Come celebrate our countries independence with great music, food, fun and get a free back and neck massage to boot!! Santee Salutes is east counties largest and best Independence Day Celebration with thing to do for the whole family and IT’S FREE!. And (as usual) Simply Spa will be there giveing free back and neck massages. The event starts at 3:30pm and you’ll be entertained by the band 80’s All Star’s, rides, food (For a reasonable price) and of coarse the best firworks display in the county! Swing by our booth and say hi and get a free back and neck massage.

Do you ever get frustrated or bored with your job, even though you know it’s the best job you’ve ever had?  I guess we all have those days.  This week I needed some motivation and so I decided to go to a new networking group.  It’s nice to meet other business owners and exchange experiences and get new ideas.  I find that when I go out and meet new people I get excited again, just by talking about my job. 

Another great way is to go take a class or seminar, even if it is a home study course, it reminds me of the things I love about being a massage therapist and the benefits I provide to others.  I also like looking at new products to use and sell at the spa.  There are always new products coming out and some are good and some not so much, but it’s fun to read and keep up with the ever changing market. 

Although we like to keep things simple here at Simply Spa, we do like to spend time doing some more special things.  A few times a year we will come up with special limited time treatments that relate to the season.  It keeps us interested by doing new things and not just the same treatments over and over.

So if you need some renewed motivation for your job, get out and remind yourself why you started your job in the first place, or how you can move onto something better – Take charge!

Have a great week & remember to take time for yourself, you deserve it!

Caroline J

P.s.  If you are interested in getting our newsletters announcing our specials, just contact me at caroline@simplyspasantee.com

So I was home alone for the week. My boys all left for a camping trip, so my plans included cleaning, clearing clutter, getting stuff ready to give to the Goodwill, studying for my continuing education…

Well not so much. Instead I took advantage of the empty house to catch up on chick flicks and to just lounge around eating some easy quick home cooked meals. Even though I missed my boys, it’s been therapeutic to spend some ‘me’ time.

I also got some exercise in. We are a one-car family and the boys took the car, leaving me with my trusty bicycle. Riding my bike to work has actually been fun for me. Growing up in Holland, land of the bicycles (and cheese) I rode my bike everywhere, including a daily 5 mile ride to and from high school. Needless to say I never felt like I was out of shape, because I would get a work out every day.

It is a little different riding here, more hills, ups and downs and not as many safe bicycle paths. Nonetheless it is definitely doable to ride a bike to work. I get a work out and enjoy the sun and fresh air. Plus it forced me to eat healthy at home and save money on eating out. Not sure how the folks at the drive-thru would react if I showed up at the window with my bike.

I may just have to keep this up for a few days a week while the weather permits. Have a great week & remember to take time for yourself, you deserve it!

Caroline

As I celebrate another birthday I look back at the changes I’ve made in my life over the last year. My family and I have really tried to improve our diet and lifestyle. We recently started buying our produce from a local farm and it has been an amazingly positive experience.

We joined a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)*. The basics premise of the program is to purchase a ‘share’ in a local farm and in return you receive a box of fresh produce each week. It is like Christmas every week to see our ‘harvest’. The items vary each week depending on the season and what fruits, vegetables and herbs are ready to be harvested. They are fresh, grown locally without pesticides, in season and they taste amazing!

I have to admit there are some fruits and vegetables that throw us for a loop: “What is this and what the #@*% are we going to do with it?” This is also part of the adventure to try new items we would otherwise not purchase or even see at the store. We go to Blue Sky Ranch and they are good about posting each week’s items on their website so we just go on the internet and find recipes for the items we haven’t used before.

I also like the idea of our kids growing up knowing where their food comes from and that there are choices beyond the usually canned corn, green beans and peas or even the standard carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, apples, bananas etc. that are available at every grocery store.

This week I left a cumquat on the counter and my 4 year old said “that’s a cumquat mommy”. Thomas and I looked at each other in amazement. When I asked how he knew that, he told me he saw it on Sesame Street. So if he is learning that from the TV, the least I can do is show him in real life.

So, if you are into healthy food and a little adventurous check out www.healingfromthegroundup.org. We arranged for a tour before signing up, so we could see the farm and it really made the difference to see how our food is grown.

