Posted By Blanca on May 15, 2012

On Friday, I took one look at my toenails and realized I needed a pedicure for the open toes sandals I would be wearing on Sunday. I like my polish to be fresh always.

OK, my own nail spa didn’t have an opening, So I decided to venture out and go elsewhere (my dear friend Donna thought this was way too funny) I walked into a nail salon and was able to get in right away. The moment I sat down my technician turned on the jets, before I had a chance to tell her no. The inside of the foot tubs have pipes that if not cleaned and sanitized after each use, they are grounds for dead skin and bacteria buildup. There’s expensive high end, pipe-less systems, but I doubted this was one of them.

For my foot exfoliation she pulled the famous “porous” foot pumice scrubber out of her apron. According to State Board, if it can’t be sanitized, it needs to be thrown away. When the lady next to me was finished, I noticed how the outside tub was cleaned. It was washed with Palmolive soap and then rinsed and immediately filled and the following client sat down.  If the salon is putting one client after another into the foot bowl, that’s a red flag that your feet may be vulnerable to an infection.

When cleanliness is not a priority, foot infections can run uncontrolled. Customers can walk out with more than pretty toes, they can pick up toenail fungus, and skin fungus, warts and even life-threatening bacterial diseases from dirty tools or foot baths. The tub needs to be cleaned with an antibacterial soap and then rinsed, next a disinfectant needs to be sprayed and left for 10 minutes. We use Mikro-BAC , a hospital grade disinfectant,   which is above and beyond what state board requires. We also do not have foot tubs with pipes; we have beautiful marble tubs that are sanitized after each use. The scrubbers we use are stainless steel.

I invite you to demand that nail salons clean and use proper sanitation procedures, or seek  a  reputable spa/salon where health and safety standards are a priority. We all deserve a safe pedicure experience!

Spa Smiles,

Blanca Caballero
Spa Founder/ Director

Category: Foot Care | No Comments »
Tags: Foot care, Fungus, Pedicure safety standards, Pretty toes, Safe Pedicure, What to look out for before a pedicure

Posted By Blanca on March 18, 2012

Last night I decided to cook quinoa in my zojirushi rice cooker, I followed the same ratios called  for rice and added chicken broth, garlic and pepper.  To my surprise, it turned out the best I have ever had, It was fluffier than ever!  I am trying to eat more quinoa,  but still prefer rice. One of our Estheticians at the spa  is always seen eating quinoa  at every lunch break  mixed with some protein ( and she has lost tons of weight).

A couple of  years ago, I  purchased this rice cooker to cook what it’s called Gaba brown rice ( germinated brown rice) A nutritionally superior method of preparation that involves soaking washed brown rice for many hours in warm water ( 93 °F) prior to cooking it. My cooker does this automatically, but it takes time, if I  would remember in the morning,  then it would be  ready for dinner. My planning skills often failed, so now, quinoa  here I come!

With the  quinoa leftovers, today I decided to do a "Quinoa stir fry" for lunch, instead of the typical  "rice stir fry". I sautéed all kinds of vegetables at hand in garlic olive oil and a dash of sesame seed oil, pepper and finished it with soy sauce, it was delicious!

If you have any creative ways to use Quinoa, please post. I’d love to her about it.

Happy  healthy cooking!

Blanca Caballero
Spa Owner/ Director

Category: Healthy Recipes | No Comments »
Tags: gaba brown rice, healthy spa cooking, quinoa

Posted By Blanca on January 2, 2012

I started this year being grateful.  I just returned from the grocery store with overfilled, very heavy bags. Instead of complaining as I was carrying them, I thought about how grateful I was to buy all that food and not worry about the cost. So many  people have nothing to eat due to lack of money. The bags no longer felt as heavy.

Today the spa was fully booked as many clients were off,  so for a minute I thought that we should have planned for more coverage. I stopped myself and felt very grateful for all the clients we had that enjoyed our services.

The more  grateful I am, the happier I become.  My only resolution is to  re-start  my nightly ritual  of writing 5 things I am grateful for- every night.

May your new year be filled with joy and gratitude,

Blanca Caballero

Category: Spa Story | 4 Comments »
Tags: grateful, gratitude, new year attitude

Posted By Blanca on November 14, 2011

Just returned from my favorite conference called ISPA. This year over 2,000 spa professionals from around the globe gathered to learn and share the spa experience, look for new products and equipment.

This year it was held at Mandalay Bay, Vegas.Oooh boy, it was a long walk from our room to reach the convention center, especially when you carry back so many full sized samples of the latest products!

