Brrrr! We are approaching a dose of cold weather and winter has just begun in Pennsylvania. Here are two of Spa Shawnee and Salon's personal favorite suggestions for keeping warm this winter:
1. Get regular massage! As most of us know, #1 benefit of massage therapy is "improved circulation". The reason most of us have cold feet, hands, noses, and achy muscles during these frigid months is "poor circulation". There isn't a better way to keep the blood, oxygen and energy flowing.

2. Step it up a notch and book a "Hot Stone" massage. Depending on the price, therapist, etc. hot stone massages come in different varieties. Sometimes stones are placed on the body for healing or chakra balancing or integrated into a full body massage session. In our own River Stone sessions we incorporate stones and hand manipulation. The stones provide warmth to the tissue encouraging relaxation as well as a feeling of true roundedness. You literally melt into the table.

So, don't forget to take care of yourself this winter and get regular massage. Plus, massage gift certificates make the perfect holiday gift.. Spa Shawnee is offering the Give and Get Gift Card Set. By purchasing a $50.00 Experience Shawnee Gift Card, you get a $10 Gift Card for yourself. Purchase a $100.00 Experience Shawnee Gift Card and get a $25 Gift Card!

Spa Shawnee and Salon is located in the lower level of The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, just adjacent to the Golf Shop. Spa Shawnee is a full-service spa offering guests massages, facials, body treatments, hydrotherapy, manicures, pedicures, body scrubs, and full salon services.

Spa Shawnee and Salon offers Wyndham guests an exclusive discount on spa and salon services. SpaShawnee.com

I Need and IPhone

“I need an iPhone”. That is what I heard for the last few weeks from my dearest friend. “Why?” I asked. “Because I want one and it can do so many things that you would not believe” she responded. Yeah, it can do so many things, but do we really benefit from ALL those things that occupy our minds constantly. Yes, constantly. Checking your phone for new messages, who called, who did I miss, how did they respond to my text, and on, and on.

At the same time we are bombarded with ideas of holistic healing, finding peace and quiet within yourself, trying to balance your life, and so on. May I ask: How am I supposed to find peace within with my iPhone next to me? Sorry, does not work for me. Why do we do it to ourselves? Why do we complain that we cannot find time for x,y, or z, but we do find time to check our phone, e-mail, IM, facebook and all other “socializing” places. Why can’t we find time to MEET those important people who text us, post on facebook, and write (or not any more since facebook invention) e-mails to us. If anyone has an answer, please let me know. I am really curious.

I hope I will never NEED an iPhone to talk to someone.

Think Green

Green has comes in so many colors. Sometimes it is hard to call them by name. On my recent trip to the lake, my friend and I were trying to come up with a name for beautiful shade of water on that rainy and cloudy day. We thought it was blue, but green. When we looked at the water – it seemed to be blue, but surrounding mountains and clouds made water and air look green. Nature is just awesome regardless of weather. Green is a big word now. Many people want to be “green”, because it is trendy; save “green” being “green”; be “green” for future generations, for themselves, and so on….

I catch myself being obsessed with thinking “green”. Yes, it does save some “green” being “green”, but where is the limit of being so eco-logically conscious? Sometimes I think I am the only freak who separates organic from recyclable and other waste; buy only necessary items, drag my eco-bags and reuse every possible shopping bag, lower AC/heat at work (do not have AC at home), donate everything possible to others, reuse containers, do not buy processed food, reuse water from fresh flowers to water other plants; reuse old towels and clothing for rags… and the list goes on and on. Where do I stop? I like “eco-me”, but I get so discouraged seeing trash on the side of the road, explaining recycling to my co-workers over and over again, or even worse – to my friends who DO NOT CARE! How do I change their thinking? I was lucky – I was brought up with green philosophy. My parents were always very “organic”. Back then it was easy, especially in my country (Poland) where McDonald’s did not exist, but what about others? I do not want to be the only “freak” on the green block…

Oh...Man!

Why aren’t more men getting spa treatments? Athletes get massages, go to saunas and steam rooms. Some of the most renowned spas in the world are often patronized by affluent men. So what are normal Jacks and Johns afraid of? Maybe it is because I am a woman, but I see it differently, I think it is sooo… macho for a MAN to get a face treatment, manicure, pedicure, or massage. As a woman I find it attractive for a man to take care of himself, look good, and what is most important –feel good.

Hello MEN! Feeling good, relaxed, and pampered is OK, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Dealing with a soar neck or back by yourself is not going to heal it. Yes, that pain will go away, but you will feel much better and relieved quicker if you get professional a massage or facial.

A lot of our male population have occupations that require them to be outdoors, or in tough to handle work environments such as warehouses, factories, roofs, mechanical rooms, trucks (just imagine driving for hours!). GUYS! You do need good a massage or rejuvenating face treatment as much as or even more than women. Spa treatments are more about your wellness than beauty. Just think about the number of men with high blood pressure. They do not even want to take pills because they think that there is nothing wrong with them (if they do not feel pain of discomfort, it means they are fine!). Just get a massage once a month, take that time and treat yourself instead of another evening with a can of beer or soda in front of the TV.

I know, I know, some will say: “Waste of money” because they do not SEE the results. Ok, do some research and type in “benefits of massage”…. Endless…

Not convinced? Do it for your significant other. Do it together, get couples treatment, make her happy, or whatever reason is best for you. Just try it. You will like it and you will FEEL better.
I guarantee it!

