Wishing you a sweet day with your loved ones!
Have You Experienced the Popular ‘Grotto’ Treatment at The Ivy Day Spa?
February 12, 2015 by
A visit to the spa is always enjoyable, and The Ivy Day Spa encourages you to make your visit even more enjoyable by scheduling it with a group of friends. This spa offers all the typical services you expect, including facials, body scrubs, massages, and manicures, as well as a unique "Grotto" experience that regulars say is unlike anything else they've ever experienced.
The Grotto is best experienced with a group, so gather some friends together for this service. Dressed in beach attire, your group will move through four unique hydrating and moisturizing experiences. You'll start with a clay facial mask and full body exfoliating rub before being "painted" with a soothing aloe vera body mask. Next, you'll begin to walk and swim through the fern and water filled Grotto chambers, which mimic the feeling of being in a hidden tropical pool at the base of a waterfall. Relax and move slowly through the chambers, giving your skin time to absorb the moisture!
The Ivy Day Spa
24320 Town Center Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 260-1244
www.theivydayspa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-ivy-day-spa-valencia
How to Help Your Child Learn to Ride a Bicycle
February 5, 2015 by
If your child is bored with training wheels and wants to learn to ride an adult bike, you likely have a number of concerns. However, as long as you keep safety and comfort in mind, teaching your kid to ride a bicycle can be a quick, painless process. Follow these helpful tips to best instruct your child how to push off, pedal, and cruise on his or her new "big kid" bike.
- Safety first. Before you do anything else, get your child properly fitted for the right bicycle helmet. Even if he or she already has a helmet, it’s very important to have one that fits properly and provides the adequate amount of protection for learning to ride a bike. You can do this at just about any bicycle supply shop or sporting goods store.
- Scout locations. When it comes to riding a bike for the first time, location is key. You want to find a flat, paved street or parking lot with no traffic or a low, gently sloping, grassy hill, depending on your child’s preference. Show him or her both areas and see which feels more comfortable.
- Prepare the bike. You can’t just remove your child’s training wheels and expect him or her to speed away. Take off the training wheels and then begin by removing the pedals and lower the seat. Begin by showing your child how to balance, brake, and turn on the bike with no pedals, and then put the pedals back on. This is the final stage, so get the camera ready!
How To: Ride a Bike [Real Simple]
Teaching a Child How to Ride a Bike [REI]
How to Lean to Ride a Bike in 15 Minutes [Better Homes & Gardens]
Teaching a Kid (and Adult) to Ride a Bicycle [iBike]
Teaching Your Child to Ride a Bike [Disney Family]
Fab Hot Dogs: Franks Inspired By the Nation’s Eclectic Fares
January 29, 2015 by
Chef Joe Fabrocini, owner of Fab Hot Dogs, traveled the nation exploring each region’s different hot dogs and sausages before returning to the West Coast to found his own hot dog restaurant. Locals say the management and staff of the Valencia branch, an offshoot of Fabrocini's flagship eatery, are even friendlier and more helpful than those of the original location. When it comes to the food, however, regulars like the way the sausage casing on the all-beef hot dogs snaps when you bite into it. Popular menu items at Fab Hot Dogs include the Chicago dog, the Carolina dog, the cheese Coney, the Ripper, the LA Street dog and the grilled chicken and Swiss sandwich.
Specialty dogs are available in regular and foot-long sizes. Locals say that Fab Hot Dogs is reasonably priced and delivery orders arrive quickly. Fab Hot Dogs is open Sundays through Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Fab Hot Dogs
28255 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 607-0333
www.fabhotdogs.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/fab-hot-dogs-valencia
How to Use Rubbing Alcohol Around the Home
January 22, 2015 by
You likely rely on rubbing alcohol to treat cuts and scrapes, but did you know that this medicine cabinet staple has uses beyond the bathroom? Here are three lesser-known uses for rubbing alcohol:
1) Tackle tough ink stains
Pre-treat ink stains by dabbing the area with rubbing alcohol. It's also said that rubbing alcohol can prevent ring around the collar: Simply swipe your neck with a cotton ball dampened with rubbing alcohol before dressing. Note, though, that this can be drying to the skin, so apply sparingly.
2) Clean your gadgets
You probably already use alcohol to disinfect your toothbrushes and thermometers, but you can also use rubbing alcohol to clean your electronics. Dampen a lint-free cloth with a small amount of rubbing alcohol, and use it to wipe down your cell phones, keyboard, computer mouse, and tablets.
3) De-grease the kitchen
Rubbing alcohol makes easy work of removing grease from around the kitchen. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a paper towel, and wipe down countertops and stovetops. The rubbing alcohol helps dissolve the grease and grime left behind by cooking.