I have been attending for the past 10+years. Now, It’s like a family reunion, I ran   into Lara with Pebble Beach Spa and the funny Chris with Bernardus Lodge and smiley Nancy Griffin. Had dinner with my friend Peggy with Preston Wynne Spa and with my best friend  Ellen Clark, a successful owner of 2  skincare companies. Attending  conference is my way to connect and look for reinvention, renewal and inspiration.

Every time I hear Deborah Szekely ( pictured)  the grandmother of spas, speak  of her vision of a better world- I’m inspired. Deborah is 89 years young and lives the spa life daily.  This years message was to educate to eradicate childhood obesity. 

My daughter Jessica is my companion, she is fun to travel with, if I forget a makeup item, I know she’ll have it!  On the last night of conference, there’s always a party  and she is my private makeup artist, this year she an I had BIG lashes and looked smashing. She has made friends of her age and they partied the night away while I went back to the room to get much needed ZZZZzzzz.

To our surprise, the Latin Grammy’s were to take place in the hotel the day after we left and we got to see the mobs  looking to take pictures of the stars.  You should have seen the beautifully dressed women the night of the private Shakira concert.

I am now unpacking the samples, reading my notes and remembering some ideas I would like to implement. Visit our Facebook page where you will find many pics of conference.

Spa Smiles,

Blanca Caballero
Spa Owner/Director
 

Category: Spa Story | No Comments »
Tags: ISPA2011, spa conference

Posted By Blanca on September 2, 2011

Last night I received a frantic  call from a  longtime team member, she needed me to come over to her house asap. As I was driving, a  million things came to my mind, was she sick? was her apartment being broken into? 

When I arrived, I heard the devastating news- my dearest friend Christine, former AvantGard team member and colleague, had suddenly died at the young age of 38. She  began her spa career at AvantGard before embarking to fulfill  her own dream. She was the owner of Destino Spa, located in Palo Alto.

We gathered at  her husbands home in shock and disbelief. She had gone to New York with her mom for a  long weekend  to visit family.

It is hard to describe Christine in words, let me try- she was immensely generous, hard working, positive, energetic, her heart was full of love and her glass was never empty.  She was the true friend you could count on. As I was refelecting  and mourning today, the message was very clear-  live each day as a gift, you might not have tomorrow.

Rest in peace Christine. I will forever miss you. Blanca

Category: Spa Story | 3 Comments »
Tags: life is a gift, loss of friend

Posted By Blanca on July 16, 2011

I love tabouli, I make a large batch and eat it several times a week. This recipe is very flexible, you can add or remove some ingredients and it still comes out delicious. I buy the cracked wheat at The European Turkish Market in Burlingame.
If you go, make sure to pick up a bag of  Turkish Antep pistachios. They are the best I have ever tasted!

Tabouli Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup fine cracked wheat
• 1/2 cup minced fresh mint or cilantro leaves
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 3 small roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup broccoli slaw
• 2 cucumbers, seeded and diced ( I prefer persian, no need to seed those)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste
• 1 teaspoons sea salt ( I use Hymalayan salt)
• Pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon Chia super-food seeds
• Sprinkle of garlic powder

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, pour the water over the cracked wheat and cover, let stand about 20 minutes until wheat is tender and water is absorbed. Add the chopped herbs and vegetables and toss with the mix. Combine the oil, lemon juice, pepper, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to wheat mixture and mix well.  Serve and enjoy.

For inspiration, all I have to do is sit in the breakroom and watch my teams healthy meals. Last week,  I noticed Jessica McBride our spa concierge made it with quinoa. Great idea, I have to try that next!

Category: Healthy Recipes | No Comments »
Tags: healthy salads, spa cuisine, tabouli salad

Posted By Blanca on June 29, 2011

Serums work quicker and better, they are lightweight and similar to a gel. They are water-soluble with smaller molecules and higher concentration of active ingredients. Serums can contain vitamins, anti-oxidants, peptides and super hydrator hyluronic acid, exfoliating acids or skin brightening ingredients to address every skin concern.

Serums VS Moisturizers, which should you use?

Both have different purposes, moisturizers help moisturize the surface by replacing much needed lipids (natural oils) especially on dry skin. Most moisturizers have some oil and the molecular structure is larger so it does not penetrate as deeply.

I recommend using both- first apply serum to face and neck and wait 10-minutes to allow it to penetrate. Follow by your moisturizer to seal.

Try a serum and see the difference on your skin. Ask your Esthetician for a recommendation. We offer complimentary skin analysis and consultations.

Blanca~

Category: Skin Care | No Comments »
Tags: ingredients, serum, skin, Skin Care

Posted By Blanca on June 16, 2011

There are approximately 250,000 sweat glands in a pair of feet, and they can excrete as much as half a pint of moisture each day. Imagine that?

