You’re 39 years old and have run into two significant difficulties in life: One, you can’t get pregnant, and two, you are seriously starting to look like your mother.

Your solution? Look to the healing powers of Acupuncture.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices, dating back in Chinese history over 4,000 years, healing everything from headaches and insomnia to wrinkles and infertility—it is known to treat over 40 coniditions. One of our spas, ilumina Healing Sanctuary in Scottsdale, Arizona, has made a name a name for itself as one of the top Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine facilities in the state. Their practitioners are highly trained and renowned for their gentleness, effectiveness and women’s focused care. So let’s start the mending process, shall we?

FIRST, THE BABY: Needles of the holistic sort have been proven to help with infertility, conception, pregnancy, and post-partum care. So much so that women who are using In Vitro to get pregnant are more successful if they pair it with acupuncture.  Dr. Dana Price at ilumina Healing Sanctuary is one of only four doctors in Arizona who is an American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM) Certified Practitioner. She is celebrating ten years in practice and has been working with western doctors, OBGYNs and hospitals who believe in the power of acupuncture in helping the body conceive and heal itself.

NEXT, YOUR WRINKLES: Embrace the natural face lift known as facial rejuvenation, acupuncture face-lift or cosmetic acupuncture. Whatever you want to call it, it’s caught the attention of more and more women who prefer not to undergo surgery or chemical injections like Botox, yet aren’t keen on the sundried fruit look for skin.  The idea behind the success? People have a lot tension which gets concentrated in facial muscles causing wrinkles. Acupuncture creates relief and softens the tension so hinders the lines from forming. Read my account of an Acupuncture Facial last year—I can tell you that I definitely saw and felt a difference in just one session, in terms of my skin looking healthier and more vibrant.

Check out ilumina’s blog for some good info on the subject.

ilumina Healing Sanctuary
7520 East Camelback Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
602.957.2602
http://www.iluminahealing.com

Browse spaweek.com in your area for other spas offering acupuncture during Spa Week this Spring. If you try it for the first time, please let me know, I’d love to hear how it goes!

Photo courtesy of Bella Sugar, who just happened to do a Spa Week post yesterday! Thanks times 2, bellas.

It’s no secret that Spa Week is right around the bend, but do you know how to milk it to the max (and win $50 Spa Week Gift Cards while you’re at it)? Relax!

You may have noticed… we had to go on a little (well, big) hiatus with our weekly Twitter parties #SpaWeekGossip, but we’re bringing it back for one raging Twitter party in anticipation for Spa Week Spring 2011 and the amazing #50dollartreatments in your very near future. We’re teaming up with our old co-host and home-spa savant Candy Silvasy, who now hosts her own #HomeSpaChat Tuesday nights at 8.

Next Thursday afternoon, April 7th from 2-4 pm EST, tweet with @SPAWEEK and all the top #SPA experts on Twitter… we’re going to Tw-each you all the tips, tricks and secrets of the trade to get the most out of  Spa Week’s spring event.

In addition, we are going to be giving away BEAUTY PRODUCTS and 3 $50 SPA WEEK GIFT CARDS for the best tweets for each question, so get ready to Tweet up a spa storm! Prizes from @DrPerricone @VdaraLV @CLARISEA @ybcosmetics @Redken5thAve @TheraPearl @BikiniGlamour and of course @SPAWEEK.

When: Thursday, April 7, 2 – 4 PM Eastern

Where: Twitter or tweetchat with hashtag #SpaWeekGossip

Who: All the spa lovers, cravers, schemers and dreamers – hosted by @SPAWEEK, @ArtOfTheSpa and @RedDoorSpas @MySkinConcierge

So don your robes and slippers, grab your #Spatinis and get comfy – we are going to whisper, (well OK scream) and spy and pry on:

- Insider tips on getting the best massage ever
- Pro spa secrets – chat with spas on Twitter
- Spill your Spa Week plans… what #50dollartreatments are you (and everyone else) getting?
- Secret spa fantasies – quenching our Ultimate Dream Spa Week – Where would you go what would you do?
- The Skinny on Get-Skinny Spa Treatments like slimming wraps and Velashape
- Secret celebrity spa retreats and spottings
- Sneaky spa stories – share the craziest/sneakiest things you’ve ever done to get to the spa— have you played hookie? Lied to your hubby?
- One secret spa ingredient? Oxygen… seaweed… why?
- What spas make you swoon?
- Beauty and relaxation secrets that you can steal from the spa

Tweet you later!

Guest contributor: The Chefanies

Hi and welcome to the first post of Spa Foodie! We are The Chefanies, two Stephanies whose goal is to bring you the freshest and best spa cuisine that is both easy enough to make at home, while at the same time delicious enough to be served in your favorite restaurant.  Each week we will be keeping you up to date onnew recipes and beauty regimens that you can create with organic produce and ingredients that you most likely have in your refrigerator already.

This first recipe is an adaptation of a dish served at Neiman Marcus’s restaurant.  We aren’t going to lie—ours is better.  By combining grilled shrimp, tangy Feta cheese, crunchy cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, exotic artichokes and heart healthy garbanzo beans this meal is sure to satisfy.

WHY WE LOVE IT…

As we mentioned before this dish contains cucumbers, the ultimate spa food. They’re great for reducing swelling under your eyes during a facial – but did you know they work your skin from the inside too? Cucumbers are rich in silica, which is a mineral that contributes to the strength of your connective tissue, which holds your body together.

