Peanut Butter Cup Oatmeal Recipe

Keri Glassman, our Spa Week Expert on nutrition and diet, has a new book, The New You (and Improved!) Diet. It’s chock full of advice, recipes, and meal ideas, including a cleanse, a full 8-week meal plan, and the 8 rules that Keri shares with her private clients to help make weight loss easy.

There’s also priceless advice from Keri, a top nutritionist who’s seen it all and knows what really causes diets to fail. “Stress derails more diets than anything else I know,” she shares. “This book will teach you how a very simple meditation, one that’s been proved to lower stress.”

So hurry and order your copy of the book, which hits shelves on Monday December 24th. In the meantime, we asked Keri to share a healthy recipe that you and your family will love. With no further ado, here’s Keri’s Peanut Butter Cup Oatmeal:

Peanut Butter Cup Oatmeal

1⁄2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
3⁄4 cup low-fat milk
2 teaspoons smooth peanut butter
2 teaspoons dark chocolate chips

1. Combine the oats and milk in a small bowl with a dash of salt. Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through and again after the oats are cooked through.
2. Stir the peanut butter into the oats mixture until well combined.
3. Top with dark chocolate chips.

Chat Live with Keri Glassman

Meet Keri Glassman.

If you’re at all into diet, health, and wellness, you probably already know her — or at least recognize her name.

As the founder of Nutritious Life and Nutritious Life Meals, Keri Glassman is one of the foremost dieticians in America. She’s served as a healthy eating and nutrition expert for many major magazines and TV segments in addition to authoring her own bestsellers on these topics.

LIVE CHAT ON NOVEMBER 30:
This year, we enlisted Keri to help with all of your holiday eating concerns through a Live Facebook chat! Mark your calendars for Friday November 30: Keri will be taking your diet, nutrition, and healthy eating questions live! To chat, simply visit our Facebook page from 12-1pm EST on 11/30/12 and post your questions directly on our wall. Keri will respond to as many as she can! Get tips on handling overeating during the holidays, healthy snack ideas, and more. See you then!

EAT WELL, BE WELL GIVEAWAY:
The live chat isn’t the only fun we’ve planned. We also teamed up with Keri on a big holiday promotion: Our Eat Well, Be Well Holiday Giveaway, happening NOW through December 31, 2012.

You’ll win:

  • A six-night stay for two at Kalani resort in Hawai’i
  • Three healthy meals daily
  • Over 50 classes to choose from (including yoga, Hawaiian culture, and more)
  • Two spa treatments
  • A half-day Hawaiian cultural adventure
  • A personalized nutrition counseling program from Keri
  • A three-day supply of Nutritious Life meals
  • Two autographed copies of The New You (and improved!) Diet, Keri’s new book

Enter on Facebook or on SpaWeek.com now!

Eat Well, Be Well Holiday Giveaway

The holidays are approaching, and making healthy decisions during this time of year is definitely not easy with stuffing, pumpkin pie, and other diet “don’ts” all around us. Luckily, we enlisted nutrition expert Keri Glassman, author of The New You (and Improved!) Diet (in stores December 24th), to help us create a wellness package so incredible, it will get you through the holidays — and beyond — with ease: Presenting our Eat Well, Be Well Holiday Giveaway!

To start, how does a six night stay for two in Hawai`i sound to you? You and a guest will live in the lap of luxury at Kalani, where you’ll be treated to daily healthy meals, your choice of over 50 fitness classes like yoga and Hawaiian culture, a spa treatment each, and a half-day Hawaiian cultural adventure. Is that enough to keep you active, stress-free and feeling fabulous? We think so. But just in case…

When you return home, it won’t be empty-handed, since we want you to continue your new healthy lifestyle! You’ll receive two copies of The New You (and Improved!) Diet, as well as a personalized nutritional counseling program from Keri, including a 3-day supply of Nutritious Life meals. Consider your New Year’s Resolution kept with this foolproof plan to help you eat well and be well all year long.

As a final gift, we’re also giving you $175 worth of Spa & Wellness Gift Cards by Spa Week so you can pamper yourself in 2013. After all, feeling good and looking good go hand in hand.

This amazing package will leave you looking and feeling your best, so hurry and enter now on Facebook! Don’t have Facebook? You can enter on SpaWeek.com. Good luck!