Follow these tips to have sandal worthy feet:

1.- Change to leather. Feet do not like plastic insoles, they can’t breathe and sweat profusely, add a leather insole. I like the Taco Leather brand, it’s thin enough to add to any shoe.

2.- Wash your feet daily with an antibacterial soap. Yes, it’s  time to buy the soap you would not want on your entire body, like Zest or Dial. I like to use a back scrubber to reach my feet.

3.- Do not wear the same shoes daily, alternate  and leave them sprinkled with a deodorant foot powder.

4.- Create a night-time ritual and apply callus smoothing products. The ingredient to look for is Urea.

5.- Scrub your heels once per week to eliminate those ugly heel calluses. Your sheets will appreciate that!

6.-To control smelly feet, you need to control sweat. Sweat is basically just salt and water, so it doesn’t have a distinctive smell of its own. The smell is actually caused by bacteria on our skin that eats the sweat and excretes waste that has a strong odor.  Summer is the time when our feet perspire more so they smell more.

7.- Apply an antiperspirant/deodorant on your feet like an underarm deodorant.  I find Mitchum Power Gel to be the most effective choice.

8.- Exfoliate your feet weekly with a nice exfoliating scrub ( we carry plenty of wonderful products) or make your own with sea salt, a little cooking  oil and 4 drops of peppermint essential oil.

Come in for a Pedicure and check out the extensive European Gehwol Foot Care line we carry. The company has been around since 1868, so they know a thing or two about foot care

Enjoy your Summer,

~Blanca

Category: Massage | No Comments »
Tags: calluses, feet, sweaty feet

Posted By Blanca on May 26, 2011

Today I had the best morning- I was "fluffing" the products at the reception area and here comes Cheryl, a client I used to provide services to, 16 + years ago when  I was a practicing Esthetician. Her memory put mine to shame, it was  sharp as a thumb tack.  She started to ask me: Are you still with Byron? ( my old boyfriend) How is your son? Is he still in Phoenix?

Cheryl: remember when I  was afraid for you when you wanted to expand the first time? I didn’t think you were making the right choice.

Me: OHH, yes Cheryl  I remember, and thank goodnees I didn’t  listen to you.  Because of your comment, I went out to prove you wrong ( laughter).

Cheryl: From here forward,  I will keep my mouth shut! (laughter)

Then I ran into Julia, my  very first bookkeeper; at that time, I had no money to count and  had  a few receipts to enter.  I used to do my own paperwork ( and I hated every minute of it)  I asked about Steve her husband ( I did remember his name). I even tried to help her with a lipstick purchase, but then decided, that my daughter Jessica would  do better, she is younger and knows the current trends.

Then I heard from Susan,  a former staff member  that I absolutely love,  and have kept in contact. She is considering moving back  to the area and wanted to know  If I  would "take her back, because you have me spoiled, I don’t want to work for anyone else, you are the absolute best, and  you know me, I am not saying this to get my job back"

Of course!! she is one of those wonderful, delightful people that radiates positive energy  and makes your day.  Please come back and make my day. I will be here waiting….

Category: Spa Story | No Comments »
Tags: day, positive energy, spa client

Posted By Blanca on May 22, 2011

I was reading an article about cleaning your clutter to find your life, got inspired and I finished my bathroom drawers.  I have been avoiding this project like the plague. Wow, I didn’t think I had that much, and didn’t realize how long it’s been since I did it last.

I get LOTS of samples throughout the year, companies love giving me face creams, scrubs, lotions and potions in hopes that I fall in love with their line and become a great account. And of course, I have discovered many products that way.  I love trying samples, but how many can I try on my face? I found like 15 samples of eye creams and I only have 2 eyeballs!

It can become stressful; every night I have to decide what to do,  Is it an apple stem cell night or a glycolic cream night?  Should I try the Swiss  or the French line? Love my skin, it’s very patient and tough, never gets red or angry.

I discovered sunless lotions, hair gels, old shampoos, brushes that I will never use, and all those samples of hotel amenities that I bring home in case I need them during my next trip – of course not.

I was ruthless; I disposed all those lip-glosses, eyeliners, blushes and wrong color eye makeup.  I left only what I really wear, well…..maybe a little more

I also filled a huge bag of great re-usable beauty products, that I will take to spa and place on the FREE bin in the break room. They will be gone by the end of the day, and it will fill someone else’s drawer. No longer my problem.

The article said I would find my life.  I do feel lighter and accomplished and for sure, I found more drawers space for the next batch of samples

Blanca Caballero

Category: Massage | 3 Comments »
Tags: clutter, face creams, products, spa