clothing required. it's a truly magical natural setting. don't forget to walk the labrynth for a calm to take you over the edge of tranquility!

are you this statistic?

Hello again Spahhh Talk readers!

I'm back after a blog break. Taking care of business you can say and got hit by the flu bug this past week. On the track to feeling great again though.

I heard on the radio tonight that 80% of employees don't like what they do. They dread going to work. I had a feeling it was high but wow that's huge. That's too many unhappy stressed people going through the motions for a paycheck. I used to be there and definitely know how that feels for 3 yrs of being employed at jobs that didn't feed my spirit. It was awful. The other years prior were great I'd have to say.

Now the good news is... Enthusiasm is contagious! So now that I have my newfound enthusiasm back after being on my own, i hope you're feeling the love i have for wanting to see you do what inspires you. Take that step to do what you've always wanted to do and find the way. Decide what it is and go for it. That'll make one less stressed out person creatively shaping and taking control of their lives.

All the best.

Maria

italian spa reviews

Going to Italy any time soon?

Read Melissa's first hand spa experiences around Italy and be inspired by her beautiful photos too!
Tres Mesi in Italia

spa reviews by spa defined

DE's Glow! writer, Melissa, reports on spas in the santa barbara area. don't forget to peek into her reviews esp if you're in the area. it's the perfect local spa resource.

Spa Defined

stock update - comfort essentials

a few changes in the coming month... we'll be phasing out part of our most popular comfort essentials line.

foot mules and body wraps will be retiring by mid-Oct. if you've been eyeing them for a while, pls plan on purchasing by mid-Oct.

we'll also have a limited fabric selection of eye pillows and neck wraps. if you mention this blog post, you'll receive 10% off but you must write in the comments section at checkout so we know to discount your purchase.

stay well.

laughter is great medicine

in middle school i got an award for the best giggler. i had so much to laugh about. then as i got older i laughed less. the good news is i still have it in me...did you know if you laugh for just 15 minutes a day it'll keep your blood going with the flow increasing oxygen throughout the body and brain thereby giving you more energy and increases circulation.

make it a point to laugh at least 15 min a day... laugh with friends, co-workers, your family or join a laughter club in your area. my husband sometimes finds me laughing with myself and muse!

go to the laughter yoga site to search for a teacher in your area...

Anita Rodick passes away

Anita Roddick, activist, entrepreneur, visionary and founder of the Body Shop, passed away Monday. I was so saddened to hear the news. What a full and inspiring life she's led!

She's important to me because she's a huge part of me launching De-Stress Essentials last year. I came across her book, Business As Unusual, and it moved me to action. Anita made many contributions... to the environment (sustainable organic body care), human rights, animal rights, self-esteem in women, community trade, her campaigning was endless and self-less. She worked with indegenous people to bring about community fair trade practices. She risked her life many time in the jungles. Wow what a trailblazer.

What I admire about her is that she founded a business with heart and passion, unheard of in the 70's, esp for women. Well, today I can't help but be reminded where my inpsirations come from. She is a unique spirit and she has left behind so much to be grateful for.

More books by Anita Roddick:
Body and Soul: Profits with Principles
Take it Personally
A Revolution in Kindness