*For more information and to find a CSA in your area check out www.localharvest.org/csa/

To make an appointment or for more information call us at (619) 258 5810 or e-mail us info@simplyspasantee.com

*Other plans include Alliance Health Card, Clarian Health Plan and Healthyroads Collection. Check your insurance provider’s website for alternative health discounts as more insurance companies are realizing the health benefits of massage they may join the Affinity Program through American Specialty Health.

Once again Simply Spa will be at the Santee Street Fair this Saturday May 29th 2010 From 10:00am until 7:00pm. We will have massage therepists on site give free back and neck massages as well as handing out information on our spa. Come join east counties premier day spa and many other locally owned businesses and support Santee’s locals! Clint August from the afternoons on Rock 105.3 will be your host.

Once Again Simply Spa Is sponsoring The May Ride which is a fundraiser for Homefront San Diego! It will be held at Biggs Harley Davidson In San Marcos. We’ll be doing free Back and Neck Massages from 12:00pm until 4:00pm as well as Donating some prizes for the Mechanical Bull (Yeah! you heard me right) as well as the raffle. It’s not just a ride either. The event afterwords is the best part with lost to do for the whole family! Just go to www.mayride.com for more details! Please come out to this Great and much needed event! See you there!

Rock 105.3 Has asked Simply Spa to provide Chair massages during their Chargers Pep Rally Tomorrow at Dave and Busters from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. We’ll have two massage therepists there the whole time! Come cheer on your Chargers and get a massage! Clint From Rock 105.3 to host.

On October 7th 2009 at 6:00pm to 9:00pm Simply Spa will be donating their time to help their favorite cause. “The Mikey Morning Show” from Rock 105.3FM will be broadcasting fro 28 strait hours to raise money for Rady Children’s Hospital. We will be there for 3 hours between 6:00pm and 9:00pm doing Back and Neck Massages for Donations to this worth while cause!  So come down and get relaxed and rejuvinated and Donate to a geat cause! Here is where it is all Happening:

Clear Channel

(858) 278-1130

The same day Thomas posted his story I saw two news stories that were relevant to his post.  One was about the results of a study showing that kids and teenagers are not getting enough Vitamin D because of two reasons: lack of time spent outside in the sun and a higher consumption of soda versus milk.  So get your kids walking with you, get some of those early morning or late afternoon rays of sunshine*.  While you’re at it slowly decrease their soda intake, give them smaller amounts or less frequent.

The second story was a headline on the internet about the increased amount of Americans taking anti-depressant medications.  I am not a big proponent of prescription drugs, especially ones that need to be taken for the long term.  Many maintenance drugs just seem to be the easy way out.  Sure taking a small pill once a day seems easy, but tell that to your liver and kidneys that have to actually process all the chemicals in that little pill.  Besides that, have you ever read the full disclosure on these medications? I looked up some anti-depressants and their possible side effects: insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, decreased sex drive, sweating, fatique, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, etc. But hey, you won’t be depressed about it…  Also, they don’t just reduce your negative feelings, they will also reduce your high / good feelings. My advice: question your doctor whenever they prescribe you a new medication: is there another way I can attack my problem? Will I need to take this medication for the rest of my life and why? What does this medication do?

Sure we all have bad days and times that are depressing, that is just a part of life. How we deal with it is our choice.  Start by thinking positive, I know it is easier said than done, but you can do it.  (Call me if you need a pep talk, or swing by the Spa for a hug).  Exercise or another hobby is a great way to start, and believe me the side effects are much better. Since we’ve started walking in the mornings, I feel more energized, feel more connected to my family, have a desire to eat better, sleep better at night, more productive at work and best of all: it seems like my life, which felt like it was in a negative spin, is actually turning more positive. 

Truth is, drug companies in America make huge profits, but those drugs are not solving the actual problem, they are just masking the symptoms, why else do you have to keep taking them. And those side effects? Your doctor will probably prescribe you a drug for those and before you know it you are taking 5-7 different medications and shelling out your co-pays each month.

Cost of putting your laptop or tv-remote to the side and taking a brisk walk outside in the sun?* Last time I checked it was FREE! J  As for side effects, I can only think of positive ones, let me know if you experience any negative ones.

P.S. If you want to join us on a Sunday morning walk, let us know and we’ll set up a meeting point and time!

*Don’t forget your sunscreen if you are going out for a long period of time especially between 11am and 4pm.