Archive for April, 2008

April Treatment Recipes

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

Whew…just made it by the narrowest of margins..
(It’s okay it’s not May yet!)

Greetings!

Click here and check out some great massage oil blends and our luxurious
Soothing Jade Body Masque recipe - fantastic as a full body wrap or a specialty treat for feet and hands - there’s nothing like playing in the mud!

Korean Bell of Friendship, San Pedro, CA

Monday, April 28th, 2008

KoreanBell.jpg

Seeking respite from the pre-summer heat (around 97 degrees F) yesterday, we met with friends and traveled south to San Pedro to hang out on the lawn that surrounds the Korean Bell of Friendship. Sitting high on the hills and overlooking the broad expanse of the Pacific, we couldn’t have picked a better spot to receive some much needed mid-afternoon ocean breeze. Amidst the beautiful gardens that seemed to be filled with ladybugs, there were many kite flyers with their colorful dragons and fierce looking bugs. We even got to enjoy some music and view a wedding that was taking place right next to the bell. Sitting in the grass, watching the kids wrestle, having a nice conversation with my friend was a perfect completion to a wonderful but hot afternoon.

This elaborately embellished and massive bell and the gorgeous pagoda-like pavillion that houses it, was donated to the people of Los Angeles in 1976 from the people of the Republic of Korea to honor veterans of the Korean War, to commemorate the U.S. bicentennial, and as a memorial of lasting Friendship between our two countries. There are many things to be found in the detailed relief work at the base of the bell, and all the ornate structuring and painting work that went into this is just stunning as you can see by the picture above.

It is a very peaceful place to retreat to for a picnic, to visit with loved ones, or to just lay back on the grass and relax in the sun.

The Korean Bell of Friendship is located in Angels Gate Park (review on that to be coming soon) at:

Gaffey and 37th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731

Visit the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce for more information:

www.sanpedrochamber.com/champint/korenbel.htm

Greater Good Magazine, UC Berkeley, CA

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Not much of a magazine reader (I more enjoy looking at pictures), I surprised myself when I replied to a subscription card I received via some unknown source (God knows how many mailing lists one gets on), and agreed to receive my first issue free of a magazine with the very timely title of Greater Good - The Science of a Meaningful Life.

I don’t think there has been in recent years anyway (in my teens there was The Journal for The Protection of All Beings, and CoEvolution Quaterly...) a magazine that I would or could actually read cover to cover without my mind wandering to various and sundry locations. But I did it with this engrossing publication, all the way through from back to front! Even the message from the editors page in the beginning (something I usually disregard), as I was very curious who these people are who created this intriguing slice of science and optimism.

Just fabulous - l loved it -lots of interesting things being put out there from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. According to their site, they are a “non-profit organization that promotes the study and development of human happiness, compassion and altruism…” Sounds good to me - I look forward to the next issue!

Go check out their site for the Center itself: greatergood.berkeley.edu
For their magazine: www.greatergoodmag.org
And for their Blog, Half Full - The Science of Raising Happy Kids: greatergood.berkeley.edu/half_full

Wire Wrap, Neck Wraps at Chalk It Up, RB, CA

Monday, April 21st, 2008

green tourmalinelarimaramethystj asper

A message from Silvia…

Dear All,

I will be holding 3 Wire Wrapping Sessions and display my newest collection of wire wrapped jewelry for you to enjoy at the Hands on Art Fundraiser “Chalk It Up”.

on Saturday, April 26, 2008
10:00am to 4:00pm at

Parras Middle School
200 North Lucia
Redondo Beach, CA 90278

10:30am to Noon (full)
12:30pm to 2pm (1 space left)
2:30pm to 4pm (open)

The cost of a workshop is $15.00 per person.
All money from the work shop will be donated to Hands on Art.

This is a wonderful opportunity to make something out of the stones, ocean glass, beads or jewels you’ve tucked away and always planned on doing something with. And if you don’t have a special stone, they will be available to purchase for $1. (that’s right, $1!)

