Wild Flowers in Snow Canyon State Park

Wild Flowers in Snow Canyon State Park

By John Ibach, Director of Outdoor Recreation

Every spring we look forward to the wild flower bloom. The rain and snow that falls through the fall winter and early spring dictates not only how many blooms we see but also the types of flowers we are most likely to see. While every spring we may not see the same flowers there a few that bloom fairly consistently even in the worst of droughts. Desert Marigold, Penstetmon (beard-tongue), Castilleja (Indian Paintbrush), Spectacle Pod, Purple Sage, Globe Mallow, Sacred Datura, Creosote bush and, of course, the cactus will be seen throughout the park. The Marigold will bloom in early April and even earlier if we get warm temperatures. Primrose is also one on of the earliest bloomers. There are many other small ground hugging plants, too numerous to name here, that also bloom early in the spring and put on quite a show for those paying attention.  

The cactus - Prickly Pear, Beavertail, Cholla, Narrow Leaf Yuccas, Broad Leaf Yuccas, Purple Torch and Agave - make their appearance in the first couple weeks of April and while it is spectacular it is also short lived. It always amazes me how such a seemingly rough plant can produce such a delicate flower. The blooming cactus can also be home to various animals for instance the Wren makes its nest in the Cholla cactus one of the thorniest plants in our desert. It is a sight to behold this display of color and inspiring to witness life survive and flourish in this seemingly harsh environment.

West Coast Workout with Tammy Stokes

West Coast Workout with Tammy Stokes

February 29–March 3

“We are excited to bring one of the fitness world’s most creative and energetic exercise instructors to Red Mountain resort," said Dr. Brad Crump, Red Mountain Health Services Manager. "Tammy’s West Coast Workout routines are designed for the very fit as well as the beginner to exercise.  Her 'no excuses workout' is endorsed by Dr. Oz, and Tammy will be providing the same instruction as she does as a regular on the Dr. Oz show.”

Here is a taste of what our guests will experience with Tammy.

Join Tammy for invigorating hikes, sculpting workouts and motivating talks about life and her new book, "Live Your Healthiest Life." Visit our daily activity schedule for details.

About Tammy

Tammy Stokes is a motivational speaker, living proof of her brand and a firm believer that health is your pathway to happiness. She is a lifestyle expert and a successful author. Her book is sold through national book retailers and health food stores including Whole Foods Markets.

Tammy is the founder of West Coast Workout, Lifestyle Fitness Studios. Her program is the most comprehensive and unique lifestyle approach to balanced living. She has spent over 25 years in the industry influencing thousands of people, shaping attitudes, designing bodies and changing lives.

She has worked with experts and celebrities such as, Dr. Oz, Dr. Mark Hyman (regular contributor to the Dr. Oz Show), The Miss USA organization, John Travolta, Dancing With The Stars, Carson Kressely and professional athletes. She presents her program at national conferences and major corporations including the SKIRT National conference, Morris Publishing, Lululemon Athletica and the Georgia Lottery.

Brûlée Banana Split

Brûlée Banana Split

Banana Split Ingredients
½ Banana
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. fresh berries
1 Tbsp. vanilla bean ice cream
1 Tbsp. fruit sorbet
1 Tbsp. chocolate sauce
1 Tbsp. agave caramel sauce (recipe below)
1 Tbsp. raspberry-pomegranate coulis (recipe below)

Banana Split Directions

1. Peel and quarter banana lengthwise; coat with brown sugar and caramelize with a torch.

2. Put two banana quarters in bowl; top with vanilla bean ice cream and fruit sorbet.

3. Sprinkle with fresh berries, drizzle with agave caramel, raspberry-pomegranate and chocolate sauces.

Agave Caramel Sauce Ingredients

6 Tbsp. water
6 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. agave syrup
¼ cup cream
2 Tbsp. butter

Agave Caramel Sauce Directions

1. Combine water, sugar, and agave syrup. Cook to a light caramel.

2. Stand back and add cream, stirring to blend.

3. Stir in butter.

4. Cool.

Raspberry-Pomegranate Coulis Ingredients

6 Tbsp. raspberries, frozen
1 Tbsp. pomegranate juice
1 Tbsp. fructose (or sugar)

Raspberry-Pomegranate Coulis Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pot.

