Preparing our Body Mind & minds for Winter

Preparing our Bodies & Minds for Winter

Traditionally fall is a busy time. Schools reopen and the holidays are rushing in. Even the gusts of wind and falling leaves create a sense of urgency.

Preparing our Bodies

I have always found wisdom in the Ayurvedic teachings. Interestingly, Ayurvedic medicine addresses the change in seasons through diet and exercise. It seems that what is good for us to eat is what nature is currently ripening on the vine. Squash, pumpkins, nuts, carrots, and apples just to name a few. Root vegetables are cooked with spicy seasonings designed to improve digestion and ground us emotionally. Squash Stew is a personal favorite of mine.

Indian Squash Stew

Preparing our Minds

We take care of our bodies by choosing healthy foods and the next step is to pair a healthy diet with exercise. Choose something that works for you and goal to make it a daily routine. My favorite is Veterans Park in Monterey. The trail starts with a 184 step ascent and includes beautiful vistas of the ocean framed by Monterey Pine. The steep hills burn calories and clear my mind. As we move our bodies the lymphatic system starts pumping and our breathing becomes more rhythmic and within a short time the body and mind become integrated. We enter a state of mind open to creative solutions that can dramatically change the way we view our problems. I do not ever remember this technique failing me.

Preparing our Skin

Self-care also includes lotions and potions! The fall wind and sudden change in weather often cause dry skin and wind-chapped lips. The spa’s popular Lip Balm by Image Skincare gives your lips instant and lasting relief with a soothing hydrating gel. The fragile skin around our eyes also suffers with this traditionally dry season. Suddenly when we look in the mirror we see an array of new fine lines! The best eye balm for fine lines is from SkinCeuticals. Just a minuscule amount of this lush creamy balm will reduce wrinkles and leave your eyes protected and hydrated. Ask one of our estheticians what is best suited for you and find out why we have been consistently voted Best Skincare in Monterey County.

Staying beautiful with healthy and effective skin care. Image Skincare at Spa on the Plaza.

Self-care at Spa on the Plaza

Of course one of the best things you can do for yourself is to book a massage at the spa. I recommend going slowly by coming early and taking advantage of a private steam and our Wellness Room. We offer a Spa Premiere Package which includes champagne, truffles and more. Make your visit to the spa not just a massage but a mini-vacation.

Relax and enjoy the season and the festivities ahead and don’t forget to check out our amazing Autumn Specials!

Times are changing

When Spa on the Plaza opened in August of 1997, we were the first spa in Monterey County. Coming from Big Sur, where we opened a luxury spa at The Post Ranch Inn, which became a world-class destination resort, I had many ideas about bringing a “healing oasis” to the heart of Monterey.  The intention was to create a harmonious environment with beautiful, original art, calming colors, and the best in caring customer service. The spa was very successful and was voted Best in Monterey County 15 times. During this time, we remodeled twice, changing our decor from the rich earth colors of Big Sur Zen to the calming blues colors of the ocean and seashells. We also expanded our massage room from 5 to 10 and added additional relaxation areas.

Everything changed on March 17th when we shut down the spa in response to an unprecedented worldwide event.  COVID changed everything, and like many, we were left with fear, confusion, and hope it would be for a relatively short duration. Only to realize later that we were in this for the long haul. I spent days, then weeks filling out grant applications, doing yoga, going for long walks, and reflecting on my life. Finally, I began to ask myself the changes I need to make within myself and how these changes can be further reflected at the spa?

COVID made me revisit all my ingrained assumptions about how to manage the spa. We had to adapt and make any changes. We now operate with fewer clients and have more time in between appointments.  We created an additional private relaxation area. Pre COVID, we were open 7 days a week. Now we are open 5 days a week, Thursday through Monday. The pace is slower, the hours are fewer, and the spa feels more spacious. We decided to maintain these hours even after COVID. Even a business needs to rest two days a week.The best part of reopening was the predominant feelings of gratitude, joy, and relief to see each other and our clients. We are all so grateful to be offering a service badly needed after so many of us have been isolated during COVID. People especially need healing touch right now, and we feel truly honored to offer this service to the community.

BE OPEN

Be open for something wonderful to happen. Be open to the possibilities. Somehow this simple phrase became my mantra during COVID. There is has been plenty to worry about during these difficult times, and we are each experiencing our own unique problems. Some days seemed very dark and scary but as my mother used to say misery is an easy slippery slope. Resilience on the other hand takes discipline and practice. My optimistic mantra allowed me to shift my perspective from what was terrible to what is wonderful. Be open for something wonderful to happen, be open to the possibilities. This simple phrase, borrowed from a simple song changed my life.