For more information please go to

www.southbayhandsonart.org/pages/events.html

See you there!

Silvia

A message from Claudia…

Heart neck wrapEnergy spraysEye pillow Peace

Hey Great Ones!!!

I will sell all my created healing products, such as Therapeutic Herbal Neck Wraps and Eye Pillows, Back/Abdomen Wraps to velcro around your waist. Balancing Energy Sprays, Crystal Heart Pet Charms for our furry ones, and some jewelry for our purse or keychain.

Come stop by and check out our Hands On Art Gallery created by our children and local artists.

Hope to see you there!

Live well, Laugh often and Love Always
Claudia

Melon As Muse

Friday, April 18th, 2008

melon as muse

Path For Peace Labyrinth, Hermosa Beach, CA

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

pathforpeace.jpg

A message from Claudia:

A Path for Peace Labyrinth Walk
Saturday, April 19, 2008
A community Arts Event

Please join us at this community gathering to build peace and walk our sand labyrinth on the beach. We believe that together, we can heal all levels of our lives - from the personal to the global. And so we invite everyone, to join this meditation and celebration.

Learn about and walk a large heart-shaped mound labyrinth that has been designed for this event by
Labyrinth Designer/Artist Annemarie Rawlinson.

Enjoy the wonderful meditation of a guided walk by the ocean.

For more information contact Annemarie at (310) 832-9767

Hear about the campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace. Special guests will share their commitment to this wonderful idea. For more information on this visit www.ThePeaceAlliance.org

Saturday, April 19, 2008

1:00pm Welcome Ceremony

1:00pm - 3:00pm Labyrinth Walk and Peace Celebration

3:15pm Children’s Labyrinth Walk

Everyone is welcome!

The Event will be held on the beach just north of the Hermosa Beach Pier.

For more information, plese visit http://apathforpeace.blogspot.com

Volunteers Are Needed!

I am happy to volunteer at this event to guide the people through their Labyrinth Walk.

Claudia

Feel The Bliss Yoga

bliss-yoga@hotmail.com

(310) 370-3278

Carol Moreno - Therapeutic Massage & Spa Parties

Monday, April 14th, 2008

flowercardGreetings!

I’d like to introduce you to my friend Carol. This is Carol’s business card. She is exceptionally proficient at doing exactly what she states on this card. Carol does not do fluff massage. She has a finely skilled gift that intuits the location of pain and dysfunction, hones in on the source, and begins to successfully remedy the situation. She certainly has gotten me through some pretty painful times in my life and my career, and for that I am most grateful!

She offers her transformative massage sesssions and spa treatments in the most comfortable of atmospheres where she pays close attention to every conceivable detail. Her massage table is the most luxurious I have ever experienced - warm, soft, supportive and cozy. Her studio is beautifully decorated with serene restful colors, ambient lighting, stunning crystals (remember the post back in February called “An Illustrious Gathering of Rocks”?), and rich wooden furnishings. It is very inviting indeed.

Along with the above fabulous offerings, Carol has been organizing these fantastic spa parties at the location of your choice for the past several years. I recently had the opportunity to participate in one of these soirees, and although i was supplying Reflexology services so it was a work day for me, I had an absolute blast. It was fun, the people were lovely (hey, it’s a party, everyone must be in a great mood), and I was able to do the work I love. Everyone at the end of the party decided they needed to do this once a month, and I certainly look forward to the next time! The whole time Carol didn’t miss a beat, everything flowed beautifully, both from the client’s perspective and from a practitioner’s view point, and everyone involved just couldn’t be happier!

Carol has access to a variety of practitioners offering an enticing array of therapeutic modalities, in addition to the more typical spa party fare of nail care, facials and chair massage. Some of her most recent extravaganzas featured, hair and scalp treatments, body polishes, Thai Massage, Yoga classes, guided meditations, psychic readings, and the list goes on. You name it, she can pretty much make it happen (as long as it’s therapeutic, spa related, spiritual or enlightening.) She has organized parties for such occasions as reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, girls night out, and that list goes on as well.

