Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Green Valley Salon & Spa Soon to Offer Services by Norcal Medical Spa!

We are happy to announce that beginning January 3rd, 2011, NorCal Medical Spa is collaborating with Green Valley Salon and Spa!

We are excited about this adventure because it allows us to provide you new services that will enable you to build yourself from the inside out!
In addition to our already existing services, Green Valley Salon & Spa will now have the capability, through NorCal Medical Spa, to offer Botox, a Weight Loss Program and Zerona Laser Liposuction, just to name a few.

The Following Services Will Be Available Beginning January 3rd:

 

  • Botox
  • Restylane
  • Perlane
  • Juvederm
  • Radiesse
  • Zerona Fat Burning Laser Treatment
  • Weight Loss Program

ZERONA laser liposuction was featured on Extra! See the footage below.
To learn more about Zerona, visit http://www.myzerona.com

Quick and Easy Results with Botox and Filler

 Botox

 

We  look forward to this collaboration with Norcal Medical Spa!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Facebook Fans of the Week

Congratulations to this week’s Facebook Fans of the Week!

This week’s winners are:

Fresno – Leticia A

Walnut Creek – Patricia F

Palo Alto – Meredith H

For a chance to become a fan of the week, simply become a fan of your favorite location.

I Bar Fresno

I Bar Palo Alto

I Bar Walnut Creek

I Bar Emeryville

Green Valley Salon and Spa

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Egg Nog Recipe

Nothing says Happy Holidays like a glass filled with Egg Nog!

Here are some recipes – both with and with alcohol – to share this Holiday Season.

Picture of Eggnog Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
  • 1 pint whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 ounces bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 4 egg whites*

 

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.

Cook's Note: For cooked eggnog, follow procedure below.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. With the mixer running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture.

Makes 6-7 cups.


Non-Alcoholic Egg Nog

Ingredients

6 fresh eggs*
1 cup granulated sugar, divided use
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Freshly grated nutmeg for sprinkling

Directions

In large bowl, beat whites until fluffy; add 1/2 cup sugar.

In an another larger bowl beat yolks until creamy; add 1/2 cup sugar. Fold egg whites into beaten yolks. Carefully stir in the cream, milk and nutmeg. Pour into a large punch bowl.

To serve, ladle into cups and sprinkle top with nutmeg, as desired.

Makes 6 servings.

*RAW EGG WARNING
Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs due to the slight risk of salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly refrigerated, clean grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Holiday Hours

Happy Holidays!

Please note that the following hours are in affect at the following locations:

I Bar Fresno

Dec 20 – Dec 23 – 9 am to 9 pm
Dec 24 – 9 am to 5 pm
Dec 26 – 11 am to 5 pm
Dec 27 – Dec 30 – 10 am to 7 pm
Dec 31 – 10 am to 5 pm

I Bar Walnut Creek

Dec 20 – Dec 23 – 9 am to 9 pm
Dec 24 – 10 am to 5 pm
Dec 26 – 10 am to 7 pm
Dec 27 – Dec 30 – 10 am to 9 pm
Dec 31 – 10 am to 5 pm

Green Valley Salon and Spa

Dec 24 – 9 am to 4 pm
Dec 25 – Dec 30 – Regular Hours
Dec 31 – 9 am to 4 pm
Jan 1 – CLOSED

We hope you enjoy the Holiday season with your family!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Facebook Fans of the Week

 

Congratulations to this week’s Facebook Fans of the Week!

This week’s winners are:

Fresno – Kimberly A

Walnut Creek – Pat W

Palo Alto – Naomi S

 

For a chance to become a fan of the week, simply become a fan of your favorite location.

I Bar Fresno

I Bar Palo Alto

I Bar Walnut Creek

I Bar Emeryville

Green Valley Salon and Spa

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

“Countdown to Christmas” Specials–10 Days of Specials at i Bar and Green Valley Salon & Spa

There are only 10 shopping days left before Christmas!

To help you finish shopping for those on your list, we are kicking off  Countdown to Christmas.

Countdown to Christmas will provide you a daily deal for the next 10 days via Facebook. If you have not already, become a fan of your favorite i Bar location or Green Valley Salon & Spa (links below) and you will not only find out about the current deal of the day, but also receive special Facebook only announcements as well as have the opportunity to be our Facebook Fan of the Week and win prizes!