It also contains quinoa, a whole protein.  That means it contains all the amino acids necessary for our nutritional needs, which is quite rare in the plant world.

This salad is high in dietary fiber.  One appetizer sized serving packs in about 25% of our daily need.  And the addition of artichokes not only helps to welcome spring, but artichokes have been reputed to help in the cure of liver diseases, liver cancer and to cure hangovers!

With under 300 calories per serving you can feel great about eating and sharing it with others.   To your health!

Mediterranean Salad with Grilled Shrimp and Quinoa

Serves 4 appetizer sized portions or 2 main dishes

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup Ancient Harvest Quinoa
1/4 cup Red Onion
10 Cherry Tomato
1 cup Red Bell Peppers
1/2 cup Cucumber
1 cup Arugula (baby)
8 oz shrimp
1 oz Feta Cheese
3/4 cup Artichoke Heart (Frozen)
1/2 cup Garbanzo Beans

DRESSING

1/2 Lemon Juiced
1 tbs dijon mustard
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp Olive Oil Lb

DIRECTIONS

Cook Quinoa according to the box.  Set aside and let cool.

Slice Red Onions, halve cherry tomatoes, chop red bell peppers, cucumbers, arugula and artichoke hearts.

Drain the garbanzo beans and set aside.

Meanwhile whisk together the oil, lemon, dijon, and red wine vinegar to form a dressing.

Mix all the ingredients together with the dressing.

Grill the shrimp until just lightly pink.  About 2 minutes on each side.  (Overcooked shrimp is the worst.)

Plate each shrimp on top of the salad and sprinkle with feta cheese.

Enjoy!

The Chefanies is the blog of 2 Stephanies cooking up a healthy storm using fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients. We focus on everyday cooking that is impressive enough for entertaining and hearty enough to enjoy solo. Go to thechefanies.com for more!

Just when we thought they’ve reached the pinnacle of over exposure the Kardashian clan have side swiped us once again with another family-filled cover shoot. In mid-thigh body con dresses, nude pumps, and bold lips, this cover reminds us that barbeque’s and beach parties are just around the corner. In all of their cheesy wind blown hair glory, we have to give credit where it is due. The gang looks good in the biggest trend of the season: White Hot. In true Spa Week Daily fashion, we did the work to help you find pieces to build your summertime white hot look for under $50.

More Asos…

We just ask you to be prepared with smooth legs and a glow to match. Get your glow on at Planet Beach locations during Spa Week April 11th-17th.

Images via mediaoutrage.com

For 100 years, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas has been one of the most trusted names in wellness and beauty. It’s no wonder that their spas have become a Spa Week favorite since 2006; thousands have had the opportunity to experience Red Door’s exquisite services (normally $100-$200) for just $50. Do some research yourself… Red Door Spas’ YELP pages are loaded with Spa Week reviews. It’s definitely everyone’s favorite time of year to visit!

Relaxation Room at the Red Door Spa on Michigan Avenue in Chicago

Booking has begun for Spa Week and Red Door appointments are some of the first to go! Sign up for Spa Week, check for the Red Door Spa in your area, and call the spa directly to book.

Red Door Spas are offering the following 3 signature treatments for $50 during Spring Spa Week April 11th-17th:

SPA WEEK STRESS MELTER (50 Min)

An integration of signature soothing services. Includes a rejuvenating dry exfoliation, aroma therapeutic body wrap, and a relaxing scalp massage. A hevenly 50 minutes to melt stress and rebalance spirit.

SPA WEEK FACIAL (50 Min)

This popular facial uses specially-selected Elizabeth Arden products to cleanse, exfoliate and hydrate your skin for a look that is healthy and renewed.

SPA WEEK PEDICURE (60 Min)

A signature service that includes an exfoliating cream and sugar scrub, reflexology-inspired massage and warm paraffin to seal in moisture and soften feet.

The Pedicure Room at the Bravern in Washington

Full list of participating Red Door Spas:

Spring Spa Week®, April 11 – 17 (booking has begun!):

ARIZONA
Red Door Spa at The Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa – Litchfield Park
Red Door Spa – Phoenix
Red Door Spa at the Westin LaPaloma Resort – Tucson

CALIFORNIA
Red Door Spa – San Francisco

CONNECTICUT
Red Door Spa – Darien
Red Door Spa at the Mystic Marriott – Groton

ILLINOIS
Red Door Spa – Chicago
Red Door Spa – Deerfield
Red Door Spa – Northbrook

Take a dip in the pool at the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa in Arizona

FLORIDA
Red Door Spa – Ft. Lauderdale
Red Door Lifestyle Spa at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure – Weston

MARYLAND
Red Door Spa – Bethesda
Red Door Spa – Baltimore
Red Door Spa – Gaithersburg

NEW YORK
Red Door Spa – Garden City
Red Door Spa – Fifth Avenue
Red Door Spa – White Plains
Red Door Spa – Woodbury
Red Door Spa – Bellmore

TEXAS
Red Door Spa – Dallas
Red Door Spa – Plano

VIRGINIA
Red Door Spa – Pentagon Row
Red Door Spa – Fairfax
Red Door Spa – Reston
Red Door Spa – Richmond
Red Door Spa – Tyson’s Corner

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Red Door Spa – Chevy Chase
Red Door Spa at The Willard InterContinental Washington D.C.

NEW JERSEY
Red Door Spa at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
Red Door Spa at Seaview Resort – Galloway
Simply Face and Body – Ramsey

WASHINGTON
Red Door Spa – Bellevue, WA

BOOK NOW