So give her a call or shoot her an email, and she will gladly explore the options with you! You and your guests will be guaranteed an amazing and memorable time for all!

carolmoreno@bigplanet.com

El Dorado Nature Center, Long Beach, CA

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

Naturecenter

Not too long ago my good friend Sara took me and our 4 kids to
El Dorado Nature Center, located just off of the 405 in the fine city of Long Beach.

It was a gorgeous day during the week, it wasn’t too crowded and we enjoyed a fabulous, couple hours hike through the woods - stopping occasionally for lizard, animal, bird and insect sightings (we saw Blue Heron flying over one of the lakes, an owl high up in the trees, lots of turtles and ducks and the prettiest, most sparkly, jade colored beetles imaginable), vistas of the lake, and unusual and not so unusual plant life. I remember it smelling so good out there, and even though you could hear the freeway, it seemed to melt away with every step you took on the trail, until you were in this glorious place completely surrounded by nature. Not something I take the time to do every day, but I am going to try and make a new habit of that. There is nothing like a good hike to change your outlook on things. Even if you are in a great place in your life, I believe it’s always a good thing to get close to nature on a regular basis to maintain balance between all of the many facets of our lives.

The Nature Center gives you the whole package. You can pick from either a one or two mile dirt trail or a 1/4 mile paved path. There is a museum and visitor center, with some interesting dioramas and interactive exhibits, and of course they have a nice little gift shop that the kids will like. There is a broad expanse of land just beyond the parking lot, outside of the trail area where you can picnic at tables, throw a ball around and find some beautiful trees for shade. They offer many volunteer programs, community classes for kids and adults alike and special events, such as their upcoming Evening Campfire on April 18, or Earth Day Celebrations on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20.

You can find more information on their website at www.longbeach.gov/naturecenter

7550 East Spring Street
Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 570-1745

Make sure you check their hours online before you make the trip.
They are closed on Mondays.

Suite 1 Inn, Ojai, CA

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008

shower.jpgMirrorShower End

As if the charming, picturesque, welcoming village of Ojai wasn’t enough in itself to make it the perfect mini vacation destination…

There is also the Suite 1 Inn.

This enchanting little hideaway, tucked into the trees, off of the beaten path that is East Ojai Avenue, is paradise unto itself, with its many artistic intricacies, harmoniously eclectic furnishings, and its completely mood altering aura.

Located approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles, and about an hour and a half away from LAX with no traffic, you couldn’t ask for a better get away!

Lovingly created by two kind-hearted, and exceptionally imaginative artists and massage therapists - Iris and Kirk, this sanctuary for one or two, is the quintessential escape when you need a swift repose - and between the magnificent shower that you won’t ever want to get out of, and the lovely garden with private hot tub, you won’t feel like leaving the premises anytime soon. They offer in suite massage, indoors or out; chilled champagne and roses on request; and exceptional gourmet dining on your private patio or in your room. Tell me, what more could one want?

However, when you are ready to venture out, you can enjoy wandering around the center of town with all of its wonderful galleries, intriguing shops and fine restaurants. Don’t miss taking a stroll through Libby Park, either in the day for a bit of tennis or to listen to some live music, or after dark - a great way to end the evening after a really great meal.

There is a terrific bike/horse path that stretches through town, and
Lake Casitas
isn’t far away to enjoy a day of fun in the sun while swimming, boating or fishing. The ever popular Ojai Wine Festival is hosted there every June, and a variety of other art and music festivals can be found throughout the city, throughout the year. There is also great golf and spa opportunities if that is more to your liking.

Truly a place to fall in love with…

For fabulous pictures of the suite and additional booking information, go to their site at www.suite1innojai.com

602 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-7869

And for more information about the magical city of Ojai, visit www.ci.ojai.ca.us