April - Nature

When I think about this coming summer, I realize that it will be my third summer working at The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, and fourth summer for Spa Shawnee and Salon. Oh my… time flies… When I think of the future, I still see myself here, on the banks of Delaware River, watching how seasons unwind, the river flows by, geese come and go, and Shawnee grounds get more beautiful every day. We are so blessed to work here, and share all those beautiful surrounding with our guests. Those who visited our destination once know what I am talking about. It is an amazing experience to live AMONGST this environment to be part of it.

I came across an article referring to the upcoming Earth Day lately, and realized that often time’s we-people do not consider ourselves as part of Nature, but think that we own the Nature. We do things to preserve Nature, environment, and limit natural resources used by our civilization, and so on… (You know - all green efforts). Well, we are wrong; at least that is what I think. We ARE only a tiny part of this massive creation, this mastered to perfection existence. A tiny part that thinks it is smarter, better and able to rule this creation. We should start with RESPECT, and then we would not have to go back and fix what we messed up.

I love to hike. The Pocono’s is one of the greatest places to hike that I know of. You can discover new things every time you go on the same trail. Although you take the same path, the trail is not the same – it changes. Constantly… When I hike, I love to listen. Listen to the trees, and try to comprehend what those trees have seen and have gone through. It makes me bow to them and think of my tiny “me” and my tiny issues (family, work, bills) that overwhelm me on the daily basis. When I am hiking, there are no issues, no worries, just a thought: “These Mountains have been here forever (in human sense of time, I mean) and they will be here forever, after I am long gone with my little “issues”.

I love to listen. Listen to the Nature.

Holiday R&R

I cannot believe 2008 is almost over. I remember it like yesterday all the New Millennium threats and scares. It is so funny now J but what’s not funny at all is the fact that the same time next year, the first decade (!) of 21st century will be OVER…
It makes me realize even more how important it is to enjoy every minute of our life….

Holidays and the New Year are a good time to think about the past and future. I want you all to think about how much time you spend on treating yourself with things that you like the best – reading, hiking, hobby, gardening, or sleeping….anything you enjoy the most. You are probably like most of our society now and put your job, children, and community work first; and you are on the bottom of the list, aren’t you? This New Year’s Eve make a promise to yourself that you will spend more time with yourself. I promise you that you will get so much more energy to do all those wonderful things for your family, work, and community. Find that time, even before you go to sleep and think about all those wonderful things that you enjoy and promise yourself to do them in the nearest future - at the first opportunity. Put yourself on the top of the list. If you are not able to do the activities due to the weather or season, just make an appointment for a manicure, massage, or go to the movies or library. Just be with yourself for sometime.

In the meantime, though, Holidays with lots of food are coming. That may be dangerous for your body and soul. It is easy to get filled with fat, toxins and unnecessary calories, and your soul will feel guilty. In order to cover the guilt, you will promise to go on diet with the start of New Year. Then you will have to do something with the left-over’s, so you will eat them feeling guilty about not sticking to the diet and so on… Why don’t we all take some steps before the fact? Here are some great tips to feel healthy and not guilty:

- Always have a light snack a few hours before arriving at a party. If you turn up having starved yourself all day, you’re more likely to overindulge yourself when faced with a mountain of delicious food;
- Pile your plate high with traditional seasonal vegetables such as red cabbage, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. The more colors you have on your plate, the greater the variety of nutrients (remember the Éminence food palette!);
- Turkey is a great option. It is packed with protein, which helps fill you up, and provides many other nutrients including zinc, a mineral that keeps the immune system in tip-top shape. But best of all, turkey is lower in fat and calories than many other meats, especially if you go for the breast;
- Don’t smother the turkey with oil, butter, margarine or lard when you cook it;
- Often we arrive to a party thirsty and drink the first drink fast. Quench your thirst with a glass of water instead of a high calorie alcoholic or soft drink;
- Beware of all the extras such as cranberry sauce, bread pudding and white sauce;
- Position yourself far away from the food and drinks table so you are less likely to pick.

Have Peaceful and Relaxing Holidays!

Eminence

“Just like a fine wine, we get better with age, but that doesn’t mean our skin needs to look older. There’s no need to mull it over – the DiVine Collection from Éminence Organic Skin Care is the toast of the town” (Éminence Organic Skin Care). We are so excited to launch our first collection from Éminence. It smells delicious; it feels so smooth on your skin. This exclusive collection is based on Tokay grapes that come from vineyards of the Tokai Region of Hungary and are full of antioxidants. They also reduce inflammation and slow the oxidation process that causes the skin to age prematurely.

When you come to Spa Shawnee you should start your day with a relaxing massage using our new Mimosa Champagne Massage Oil followed by a Mimosa Champagne Exfoliation of your entire body in our unique Hydrotherapy capsule. Wrap up your visit with a renewing facial. Éminence refining Tokay Ice Wine Masque is packed with chunks of Tokay grapes along with apples to hydrate and renew your skin.
This season’s collection leaves one reminiscent of gentle summer afternoons, while making you feel pampered by the champagne bubbles of New Year’s Eve. Just a perfect Holiday gift for every body!

Since we want everyone to share our excitement, we offer great deals this month. Come and enjoy DeVine Mini Facial (30 minutes), Manicure and Pedicure for only $89. Get yourself (or others) the gift of indulgence. See you then…