Hop on over to Facebook now to find out about today’s deal of the day!

Each daily deal is only available for ONE day so don’t wait - get shopping once you find a deal you like!

I Bar Fresno

I Bar Palo Alto

I Bar Walnut Creek

I Bar Emeryville

Green Valley Salon and Spa

Friday, December 10, 2010

Facebook Fans of the Week

Congratulations
to this week’s fans of the week!!

This week’s Facebook Fans of the week are….

Walnut Creek – Janis P

Palo Alto – Mimi M

Fresno – Sallie A

Would you like the chance to be i Bar’s Facebook Fan of the week? It is as simple as becoming a Facebook Fan for your local i Bar.

I Bar Fresno

I Bar Palo Alto

I Bar Walnut Creek

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Top 10 Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress

These great tips were recently shared by NorthBay Women's Health Coach Suzanne Goodwin, RN, BSN, and they were just too helpful to not share with all of you!

Visit NorthBay’s Spirit of Women website for more great articles - http://womenshealth.northbay.org

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before you become a victim of holiday stress overload, try implementing some of Suzanne's top 10 ways to reduce winter stress and lighten up so that you can walk on sunshine once again.

1. Laughter/humor

Children laugh on the average of at least 300 times per day and adults laugh about 15 times per day. Multiple studies over many years have proven that humor, and laughter, heals. Laughter decreases pain, brings lowers cortisol levels, increases immune system and relaxes the muscles, nerves and mind.  Smiling is the easiest way to instantly relax and a daily smile at each other can change a situation from negative to positive for both the giver and the receiver. Smile often and watch the world change and your perception change along with it, while your stress level subtly subsides.

2. Self care

Taking care of yourself during the holiday season will decrease stress. How often do you take a long and luxurious bath, or go for a spa treatment or massage? Pamper yourself this holiday season! Don't put yourself at the bottom of the list. You must first take care of you before you can take care of others effectively. Take yourself lightly and learn to laugh at yourself often!

3. Love friends and family

Love is patient and kind, and is the first and foremost emotion we share. Love is also a choice that we can make towards others. Spend time with those you love, and allow those you love to love you in return. Surround yourself with friends and family during the holidays and do not isolate yourself. Use humor and laughter often in your loving relationships

4. Exercise

Exercise at least 30 minutes daily. Studies have shown that daily exercise, even if broken into 10 minute segments, three times daily will benefit your overall health. Check with your physician before beginning any type of exercise program, especially if you have health issues or are overweight.

5. Maintain a healthy diet

With food and beverage temptations lurking around every corner, this can be one of the most difficult seasons to maintain a healthy diet. Try to emphasize the basics; drinking adequate water, avoiding excessive calorie consumption, excessive fat and sugar intake, and try keeping a daily journal of your food intake if overeating is a problem.

6. Reframe situation

When stress and activities overwhelm you like a dark storm, step back and look at each situation individually with a new perspective. Keeping the previously mentioned principles in mind such as humor, love and self-care, look at each negative situation and try to reframe or rename it in a positive way. Try to find the humor in what would otherwise be a bad situation.

7. Reorganize priorities

Take a look at everything you do on a daily basis and ask yourself what is important to you in the grand plan of your life. Does this really matter if it is not accomplished today, tomorrow or ever? Look at the items of top importance to you and organize your activities in that order. Do not let the urgent interruptions of your daily routine crowd out the important priorities in your life.

8. Simplify

Once your schedule has been organized with priorities set by what is most important, it's time to simplify. What you can simplify in your life to ease stress and anxiety? Frequently things, whether material or minor activities, can contribute to stress. Extra possessions and activities can begin to dictate and control your life, urgently interrupting what is really important.

9. List/notebook

If you have multiple lists of activities and priorities on your daily schedule, it's helpful to keep a notebook of your priorities. It is also helpful to keep a small notebook handy beside your bed at night to jot down ideas that are keeping you from sleep. Another handy tool is a calendar to keep track of appointments and activities.