One of the happy surprises from COVID is the sense of yawning time. After years of to-do lists, my days took on a spaciousness I used to only dream about. There was deep fatigue from the decades of “get up and go.” How nourishing it is to bake in the kitchen or sit in the sunshine in my garden and watch the flowers grow. I especially loved getting to know the birds, the squirrels, and the new hawk in the neighborhood. Oh yes and the dear deer family that often grazes on the flowers in my front yard. In the daily bustle of work to be done, I was oblivious to all these wonders

One of my favorite activities is community dance. When COVID hit and all the dance halls shut down it was a huge loss for me. Some of us decided to move the dance to a nearby park and limit the group to six, practiced social distancing, and wore masks. I was surprised by the dizzying array of new sensations and unexpected delights. Because the dance was moved earlier we danced during the sunset which was always spectacular. Nature became part of the dance. It included the breeze on my face and the feel of the grass under my feet.

Dance into the days. This was the early days naively removing our masks for a photo op.

Afterward, we spread out blankets and gathered for an outdoor picnic and a glass of wine. Often we talked late into the night. There was a deep intimacy and satisfaction when I reflect on these times. Our relationships became stronger and deeper and we rediscovered the joy of picnicking with friends in the park. COVID changed dance but because we were open to new possibilities there were many happy surprises.

Self-Care During Covid

Camille’s Selfcare Toolkit

Make a list. Coronavirus has upended our lives, leaving many us at a loss on how to fill our days. We can choose between dissolving on the couch, watching Amazon while nibbling on our favorite sin, or stepping up to the challenge by imposing our own routine. The best way to do this is to start your day with a list. If I make a list, not only do I create structure, but I accomplish tasks and feel better at the end of the day. It might include exercise, writing in your journal, or finally cleaning out that closet. It feels great at the end of the day to see all the checkmarks through your to-do list! Warning, try not to make it too long. Limit your list to 3-6 items, so it is moderately easy to accomplish.

Facial Massage. Although you cannot visit one of our talented estheticians at Spa on the Plaza, you can treat yourself to a facial at home. The Lymphatic Japanese Facial Massage is one of my favorite techniques for firming facial muscles and improving circulation. The method reduces puffiness and tones the facial muscles.

It also improves circulation, which leaves your skin looking vibrant. When we train the spa’s estheticians, we use this video and ask them to practice it on themselves home. If you do this every day for 3 days, you will see the difference. Never underestimate the value of good facial massage. Women have been using this technique in Japan taught from mother to daughter for centuries. Enjoy!

Celery Juice. Ayurveda medicine teaches that all good health starts with the gut. If you want to improve digestion, detoxify your liver and boost your immune system, drink 8 oz. to 16 oz. of celery juice in the morning 30 minutes before you eat. My digestion loves it, and its effect is to diminish unhealthy food cravings.

It is delicious and will reduce unhealthy food cravings and brighten your eyes and skin. Watch this video on celery juicing to help motivate you.

Reflection. Like many women, I juggled child-rearing with a career and somewhere in-between finished a Master’s Degree. The wheels have been turning for a long time, and on a deep level, I feel tired. Suddenly I am being forced to take a break, and there is a part of me that is glad. Today I heard the birds sing, and I wondered how many times my busy mind shut out their beautiful songs. So my lesson during this time is to slow down and listen. Take the time to ask this question for yourself, and maybe you will find a too will find a gift in these challenging times.

Beauty from the Inside Out

Camille Health Guru/ Spa Owner/ Blogger

There is a big difference between superficial beauty and beauty from the inside out. We know this intuitively but our culture celebrates the young and beautiful which can make us feel inadequate. At Spa on the Plaza, we understand true beauty is seen in the serenity of expression and in the clarity of one’s eyes. Beauty is a state of mind and not the standard reflected by the photoshopped models we see on the cover of magazines.

This sentiment is the underlying principle of Spa on the Plaza’s mission statement.

“At Spa on the Plaza, we understand that your spa experience should nurture on many levels.

Although these words may seem simple they are implying that healing and well being happen on multiple dimensions. It is not just about an excellent massage or expensive potions, it is about the genuine smile of our employees, the beautiful and serene ambiance, the impeccable housekeeping, the relaxing music and the delectable scent of essential oils wafting through the air.

We recently took this concept further in January 2019 we opened the Wellness Center at Spa on the Plaza. We offer workshops and detox programs to support women because if one wants beauty from the inside out we need to pay attention to what we eat, what we do, what we think and who we spend our time with. We just published our Wellness Calendar on our website. I encourage you to sign up early for these exciting wellness workshops. Check out next years calendar and join us for new beginnings and new friendships at Spa on the Plaza.

