February | 2012 | beautyschooldropn

Archive for February, 2012

Confusing Job Titles: Esthetician is one of them!

Posted in education, skin, tagged CNN, esthetician, job titles on February 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Most people have no idea what an esthetician does. Mention it and they usually immediately ask, “what’s that”? Some guess it has something to do with massage, which is partially true but in a rather small sense. Still, others think it has to do with administering meds prior to surgery. Um, that’s very far from the truth! It’s easier just to say “skin care specialist”, but as licensed professionals, we earned our title and while speciality skin scare is a large part of the job, I just prefer to say esthetician and follow it with an explanation. After all, education is power. 🙂

But fret not, because we are hardly alone in the world of confusing job titles… check out this CNN news article… and yes, esthetician is on the list.

CNN – Confusing Job Titles

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Nutrients You Need Most: Part 4 – Vitamin D3

Posted in Minerals, Nutrition, Vitamins, tagged Vitamin D3 on February 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Photo Credit

Vitamin D3

Key Benefits:

Strengthens your bones, teeth and muscles
May protect against autoimmune diseases and breast and ovarian cancer

Best Food Sources:

1 large egg yolk (18IU)
1 ounce canned sardines (77IU)
1 teaspoon cod liver oil (453 IU)

Daily Intake:

400 – 8OO IU (the RDA is 200IU, but will soon be increasing)

Tip: Ask your M.D. for a 25-OH vitamin D blood test to make sure you’re not deficient.

What is Vitamin D3 and what does it do?

Vitamin D3 is a vitamin that maintains your calcium balance because it can actually aid in bone growth and maintenance of bone density. It’s needed for the utilization of calcium in the body as it can prevent osteoporosis or the breakdown of bones of the elderly, post-menopausal women, and those individuals under chronic steroid therapy. It can also boost immunity and regulate blood pressure.

Where can I find out more about Vitamin D3?

For general information on vitamin D3:
- Office of Dietary Supplements Health Professional Fact Sheet

Vitamins, MedlinePlus®

For more information on food sources of Vitamin D3:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Nutrient Database

For more advice on buying dietary supplements:
- Office of Dietary Supplements Frequently Asked Questions: Which brand(s) of dietary supplements should I purchase?

For information on the government’s food guidance system:
- MyPlate
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans

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Nutrients You Need Most: Part 3 – Folate

Posted in Minerals, Nutrition, Vitamins, tagged folate, vitamin b9 on February 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Folate

[photo source]

Key Benefits:

Crucial during first few weeks of pregnancy to prevent brain & spinal defects
Helps lower risk of colon and breast cancers

Best Food Sources:

1/2 cup cooked asparagus (134 mcg)
1 cup raw spinach (58 mcg)
1/2 cup cooked lentils (179 mcg)

Daily Intake:

400 mcg

What is folate and what does it do?

Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that is found in supplements and added to fortified foods

Where can I find out more about folate?

• For general information on folate:
- Office of Dietary Supplements Health Professional Fact Sheet

Vitamins, MedlinePlus®

For more information on food sources of folate:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Nutrient Database

For more advice on buying dietary supplements:
- Office of Dietary Supplements Frequently Asked Questions: Which brand(s) of dietary supplements should I purchase?

For information on the government’s food guidance system:
- MyPlate
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans

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Green Valley Spa, St. George, Utah

Posted in spas, weight loss, tagged Green Valley Spa, Utah on February 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Photo Source

I love discovering new spas & finding out about places to add to my “Spa Wish List”. I read up on this place awhile back & while I’m not exactly the rustic type, the fact that it’s garnered so many awards has me curious so let’s check out the Green Valley Spa.

“Green Valley has been described as the “best mid-sized spa in America” (by Spa Finder Magazine), “among the best spas in North America” (by Conde Nast Traveler), and one of the Top-3 spas in the world (by Travel & Leisure).”

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Despite their “breathtaking hikes” and “adventures through the surrounding Red Rock Canyon country”, I’m sure I’d probably start my stay with a massage, which is a good thing because they also have a “world-famous spa”, sooo right up my alley.