Spa Week Media Party Recap – Spring 2012

It’s our party and we’ll spa if we want to! Last week on April 11 we returned to the spacious Altman Building and held our bi-annual Spa Week Media Party, a night dedicated to food, drinks, beauty, pampering and wellness. This year was extra special as it’s our Sweet Sixteenth edition of #50dollartreatments. And just like any sweet sixteen we spoiled ourselves by throwing a party fit for the especially sweet occasion. Well, we mostly spoiled our guests! What other party are you going to leave with smoother skin, waxed eyebrows, fresh makeup or a Vajazzle as party favors? Our main goal, as well as our sponsors, was to indulge our guests and showcase all the benefits and fun of the spa lifestyle. So who was on the guest list? Everyone in the biz, from TV producers and radio personalities to magazine editors and top bloggers, who all lined up to come out to celebrate the sweetest Spa Week yet!

Of course, I took on the night in sequins and six inch heels, because that’s how I spa-rty. (More on the outfit coming later this week.) Let me be your hostess with the mostest love for spa and come along as I take you on a tour of our spa-cial night.

One of the first things to do when you entered the party, and one of the highlights, was to line up to get a chance to meet the five-time New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin.

Guests were given a copy of her new book Where We Belong to be signed by the author.

Emily was all smiles as she signed and personalized copy after copy of her new book.

Emily had a line of excited fans to meet her all night and she happily chatted with guests the entire party.

I loved interviewing  Emily on camera and getting the chance to chat a little off camera too. She is so excited to be the first author ever associated with Spa Week, and loves the “girliness” of it all! She pictures girls in spa robes curled up with her new book, waiting for their massages to begin.

What’s a sweet sixteen without some sweet treats? The “chocolate ladies” as we call them, once again brought the four tier’d chocolate fountain and you can bet that the chocolate flowed all night.

A night of indulgence provided by catering from incognito bistro. This Italian-American restaurant in Flatiron is less than two blocks from our office, and our go-to for company lunches and dinners. Go ahead, have seconds, and thirds, and fourths. (We went there after the party too… for fifths and sixths.)

Christopher Drummond and his beauty crew getting ready to touch-up guests with their organic, vegan make-up line.

Christopher working his magic. Did you catch his brand featured on Dr. Oz the other day? WTG, CD!

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas‘ COO Jeff Kohl chatted on camera about Spa Week and Red Door’s longstanding partnership. It’s all about giving everyone the opportunity to spa, regardless of budget. Red Door’s Smooth Sculpt machine was a hit! It’s an alternative approach to skin rejuvenation that will lift skin, reduce wrinkles and release built-up toxins caused by diet, age and the environment. Like a revitalizing workout for your skin, this wellness method uses mild suction, pulsing and homeopathic extracts to cleanse cellular debris, reduce puffiness, as well as fortify the immune system.

Our Design and Organizational Expert Bobby Berk takes a minute to reflect in his social media lounge space, designed from his collection, Bobby Berk Home.

Pillow talk with Bobby Berk!

Taking a food break and break from their heels in the Bobby Berk lounge.

It’s no secret that I’m going Completely Bare and here is the woman behind the laser hair removal that I love! Cindy Barshop, THE hair removal guru.

Matching arm and chest Vajeweles. A little high but just as sparkly.

Completely Bare was also giving out waxes. The pup, however, preferred the furry look.

American Laser Skincare taught guests about how to obtain beauty through technology and with their scientifically proven skin care line.

The ladies of Skintology showed off their recently relaunched line of skin products.

Behind the scenes eyebrow shaping from Skintology.

Our Whole Living Expert Keri Glassman and her nutritionists gave one-on-one nutrition consultations featuring Nutritious Life Meals. It’s never too late to start living a Nutritious Life.

The ladies at Spa Chicks On The Go offered a beauty pit stop for guests. Sit down, relax and be on your gorgeous way!

There’s always time for a little pampering.

Guests could grab a complimentary towel and chat with York Spa about their new product, which is a surgery-free alternative to botox.

J. Sisters showed off their impressive celebrity clientele and their skills for blow outs and styling.

Of course, we can’t forget to take a stop at the three bars that guests flocked to all night. Sake TY KU were serving up their all natural and premium sake Spatinis with fresh cut cucumbers. I love spa-ke! My TY KU ninja name is Ninja Turtle Michellangelo.