6-MINDFUL PRACTICES

I am preparing to host the next Women’s Wellness Circle at Spa on the Plaza’s Wellness Center, and so I am starting by taking a personal inventory. I am focusing my attention daily to six mindful practices. I wrote them on a notepad on my desk, and periodically contemplate what they mean to me and how I am integrating them into my life. These simple practices are designed to cultivate more balance in my spiritual, emotional and physical body. I want to begin with the first three.

Sit in Silence

If I sit quietly for 5 to 15 minutes, it changes my day! I am more grounded, gentler, more precise in my movements and slower in my responses which allows me to respond to loved ones and co-workers more thoughtfully. There is an illusion that speed saves time instead we often waste time with rushed actions that result in workmanship beneath our abilities and ultimately costs more time and money. Slow down, breath see the person in front of you, listen to them and be still.

Body Experience 

Choose your own medicine but one of my favorite ways to get in touch with my body is through dance. I am passionate about Conscious Dance, in particular, Soul Motion. Soul Motion views dance as a birthright and a creative expression for everyone. It is inclusive and fun. Many forms of dance similar to Soul Motion are practiced in cities all over the country. Here on the Monterey Peninsula, we have Dance Jam every Friday night at 8:00 for over 20 years at the historic Chautauqua Hall in Pacific Grove.

Space

Cultivating space is surprisingly a new concept for me. Most of my meditations are simply the observation of my busy mind. Space or emptiness are rarely experienced. I think space is openness and a state of mind without boundaries which is receptive to new ideas. The only time I really experience space is when I stop and look up into the vast expanse of the sky.  Our choir sings a song called Most Beautiful Sky that expresses this feeling perfectly and helps me move into a spacious sense of being. Afterward, I experience greater acceptance and joy of what is. Wide open to new experiences including love, abundance, insight and much more.

The Wellness Center at Spa on the Plaza

The Wellness Center at Spa on the Plaza is based on the premise that real beauty comes through health and well being. Many of us in an effort to keep up with our demanding jobs and family responsibilities feel depleted and have lost the skill of self-care. The Wellness Center is designed to help you get your health back on track. With this in mind, we created a support network and two Wellness Packages.

Both programs take a holistic,  integrative approach to weight loss. Jen Seregos, our talented health coach, gives each participant a complimentary health assessment in order to determine what type

of program resonates with them. We offer the  Kick Start Day Package for those interested in a health reboot. It can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Its focus is on health, massage, and fun! Activities include a kayaking tour.

 

We also offer the more intensive 6-Week Challenge. The 6 Week Challenge includes a Woman’s Circle that meets weekly to relax, share and receive support. The circle also includes weekly guest speakers from different healing modalities. Theme nights include vegan pie night, mindset practices, Kundalini yoga and more.

Additional amenities include full access to the spa’s steam rooms, pool,  jacuzzi and of course massage. Please call us at 831-647-9000 for a complimentary consultation with Jen Seregos if you are inspired to take the challenge.

 

 

The Power of Receiving

Fall on the Monterey Peninsula is beautiful. The lighting has a softer hue with a golden tint. A hush comes over nature as the wild things prepare for winter. The seals are fat and happy on the beaches and position themselves to absorb the maximum sunlight before the cold of winter descends. The humans too feel the change after the kids go back to school and families get back to our fall routines.

At the Spa there is also a shift. Our clients  are usually tired after a fun summer of family and adventure in which they were usually responsible for the planning, the organization and the serving for large family gatherings and oh yes the endless clean up. It is a bitter sweet time. Joyful but sometimes exhausting as there is little time for being alone or experiencing self reflection.

As a massage therapist I often see this fatigue and I witness the energetic transformation as my client slips into a position of receiving. This is a deep, nurturing place, rarely encountered in our busy, linear lives. At the Spa we recognize that this attention and deep focus have the ability to heal and it is for this very reason that most of us enter the profession.  The beautiful spa amenities, soft music, and artwork  gently hold the space as the therapist’ healing touch and deep listening take the client into an altered state of peace and tranquility.

With these thoughts in mind I designed several specialty Spa Packages promising to induce these deep states of relaxation.

Stressless Massage 80 min. 155.00

This relaxing massage focuses on stress points on the back, feet and neck. Steamy hot towels are applied and includes fine essential oils to alleviate tension.

LED/ Microcurrent Facial & Oxygen Therapy80 mins $175.00

Vitamin C&E Serum Concentrate Micro-current, LED infrared light and concentrated oxygen are a potent trio when it comes to revitalizing sun damaged skin cells .

