Well, now that clutch has gone to print, I am taking a bit of a media break since I have basically lived with my computer by my side. So, I am enjoying a week of no phone/no internet, but I still want you to have pretty things to look at! So, enjoy my Spring Blogiday postings, which are repostings of oldies but goodies. Oh, and don’t forget to register for Bliss, a fine wedding fair on April 1st by clicking HERE.

As a bride at Spa 4109 you will need to check your stress at the door. Of course some believe it is impossible for anyone to remain stressed about anything at all by the time you make it down the stairs and walk into the spa. It’s hard to believe that you are in Lynchburg anymore. This underground retreat shuts out the noisy traffic, crazy weather and the stressful impostors of your life, whatever they may be, and soon you will be wrapped in a plush robe snoozing in the Zen waiting room.

Spa 4109 is a full service spa offering everything including manicures and pedicures, all types of massages, body treatments, hair and makeup. They provide unparalleled service from head to toe (and everywhere in between) to ensure they meet every high expectation.

Since its beginning in 2007, then called The Spa at Sakinas, Spa 4109 has been Lynchburg’s local retreat. Joellen Perkins and Jeanine Maxwell, owners since August of 2009, together with their staff make sure you are nothing short of enchanted throughout your visit, especially on your wedding day.

A few special services that brides may want to consider would be a St. Tropez spray tan for a golden glow or maybe a full set of Extreme Lash eyelash extensions for a natural dramatic touch to your wedding eyes. Dermosonic cellulite treatments allow brides to ready their bodies for the wedding day months before and Botox, Juvederm and specialized facials can ensure the brides skin is at its best for those wedding pictures that last forever.

In addition to the spa, Spa 4109 boasts a full salon and makeup counter. For the perfect wedding look, makeup artist Patty Mattingley uses La Bella Donna, a mineral-based, allergen-free professional makeup line for a perfect wedding finish and each of the hairstylists are trained and experienced in creating wedding hair creations. All the while you and your wedding party will be sipping on complimentary wine or champagne.

Bridal consultations can be set up before the wedding date free of charge for both hair and makeup.

While the day is all about the bride, inviting the wedding party for a pre-wedding party can be a great way to say thank you to those who will stand with you. Spa 4019 can accommodate bridal showers and bachelorette parties on site. Selections from their “Tapas” menu of mini services are a great option for allowing everyone in the party to get a service in a shorter amount of time.

Spa4109 is one of Lynchburg’s finest treasures tucked away from everyday reality and a perfect addition to any wedding day. For appointments call 434-384-9338 and check out their website at spa4109.com

Well, it’s almost Christmastime … the season where we all do last minute shopping, go on Christmas light hunting rides and enjoy time with family and friends. I hope you enjoy these Christmas “blogiday” postings as I review some oldies but goodies from the vault.

I’m Dreaming of a Lite Christmas

Whatever holiday you are celebrating this month, there is one common thread among them all that can derail any bride. The food. This time of year, food is about family, traditions and celebrating. Let’s be honest, it’s hard to say no, especially if you are celebrating with new family – your future family. Can you really say no to Aunt Betty’s famous artichoke dip or Granny’s chocolate sauce or the pecan pie that is specially ordered every year? Traditions among families are meant to be honored, appreciated, and carried on, but that does not mean that you have to eat it ALL for the sake of family relations.

Planning ahead is the key to getting through the holidays without letting go of your vision of yourself on your wedding day – particularly if you have already bought the dress! Take a good look at your schedule for the upcoming holidays. You will likely have weekends or even days where you have multiple events and will need to juggle these logistically and nutritionally. When you have a holiday event and you are trying to stay on a diet or at least prevent weight gain, one of the best ways to do this is to eat a small, healthy meal before you go.

Choose foods that are high in protein and complex carbohydrates and low in sugar to keep your blood sugar balanced. The last thing you want to do is down a bowl of sugary cereal or a bag of chips that will in no short time leave you low on energy and hungry again – this will make you more vulnerable to making the wrong choices. Instead, try a cup of cottage cheese with whole grain crackers or a half of a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. This will help ensure that you will not be famished when you arrive at the event.

You will then be able to choose what you eat and drink using your brain and not your stomach. A taste of that “to-die-for” pecan pie will go a long way towards satisfying yourself and your family, while eating a whole slice could contribute to making you feel and look weighed down.

Offering to bring a dish is another way that you can plan ahead in order to stay on track. Most holiday parties are overrun with heavy dips, fattening hors d’oeuvres, creamy spreads, and sugar-laden desserts. To ensure that you have a healthy option at your holiday party, offer to bring a veggie platter or fruit tray so that you can snack without worry.

Another important tip is to choose your beverages wisely. These can be excessive sources of calories and alcohol. A good general rule is to stagger your alcoholic and/or high calorie beverages with a glass of water. This will help to decrease the number of calories consumed and slow the impact of alcohol. We know that alcohol impairs decision-making ability and this is no exception when it comes to food. After a couple of glasses of grandpa’s eggnog, it may be much easier to throw caution to the wind and eat that whole piece of pecan pie … and take a sugar cookie for the road.

Also, remember that there are many ways to bond with family other than eating and drinking. Jumping in on the annual touch football game or caroling through the neighborhood are great ways to bond and stay active during the holidays. It’s a special holiday season when you are the bride and it’s important that you enjoy it. Part of doing this means planning ahead and knowing how you want to look and feel on New Year’s Day as you prepare for your big day!

Thank you again, Katie! What a perfect time of year to learn about how to head off food issues before they happen. 