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Now I’ve never been to Utah but knowing they have the only 4-diamond accommodations in southern Utah, doesn’t really surprise me. Should it? I just don’t imagine much luxurious living going on there. I envision it as an ideal camping ground more so than a suite-filled hot-spot for celebrities.

I must add that I like the ease & simplicity of their website, it’s nice & simple while still showcasing the spa beautifully. Little things like that mean a lot plus their pretty open with the prices. Some spas make you call for everything little thing & if you’ve been reading my blog, you know how much I detest the “sales pitch“.

I especially love this tid-bit of inviting presentation:

“Whether you want to get away from it all, change your life, lose weight with our Fast Track Weight Loss Program, recover from stress with our Stress Recovery Program, or just enjoy a rejuvenating overnight stay, we have the perfect Green Valley experience – just for you.“

Sounds divine! I love a spa with options & for some reason, weight loss programs are so appealing to me. Hmmm, maybe because I could stand to lose some weight…ah, yes, that’s it.

You can choose from their all-inclusive spa packages or stand alone overnight accommodations. I’m interested in their spa packages:

Four Choices:

2 for 1 (14 Night Flexible Package)

The 14 Night Flexible Package includes:

One spa treatment per person/night at $80 per treatment.
4 Diamond Accommodations in a 750 sq. ft. Junior Suite.
Three delicious and nutritious meals per day plus healthy snacks.
Daily guided hikes in spectacular desert locals.
Unlimited fitness classes including yoga, tai chi, and stretch.
Use of resort facilities including indoor and outdoor pools, fitness equipment, and tennis courts.
In-room Wireless Internet access.
Healthy Lifestyle workshops.

Single Occupancy: $428 per person/night plus 15% tax and resort fees. Treatments are not taxed.

Double Occupancy: $403 per person/night plus 15% tax and resort fees. Treatments are not taxed.

The total price includes a 50% discount from the regular price of $670 double occupancy and $695 single occupancy in a 750 square foot Junior Suite.

Junior Suite

Rejuvenation Package (1-13 Nights)

The Rejuvenation Package includes all of the above just different room rates & fewer nights, of course:

Single Occupancy: $497 per person/night plus 15% tax and resort fees. Treatments are not taxed.

Double Occupancy: $472 per person/night plus 15% tax and resort fees. Treatments are not taxed.

The total price includes a 40% discount from the regular price of $670 double occupancy and $695 single occupancy in a 750 square foot Junior Suite.

Bed and Breakfast

Includes one $10 coupon redeemable per person per night (maximum 2 per night/room) toward breakfast, one $10 coupon per room/stay redeemable toward any Good Medicine products. Treatments may be added for $120 per treatment.

	Junior Suite	Grand Suite	Presidential Suite
Per room/night (up to 2 people) Weekdays	$149	$299	$449
Per room/night (up to 2 people) Weekends	$169	$329	$469

Rate is per room in a luxurious 750 square foot Junior Suite, a 1500 square foot Grand Suite, or a 3000 square foot Presidential Suite. 15% tax and resort fee not included in price. Weekends are Thursday through Saturday.

Does not include meals, hikes, lectures, fitness classes, or a spa robe. Guests on the Bed and Breakfast package can purchase lunch for $20, dinner for $40, or both for $50 per day.

Add a Fitness Program which adds access to hikes, lectures, and fitness classes to your Bed and Breakfast stay for $200 per person/night.

Add a luxury spa experience to your Bed and Breakfast Package for $10 per person/room, includes a spa robe for the duration of your stay and $10 off coupon per person per night toward the purchase of a spa treatment of choice.

Grand Suite

Grand Suite Living Room

Grand Suite Dining Room

Grand Suite Bedroom

Grand Suite Bathroom

Bed and Breakfast Plus Tennis Instruction

Tennis Instruction is available for guests at $160 per person per day, or $190 per person per day for those who are not staying at Green Valley Spa.