4 Tips for Staying Young

Move your body. It’s not just about burning calories, it’s about changing your self image. Am I a sedentary person prone to weight gain or an active person with a healthy lifestyle? How we see ourselves determines what we do.  My rule of thumb is that it takes three months of daily exercise before your workout begins to be anticipated instead of dreaded.

Stay Green. Eat a  plant based diet. Vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts are packed full of nutrients. When your body gets essential vitamins and minerals,  unhealthy cravings naturally begin to diminish. Add savory treats like avocado, olives, and smoked salmon to your salads to make them interesting and more satisfying. Carbohydrates, meat and fats shouldn’t comprise more than 30% of your diet! See the glow come back to your skin and watch your weight easily drop off if you choose these simple dietary choices.

Nature. Commune daily with nature.  Breathe the fresh air, hear the birds and feel the breeze. We literally become more grounded when we spend time in nature, unplugged from technology. The peace in nature allows time for reflection and cultivates discernment which is a key ingredient to a successful life. I call it a fifteen minute nature bath. Find your oasis and visit it daily.

Camille and The Whole Hearted Choir

Find a Passion. I recently heard a psychologist explain that humans are herd animals and our isolated lifestyle is unnatural to our species. It is important that we find an activity that connects us with community. For some, it is choir or dance, for others it might be volunteering, joining a local church or supporting a political or social cause. Choose an activity that creates a community of like-minded people who grow to become friends and eventually a support group. Find a passion and join. We are not meant to go through this life alone.

Oh yes and treat yourself to a massage or facial at Spa on the Plaza. It’s called self love and not only do you deserve it, we would love to have you.

 

 

Camille’s Gentle Cleanse

When was the last time you craved a salad? If you can’t remember, it might be time to realign your eating habits with a cleanse. One of the many benefits to a cleanse is that unhealthy cravings diminish afterwards. Even a short, 3 day cleanse is a reboot to your system and need not be difficult. Ready to take the challenge? Begin with stocking your house with the following ingredients:

Grocery List

  1. Kefir-Kefir is a fermented drink made with milk and grains. It has beneficial probiotic organisms that cleanse the intestine, balance the intestinal flora and destroy pathogens such as e-coli, and parasites.
  2. Flax seeds- Flax seeds are also excellent for cleansing. They absorb

    Golden Flax
    Golden Flax

    water and expand as they pass through the colon and literally scrub toxins.

  3.  Chickpeas (soaked over night)– Any legumes work and are perfect for a cleanse because they are filling and a savory alternative to meat. They are also an excellent source of protein, B vitamins, iron, zinc, magnesium and potassium.
  4. Miso-I use miso as broth flavoring. The nutrients found in miso include vitamin B2, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, iron, potassium, choline and lecithin. 

    Quinoa
    Nutty flavor and delicious.
  5. Quinoa-Quinoa is gluten-free, high in protein and one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids. Any gluten free grain can be substituted but choose organic.
  6. Vegetables of choice-for the soup.  Onion, parsley and celery are warming and aid digestion.
  7. Salad makings, lettuce, carrots, avocado, onion. Any favorite green choice is fine.
  8. Olive Oil & Balsamic vinegar & garlic for salad dressing.
  9. Cayenne, salt, pepper for flavor and to aid digestion.

Friday-Day One   Caution: Do not over eat in anticipation of the cleanse as the cleanse is short and you don’t want to spend the whole time recovering from a binge. 

Before bed. Mix the 1/3 cup of kefir with 2-3 Tbs. of freshly ground flax seeds. A coffee grinder works, or a pestle. 

Saturday Day Two

Breakfast. Start your day with a fruit salad of your choice. Whatever is in season. Add 7-12 almonds, 6-8 walnuts, 2 Tbs. of  dried coconut flakes and a sprinkle of freshly ground flax seeds. Pour the kefir over the fruit salad. You should be full when you are done but not stuffed.

Lunch. Lunch is your biggest meal and includes a delicious savory soup. Sauté diced onions and a head of celery in a small amount of olive oil until soft. (About 15 mins.)  Finally add 1/2 cup of chopped parsley, 3 cups chick peas, a quart of water, vegetables and seasonings to taste.

Dinner.  Salad and grain of your choice. I like a full avocado as it satiates my craving for fat. Other favorite salad fixings include onions, carrots, peppers, olives and anchovies.

Salad Dressing. Mix 3 Tbs.  of Olive Oil with 1 Tbs. of Balsamic Vinegar and 1 ground garlic clove. Pour over the grain and salad for a spicy flavoring.

Before Bed. Mix the 1/3 cup of kefir with 2-3 Tbs. of freshly ground flax seeds.

Sunday-Day 3 Repeat day 2!

Monday morning wake up and feel the difference.  Ease in to your week and listen to your body.

Well Being & Health