Are you looking for something to give to your significant other for Valentine’s Day, or maybe a birthday or anniversary gift?  Well, a little planning goes a long way.  So, in addition to the gift of a healthy weekend away I thought I’d give you some other ideas from a recent column I did on healthy gift ideas.  I hope you’ll find something for your favorite guy or gal!

Candles:  I found a set of Feng Shui Candles at www.heritagestore.com    Feng Shui (as many of you know) is an ancient practice of living harmoniously with your natural environment.  This is for a set of 5 candles with each representing one of the five elements of wood, metal, earth, fire and water. 

Music:  The gift of music is always a good idea.  One of my favorite vendors for relaxing and uplifting music is Real Music.  Check out Grammy Award Winner Peter Kater’s Elements Series and the one titled EARTH is one of the best (and a personal favorite).  Visit: www.realmusic.com

Red Wine & Dark Chocolate:  70% Cacao is best and one organic wine to try is Bonterra’s Cabernet (all in moderation, of course).

Your Time & Friendship:  Maybe you can be a positive influence in helping your friends, family or co-workers into the habit of enjoying a healthy lifestyle.  A gift certificate from you to them could be for a one hour walk in the park (just the two of you) or perhaps a guest pass to your gym (together, of course).  Maybe you can invite them over for a healthy meal or healthy cooking demonstration and discuss how you’ve integrated more fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your life.

Gift Basket of healthy food items:  Include a good quality olive oil, dark chocolate, red wine, nuts & sees (i.e. sunflowers, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, etc.), dried fruit (i.e. Montmorency tart cherries and cranberries (without added sugar, etc.) and include a copy of The Healthy Kitchen: Recipes for a Better Body, Life, and Spirit by Andrew Weil, MD and Rosie Daley.

Here’s to your health & well-being!

When I think of February….I think of red….I think of love….and I think of chocolate (no, this isn’t about chocolate).

They say we must love ourselves to truly love another and without getting corny, my point is to treat yourself well…nurture yourself and be kind to yourself and maybe that means getting away on your own or with a friend to recharge and rejuvenate.

There are only a few weeks left for a special promotion at one of the destination spa resorts listed on this site.  If you are available to travel from a Sunday - Thursday and have a friend to share the room with, send me an e-mail and I’ll give you the details and availability.  The average rate is $2385 per person (all inclusive, however airfare is additional) and if you reserve your stay by Feb. 3 I will include a special spa gift.  

Just thought I’d give you an idea of where space can be found for last minute February travel…especially if you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day or President’s Weekend getaway.  

Miraval and Canyon Ranch in Tucson have limited availability. 

Canyon Ranch in Lenox had openings beginning Feb. 19 and sold out from about Feb. 16/17 - 19/20 in some room categories. 

Azul Blue in Tulum, Mexico has space although limited in mid-February.

Rancho la Puerta is sold out until the week of May 19 and the Ranchera room type is available beginning the week of June 9.

Red Mountain Spa and Green Valley Spa look pretty good for February and offer several packages and affordable rates.  Flights into Las Vegas are best.

I hope you’ll find this helpful in your planning. - Donna

Wow, I’ve never seen a resort sell out of weeks so quickly in my life.  I think we’re sticking with our resolutions this year because I’m amazed at availability.  Space is there one day and gone the next and in some cases gone a few hours later.  I don’t recall it being so busy last year for February and March. 

I thought it was important to include this information for anyone visiting my site who is interested in Rancho la Puerta.  If you contact me for space and it’s available, my suggestion is that we move forward as quickly as possible.  A valid U.S. Passport is required for Mexico, so it’s also important that you leave time to get one if you don’t have one and I would also suggest using the expedite service. 

As of this entry, space for a Ranchera room type, which is the starting rate is available beginning the week of May 19.  All weeks prior to that date are either sold out or very, very limited and only have Jr. Villa Studios and higher.

There are other locations to consider if Rancho la Puerta doesn’t work out, so no worries on staying with your plan to jumpstart your lifestyle change.  

So much is going on in the world of healthy living and improving lifestyles.  Some of you are familiar with Dr. Andrew Weil and his involvement with Miraval’s Center for Life in Balance.  The workshops in 2006 were well received and his new 2007 dates are out.  I’ve included the link to his program so you can see all that’s included.  What an opportunity to meet one of the best nutrition and integrative medicine experts and stay at Miraval.  The link is:  http://www.miravalresort.com/s…….php?id=15

I was looking at some mother and daughter programs for this spring and Lake Austin is offering a special week devoted to mothers & daughters - a great time to bond and share a spa experience.  There’s so much being offered so I’ve included a link if you’re interested.  Go to: http://www.lakeaustin.com/cale……events.php and then move down until you see March 19-25 for Mother/Daughter week. 

Another great value is at Canyon Ranch Tucson on their Parent & Child package.  Mom (or Dad) pays the regular rate and then son or daughter goes for 25% off.  It’s a great savings for a weeklong stay or even four nights.  I thought more about this after viewing a movie with Paul Reiser and Peter Falk called ‘The Thing About My Folks’ - it was hilarious and heartwarming and I started thinking about how we put things off and time just goes by and we don’t always spend quality time with our folks (or kids) because of work and other obligations.  This is a good way to bond and to create memories for years to come.  The movie really made me think about what I’ve missed and how I hope to make up for some of it.

So, if you’re looking to do something with mom or dad or son or daughter, there are options that give you both time together and time for yourself. 

Happy New Year friends - I hope you found time to relax and rejuvenate.

I recently received word about a great promotion at Miraval.  It’s their Celebrate Friendship package and what a time to go for a little R&R and friend time.   You do have to travel by Feb. 28 and it’s for a four night stay (Sunday-Thursday), however the savings is worth the schedule juggling. 

Well, it’s no secret that many of us enjoy our chocolate from time to time.  Well, on a recent trip to Canyon Ranch in Tucson I was lured to their new dining room by the aroma of chocolate and just couldn’t wait for dinner time.  Truth be told, I really wanted to go right in and grab whatever delectable treat was in the oven - however, I wanted to practice patience and so I waited (thankfully it wasn’t that long, whew).  What  a delicious dessert….it was just the right size and oh, so delicious. If you’d like the recipe for the Black Forest Brownies, please send me an e-mail and I’ll get it to you.  So yummy and only 120 calories.  

How many times do we make resolutions for the new year only to break them during the first week or so?  Maybe we could look at it differently and set our intentions on what we want to bring into our lives.  Easier said than done, yes, however it’s possible with a little visualization and the determination to make the changes.  When it becomes painful to stay stuck that’s when change can occur.  For instance, I’m a little off track with exercising (okay, more than a little).  I was doing great….taking dance lessons, going to Pilates 2x per week, riding my bike and really in the zone and then the holidays got to me again.  I thought it would be different this time, however I was lured by the treats of the season, a little red wine, and my mom’s great cooking.  What’s a girl to do?  Well, get back on the horse and set the intention to do what’s best for now and so I’m heading to my gym to renew my membership (yep, another January renewal) and then when December rolls around I’ll be ready for the challenge.  “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao Tzo. 

I hope you’re able to take that first step for a healthy and productive year.  We can do it! 

Whenever I visit a destination spa I make it a point to purchase the cookbooks so I can bring home the recipes for all of the great meals I enjoy while away and today I made one of the smoothies.  Mango, papaya, apple juice, lime juice and crushed ice.   Refreshing and a pretty good pick-me-up for the afternoon.   Strawberries and bananas is another good combo as is pineapple and mango.  So easy and healthy.