10. Meditation/prayer/quite time

Last but not least, take time to meditate, pray, or make some quite time to reflect or reenergize your spiritual side. As you give to others on a daily basis it is imperative that you receive a renewal and nourishing of your spiritual side.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Butter London Color of the Week–Pink Ribbon

Butter London 3 Free Lacquer Nail Paint - Pink Ribbon

“A modern icon that symbolizes breast cancer awareness. “

Pink Ribbon Lacquer is a pale pink with some white and dove gray in it, as far as I can tell. The brand describes it as "a classic "French" pink. Wear it with pride.”

Friday, December 3, 2010

Facebook Fans of the Week

Congratulations to this week’s fans of the week!!

This week’s Facebook Fans of the week are….

Walnut Creek – Kim R

Palo Alto – Sonia Jasuja

Fresno – Amada F

Would you like the chance to be i Bar’s Facebook Fan of the week? It is as simple as becoming a Facebook Fan for your local i Bar.

I Bar Fresno

I Bar Palo Alto

I Bar Walnut Creek

Thursday, December 2, 2010

i Bar Emeryville Grand Opening Celebration This Weekend–FREE EYEBROW THREADING!

Stop by the newest member of the iBar Family – i Bar Emeryville!

i Bar Emeryville is located at the Bay Street Center below the AMC Movie Theater.

 

FreeThreadingSpecial

If you have never been to i Bar or just want to show your support then please stop by this weekend to say hello!

i Bar is open 7 days a week. No appointments necessary for threading.

We hope to see you there!!!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Give Your Skin a Younger, Fresh Look

A Younger Look Is Top Priority

When it comes to skin care, most women focus on reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Although you might not be able to completely cover your already present wrinkles, there are a few things you can do to make them less noticeable. The most important thing to remember is to keep it light!

Fresh, clean skin always appears full of youth. While you might be tempted to pile on concealer and foundation, be warned. Adding layers of makeup on top of these fine lines can be a mistake! Instead, choose a light weight oil free beauty products to give your skin a slight tint. It will give you just enough coverage, without caking in your wrinkle areas. Natural makeup with added moisture is most important when it comes to concealing fine lines. In addition, the extra moisture can help you prevent more lines from appearing in the future.

Hints for Using Concealer Under The Eyes

Another area of concern when trying to look more youthful is the under-eye area. The skin under your eyes is some of the most delicate skin on your body. Therefore, it can easily show wear and tear from stress and skin-abuse. To brighten up the eye area, consider using a small amount of concealer directly under your eye. This can help you with under-eye circles. Use a tint one-shade lighter than your foundation and blend it well. To apply the concealer (or any other product to this area of your face) be sure to use your ring finger and pat the product on. Your ring finger will apply the least amount of pressure. Other fingers can be too rough and actually damage the delicate skin in the area.

After applying the concealer and a light dusting of powder, use a light colored eye shadow all over your lid. Dab a bit of the shadow in the corner area of your eye (next to the bridge of your nose) and a bit under your bottom eye lashes as well. This will help your eyes look bright and youthful. Finish with a bit of mascara and you’re ready to go!

Secrets for Lips & Cheeks
Just because you’re aging doesn’t mean you should pile on the red lipstick! Sure, it may be appropriate in some instances but not for everyday wear. You may not be dealing with blemishes (like a teenager) but you may be dealing with a lipstick crisis! To look younger, choose a dewy lipstick-gloss combination.  It gives you a hint of color, without going matte. The shiny or “dew” of this lip choice instantly adds youth to your face.

For the cheeks, stick with a natural and light blush. Mineral blushes are often fool-proof and natural in color. Apply a bit to the apples of your cheeks and go! Remember, it’s easier to start with a little bit of blush and add more rather than adding too much blush and trying to tone it down. A quick hint: If you add too much blush, use your powder to lightly dust the area, toning down the intensity of the color.
The Natural Way to a Younger Look

Overall, there’s no steadfast advice or answers when it comes to looking younger. While a facial or a microdermabrasion session might help you on a monthly basis, choosing the right makeup can help you daily! So, remember to keep it light and dewy for the youngest look possible.

 http://www.freebeautytips.org

NOW OPEN - i Bar Emeryville

We are happy to announce that as of December 1st (yes, today!) i Bar is now a member of the fine shopping community at Bay Street in Emeryville, CA.

I Bar Emeryville is conveniently located below the AMC theaters. Stop by to say hello and visit the newest addition to the i Bar family!

5610 Bay St., Emeryville, CA 94608
510.654.1114