Seagram’s Escapes showed off their brand new Frozen Magaritas and Frozen Daiquiris. Just pour, recline, and you’ve got yourself the perfect beach beverage . (Doubles as an ice pack to cool your forehead, because man it’s HOT out there.)

As the night wine-d down Rioja kept pouring bottle after bottle of their delicious wine. Really, what goes better with relaxation than wine?

Photos by Michel Delsol for Spa Week.

Guests also sipped on Honest Tea and Honest Ade as a refreshing alternative to alcoholic beverages.

To see more photos of the party, check out the album on our Facebook page.

And thanks to Gorgeous in Grey for whipping up this video tour of the evening! Looks like you had fun. Spa Week’s official video soon to come!

5 Foods To Feel Sexy On Valentine’s Day – By Keri Glassman

Eggs, ginger, pomegranates… do you ever think of these foods as sexy? Spa Week’s very own Whole Living Expert, Keri Glassman, is back to help you get sexy for Valentine’s Day from the inside out. (Remember when she challenged us to ditch artificial sweeteners for two weeks? That was trés sexy for your bod!). Keri, who has been all over NBC’s TODAY Show lately, has just launched her very own line of healthy, gourmet home-delivered meals, Nutritious Life Meals. We’re so happy to see all of Keri’s continued success and we’re even happier that she was able find the time to offer Spa Week Daily these sexy food tips.

By Keri Glassman

Let’s face it… we all want to look sexy for our significant other, especially on Valentine’s Day. You’ve finally gotten the dress you wanted for a romantic dinner, but what can you eat to ignite the big night? Here are some foods that will make you look and – more importantly – feel sexy!

(Don’t be a slave to the stove. For more Keri at home, you can order Nutritious Life Meals to have all these sexy ingredients delivered fresh to your table.)

1. Chocolate

The relationship between chocolate and Valentine’s Day is undeniable. Although it may start innocently (how sweet, a box of chocolates!), it all too often ends with feelings of remorse (did I really eat 23 mini chocolates – in thirty minutes?!). To incorporate chocolate into your romantic escapades and still feel sexy, think of combining a small dark portion with an exotic fruit or berries. [Nutritious Life Meals Pick: Pistachio-crusted chocolate dipped figs.]

2. Pomegranates

The look and smell of a fresh-cut pomegranate is a great aphrodisiac! Pomegranates are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that help blood flow through your veins — a key component to good sex. Incorporate pomegranates into your V-Day by adding a spoonful to your morning oatmeal for a sexy-day kick start. Or, for dinner, try salmon with a pomegranate sauce. Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids – essential fats that are heart-healthy and have been shown to improve mood. The meal will provide a total mind and body boost – perfect for a passionate night! [Nutritious Life Meals Pick: Filet of Salmon with Spiced Pomegranate Sauce.]

3. Ginger

Beating the bloat is one of the best (and easiest!) ways to ensure you feel svelte and sexy all day long. Many foods tout flat-tummy benefits, but ginger also helps fight inflammation – and is extremely versatile! Try incorporating ginger into your day by shaving some fresh ginger into your morning omelet or sipping on a cup of ginger tea. [Nutritious Life Meals Pick: Ginger Poached Apple with Mascarpone Cheese.]

4. Eggs

It’s important to start your V-Day off with a meal that makes you feel healthy, satiated, and oh-so-sexy. Eggs are a breakfast staple  for good reason – they promote brain health and have even been shown to aid in weight loss. Making breakfast in bed for your guy might not be a bad idea – eggs are a good source of L-arginine, an amino acid that has been shown to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction. Keeping eggs on the menu will definitely help keep you feeling sexy and satisfied. [Nutritious Life Meals Pick: Portobello Mushroom, Shallot & Parmesan Cheese Egg Bake with Fresh Papaya.]

5. Oranges

This citrus fruit claims many health benefits, but did you know it can also amp up your appeal? It’s true! Researchers from the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation found that the scent of an orange increased male arousal by up to 20%. Try serving your sweetheart a dressed up meal by adding orange zest to your favorite dishes! You can also keep it simple (and still sexy) by plating orange slices. Just be sure you’re prepared for the passion it ignites! [Nutritious Life Meals Pick: Filet of Halibut with Spicy Orange Sauce.]