	Junior Suite w/ Tennis	Grand Suite w/ Tennis	Presidential Suite w/ Tennis
Per person (Single) Weekdays	$309	$459	$609
Per person (Single) Weekends	$329	$489	$629

Rate is per person in a luxurious 750 square foot Junior Suite. Call for Double Occupancy rates with Tennis. 15% tax and resort fee not included in price. Weekends are Thursday through Saturday.

Does not include meals, hikes, lectures, fitness classes, or a spa robe. Guests on the Bed and Breakfast package can purchase lunch for $20, dinner for $40, or both for $50 per day.

Spa robes available for $10 per person per stay.

Presidential Suite

Boy, a stay at this mid-size spa is certainly on the pricey side! Considering I’m a bit of a frugal spa snob who really wants her monies worth, I’d probably opt for a more spa-like locale in that case. But the weight-loss option might be a better choice seeing how the results are “guaranteed”:

Fast Track Weight Loss

3 Week Weight Loss Package

Green Valley Spa has been helping people lose weight, get fit, and make healthy lifestyle choices for 22 years. Their professional team of instructors, therapists, chefs, and dietitians have made Green Valley one of the top destinations to lose weight.

Oooh, this sounds good!

The Fast Track Weight Loss Program has been Green Valley’s most successful and popular weight loss program to date. Supervised by their knowledgeable medical, therapist, fitness, and culinary staff, you are guaranteed* to lose fat and inches faster than any other diet program.

Participants on this program lose at least 5 lbs. per week, and up to 1 lb. per day! Not only that, but since the program is designed to reset your metabolism, you will not gain the weight back!

Say what!!

Program Includes

Body composition analysis with BodPod™ at the beginning and completion of your program.
Medical assessment
Blood tests (CRP, Thyroid, Hormone levels)
Cooking and nutrition classes
Daily consultation and weighing
Private counseling session with Dr. Sid Young, PhD
Private consultation with Dr. Gordon Reynolds
21 nights in a luxurious Junior Suite
Daily meals.
Green Valley’s reknowned fitness program and hourly excercise classes for every fitness level.
Daily hikes in Southern Utah’s red-rock country.
One 50-minute spa treatment per night.
Green Valley’s weight loss guarantee that you will lose 20 pounds*.

*You will lose 20 pounds in 21 days, guaranteed. Your weight loss program will be refunded $50 per pound not lost during your 21 night stay, up to 20 lbs, or a total of $1000.

Hmmm, I must say that does sound impressive!

Pricing

Total per person for 3 Weeks Single Occupancy in a Junior Suite: $10,083 plus 15% tax and resort fees
Total per person for 3 Weeks Double Occupancy in a Junior Suite: $9,558 plus 15% tax and resort fees

Shorter stays are available.

This sounds like a great & super effective program….. wonder if they have any celeb clients who sneak away donning sweats, sunglasses & goofy hats their entire stay, only to return to sunny L.A. & pop up on the red-carpet boasting their new-found love of water! Yea, right, we know what you did last summer. 🙂

And lastly, Green Spa offers a Stress Recovery Program but since it’s more medical based sans special pricing or details of your stay, I opted not to include all the info but you can read about it HERE.

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Esthetician’s Resource: IDI

Posted in education, tagged dermalogica, IDI, jane wurwand on February 2, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Pictured above is Jane Wurwand: Dermaologica founder and creator of The International Dermal Institute.

Have you heard of The International Dermal Institute (IDI)? If you’ve ever used Dermalogica’s skincare line, then you’re more familiar with them than you might think. 🙂

For over two decades, The International Dermal Institute has been known as the premier provider of postgraduate education for professional skin therapists. They now have 39 Training Centers in the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, and Germany.

The IDI offers a vast selection of classes in skin care education to significantly expand your knowledge while learning state-of-the-art treatment techniques and hands-on procedures. Their training methods are designed to help new and experienced skin care therapists advance their knowledge and careers to the next level.

A core class featured at the IDI – International Skin Care Techniques – provides the foundation for a great start in the industry and recommended as the first class to take, post-graduation.

This three-day course costs $375 and it’s available every quarter. You can visit their website to request a class calendar and sign-up for future updates via e-mail or postal mail.

I’ll be featuring more information and tidbits about IDI going forward. To visits their website, click here.