2. Simmer over low medium heat until all the raspberries are broken down.

3. Puree and strain.

Sweet Feet At-Home Spa

Sweet Feet At-Home Spa

By Myrna Beardshear, Director of Spa, Fitness & Health

Our feet need as much love as the rest of our body. Many times we forget that we also need to pamper them, mainly if we've had a hard day at work.

To nurture your feet, combine an even amount of honey and sugar. Apply the mixture to your feet and soak your feet in warm water. The scrub is helpful to alleviate callus formation and also acts as a powerful antibacterial agent. Results will be smooth, healthy and clean sweet feet.

Burn it UP!!

Burn it UP!!

By Kim Watters, Fitness Manager

If you want to burn up the fat try high intensity activity coupled with lower intensity activity. According to the International Journal of Obesity, interval training or high-intensity intermittent exercise training is a more effective way to burn fat then an extended session of steady lower intensity (aerobic) activity. So, mix it up to burn it up.

Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Begin with 1 minute of high intensity work (such as a sprints or jumps), followed by 2 minutes of low intensity exercise (like walking). Alternate this activity several times for 15-30 minutes.

If watching your watch is not your thing, good news, your intervals do not have to be timed. This works especially well if you choose to workout outside.

For instance, you could run, jump or skip to something in the distance (like a tree, fence post or street light) then slow it down to recover. Make sure to alternate this activity several times for 15-30 minutes.

You’re the personal trainer now, so you decide how hard to workout during your intervals. You will need to motivate yourself to work harder than usual during your high intensity sets and then allow yourself to actively recover during your lower intensity sets.

Interval training is a great way to mix up your exercise routine, increase results and burn more fat.

The Luxury of Milk

The Luxury of Milk

For thousands of years bathing in milk has been popular as a beauty treatment. Once, a luxury in which only the wealthy could indulge, anyone can enjoy the benefits of milk treatments today.

The milk bath makes skin feel softer and more resilient. This is because the lactic acid in milk acts like alpha hydroxyl acids by dissolving the proteins that bind together dead skin cells. A milk bath in combination with an loofah will leave skin feeling soft and fresh.

All types of milk—cow, soy, goat—have similar benefits, but whole milk is preferable for beauty treatments because it contains more hydrating fat proteins.

Soak your skin to softness: On your next trip to the supermarket pick up a box of powdered whole milk, add to your bath water until it turns milky-white and soak like Cleopatra.

Who Inspires You?

Who Inspires You?

Red Mountain offers our guests Inspiration Cards, a way to jot a few words to reflect and express who has inspired them while they are surrounded in our magical red rocks. I’ve seen countless expressions of how the team at Red Mountain have helped our guests live a healthier life, challenge themselves to hike a little higher, and conquer the fears that hold them back from change.

However, this week, one especially made me smile from ear to ear. A guest wrote his wife’s name and shared that she inspired him today by being the woman today and every day that he has loved for 35 years.

Doesn’t it make you just say “awwwwwwwwh”? It does me. And as I contemplate this Inspiration Card on my desk, I realize what a gift it is to be inspired, and to be inspiring, to my family and loved ones. Today, it makes me truly realize that while we often wait for the big epiphanies in our lives to help guide us, it’s more likely the little things that we share with each other out of love and respect that are truly inspiring. Indeed, it is a responsibility to be an inspiration, especially when it comes to our loved ones health and happiness. 35 years of inspiration! This is one lucky couple, and today, they have inspired me too!

An Interview with Life Coach Cindy Clemens

An Interview with Life Coach Cindy Clemens

Why do you think life coaching is growing in popularity?
As a profession, life coaching is gaining popularity because so many people are tired of being stressed, strained and exhausted from their out of control lives. They know there is a better way to live, but they need a guide to help them set priorities, say no to the energy drains in their lives, and overcome the fears and doubts that keep them stuck. A life coach is that guide. Since so many guests visit spas to get a break from their overwhelming lives, it makes sense they would enjoy connecting with a life coach to learn ways to reduce the overwhelm when they return home.

What are people looking for when you start working with them?
Guests have usually heard the term "life coach" but most are not sure what it means. So their first interest is to find out more about what a life coach does. That is why Red Mountain provides the guests with a chance to have Lunch with a Professional or attend the Fire Ceremony to ask questions and find out more. Many of them do decide to attend the life strategy workshops or have a private session. They are looking for concrete tools to take back home to make more room for themselves and a plan for implementing their heartfelt dreams and goals. I am able to really listen to them, provide feedback and probing questions and motivate them to take action – that’s what they want to happen.