12 Ways to Use Rubbing Alcohol [Reader's Digest]
25 Alternative Uses for Rubbing Alcohol [Daily Finance]
35 Uses for Rubbing Alcohol [Fluster Buster]
Rubbing Alcohol Uses: Ideas For Using The All-Purpose Household Cleaner [HuffPost Green]
Sip a Latte at These Independent Coffeeshops in Los Angeles
January 15, 2015 by
If you’re looking for the perfect spot for a morning meeting or to catch up with friends, Los Angeles’s many independent coffee shops are charming alternatives to the large chain options. Here are just two great indie coffee houses in the L.A. area.
Balconi Coffee Company
Located in L.A.’s Sawtelle neighborhood, Balconi Coffee Company is an art-filled coffee shop with bright red walls and comfortable seating. Balconi uses a unique siphon process to brew each roast, and though it takes a bit longer than typical brewing, it’s well worth it once you take that first sip. Regulars love the Almond Essence latte, but the menu also includes a variety of more traditional espresso drinks as well. Whether you prefer black coffee with subtle undertones or a milky latte to wake you up in the morning, Balconi Coffee Company's baristas can craft it with true expertise.
Spring for Coffee
Spring for Coffee sources all of its beans from high quality roasters to ensure the best tasting cup, and it offers a wide variety of brewing methods and equipment to meet each customer’s individual preferences. The shop itself is located in bustling downtown Los Angeles, and its interior is very quaint and cozy. The long wooden bar features a few pastries in addition to its coffees, and the stylish, comfortable outdoor seating is perfect for a sunny California afternoon.
Egg Plantation: An Egg-cellent Breakfast Spot
January 8, 2015 by
Egg Plantation is a Valencia breakfast restaurant that is famous for its 101 delicious omelets, a dream come true for any breakfast lover. This charming eatery is housed in a breezy, flower-covered building with a quaint outdoor patio with umbrella-covered tables. Inside is even more seating and local art on the walls for sale.
Although its extensive omelet selection is the restaurant’s main draw, the menu also lists a number of other delicious dishes. Waffles, eggs Benedict, and sweet or savory crepes are just a few of the most popular items on the menu. The full espresso bar will provide fuel for your morning, or, if you prefer, you can sip a handcrafted bloody Mary or another breakfast cocktail.
Egg Plantation is open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. It gets very crowded on the weekends, so show up early to avoid a wait.
Egg Plantation
24415 Walnut Street
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
(661) 255-8222
www.eggplantation.com
www.yelp.com/biz/egg-plantation-santa-clarita
Eggs N Things: Enjoy a Local Breakfast Institution
December 22, 2014 by
Eggs N Things has been serving breakfast and lunch to Ventura County residents since 1974. Regulars recommend the Swedish pancakes, which are free with the purchase of breakfast. Other favorite dishes include the fresh baked cinnamon roll French toast, the thick Belgian waffles, the chicken enchilada omelet, the chicken fried steak and eggs, and the fruit cups. Customers also enjoy the breakfast meats served here.
Most customers praise the exemplary service at Eggs N Things. As an added plus, the restaurant is close to Magic Mountain and Universal Studios theme parks.
Eggs N Things is open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Eggs N Things
27560 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 702-8664
www.eggsnthings.net
www.yelp.com/biz/eggs-n-things-valencia
The Skinny on Fats: 5 Facts You Need to Know
December 18, 2014 by
When it comes to losing weight and maintaining a healthy diet, calories aren’t the only things that you should be concerned with. Fats are an essential part of a healthy eating plan, but if consumed in excess they can also be very dangerous. Here are five key facts about fats.
- There are four main types of fats: saturated fats, trans fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. As a general rule, saturated fats and trans fats are the “bad” fats, and they should be avoided.
- All fats contain nine calories per gram, no matter which type of fat it is. Just because monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are better for you, they can still cause you to gain weight just as quickly as the “bad” fats if not limited.
- Fats are necessary because they promote cell growth, protect your organs, and give your body energy.
- Even if a pre-packaged food is labeled “trans fat-free,” it might still contain saturated fats, and vice versa. Real, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats are always a healthier choice.
- Fats are a major part of a healthy diet, it just depends on which foods you choose. Things like vegetable oils, nuts, fish, legumes, avocados, and low-fat dairy products are good sources of healthy fats.
Know Your Fats [American Heart Association]
Different Types of Fat [Health Check]
Choosing Healthy Fats [HealthGuide.org]
Fats 101 [American Heart Association]
Happy Holidays!
December 15, 2014 by
We wish you and your loved ones all a very happy and safe holiday season.
Equal Housing Opportunity