Welcome to HCB’s Spring Break “Blogiday” (as in a blogging holiday!). Everyone needs a little break now and then, and I am taking a week off for Spring Break. Instead of leaving all of you hanging for a week, I decided to share some entries that are great for revisiting. Enjoy, and I hope that you have (or had!) a wonderful Spring Break week, too! The first time this was posted, Tonya was happily living in Lynchburg, but now she and her family have moved due to her husband’s job … I wish the Prices the best, and Lynchburg misses you!!

Your health is important for your wedding and beyond. I am pleased to have Registered Dietitian, Tonya Price of TCP Nutrition as a monthly columnist helping brides to look and feel their best (and above all be healthy) on their wedding day.

Don’t Faint at the Altar!

You know the scene … the bride and groom look longingly into each other’s eyes as the officiate says, “Let’s bow our heads.”  Then the flutter of the moment is interrupted by a fainting bride or groom caught on video to be forever replayed and poked fun at!

In the hustle and bustle of the wedding day, it is easy to forget to eat and drink.  Dehydration and low blood sugars are a horrible combination for the blessed event.  Here are some ideas for wedding day nutrition to prevent a potentially embarrassing moment:

1. Eat a good breakfast. I know you are nervous! I was too, but a breakfast such as oatmeal with walnuts and apple bits, a fruit smoothie including protein powder, or a turkey sausage, egg and cheese sandwich on a whole wheat English muffin can lift your spirits and give you the stamina for all that lies ahead.

2. No skipping lunch if you have an evening wedding! Not eating can lead to low blood sugars and result in an emotional Bridezilla.  Small things are blown even more out proportion when you are stressed and undernourished.

3. Pack a pretty basket full of individually wrapped snacks for quick “pick me ups”.  Graham crackers with nut butter spreads, celery with spreadable cheese, homemade trail mix with nuts, dried fruit, and yogurt with crunchy granola all make easy grab and go selections for the bridal party.

4. Fill a cooler with bottled water, seltzer with lemon, or clear fruit waters to have available during the hair and make-up festivities.  No one wants a stain on their dress, but avoiding fluids is not the answer either!

5. Ask a member of the bridal party to be in charge of reminding you to eat and hydrate.  Let’s face it, with so much going on it is very easy to get consumed with the day’s event and forget something as simple as eating!

Your special day requires a lot of planning.  Do not forget to take care of your nutritional needs as well!

Thank you again, Tonya, for your sage advice! Readers, be sure to visit her site at TCP Nutrition for more information on being your best on your wedding day.

It is the time of year when we are all reevaluating our eating habits, and what better time to have Tonya from TCP Nutrition help newlyweds (and all of us!) get on the right track.

New Year, New You … Two!

The beginning of the year is a time of change for everyone, but if you are a newly wed, you are about to experience one of the biggest changes of your life. Trying to keep those “eating healthy” resolutions can be especially tricky when you are suddenly eating as a pair. Living together generally means that one person cooks for two. What to do if you are trying to eat healthy, but he is used to pizza, burgers and wings?! Here are some tips to keep you on track and keep him happy.

• Compromise! If he is used to wings on Sundays with the game, suggest that you make them at home. This way he can have some traditional restaurant style and you can make yours baked and skinless at the same time.

• Veg out. Pizza is another favorite that is healthier, and cheaper, made at home. Buy whole wheat pizza crust and make half with pepperoni and half loaded with veggies. Also, make a green salad to eat before you eat the pizza to help fill you up on greens and make you less likely to reach for that second, or third, piece of pizza.

• Go lean. If he is dying to throw some burgers on the grill on a Friday night, suggest that you make turkey burgers or choose a lower fat ground beef such as 90% lean. Put them on whole wheat buns or skip the bun and pair with grilled veggies for a tasty low carb meal.

• Offer to cook for him. What man can resist? Look on the internet for healthy ways to make delicious favorites such as meatloaf and lasagna. There are many ways to alter recipes to reduce the fat and calorie content and to increase the nutritional value. Using lower fat cheeses, creams, and sauces or adding extra veggies to a recipe is often easier than you think and he will likely never notice.

• Don’t let him fix your plate. Men’s portion sizes are usually larger than women’s, and for good reason. They burn more calories. He is used to portions that satisfy him and these are likely much larger than what you need. If you let him fix your plate, you may end up eating much more than you would normally without even noticing.

• Try new things together. Go to the local farmers’ market and buy fresh produce. Switch up the burgers for grilled salmon. Try a new vegetarian recipe. The new year brings change for everyone, but this year also means a new life for you and your new husband. Make it a long and happy one by making healthy decisions together!

No matter what time of year it is, eating healthy is always important! If you need help with overall nutrition and planning and implementing good habits, check out TCP Nutrition today by clicking here for their website.

What a better Vendor Spotlight to kick off the year with than with Wellness for Life? Madison White, a Hill City Bride intern had the privilege of interviewing Brian for this informative article. Happy New Year!

Every girl dreams of the day that she will marry their “knight in shining armor” (or in some cases, “dork in aluminum foil”). She wants the day to be perfect with nothing hindering her from enjoying it, yet sometimes a bride may be self conscious about her physique.

If you read that and thought to yourself, “that sounds like me”, then the Bridal Boot Camp at Wellness for Life is for you!

Brian started Bridal Boot Camps for the purpose of allowing brides to lose weight and to change the way they think. Brides who are interested in participating in this special program can join in anytime … there is no specific date or time that the camps go on, but brides can also just join in on the regular boot camps. The boot camps are normally held once a month and are an ongoing, 8 week process.

Brian Kenney is a certified personal trainer and has been in the health and fitness field for six years. He got into the Bridal Boot Camp idea due to wanting to see brides in their ideal shape on their wedding day and also the sense of urgency to be in shape for their special day.

The benefits of working out are to change your whole approach of eating habits, appearance, and to create a lifestyle change, BUT the main focus for the Bridal Boot Camps and the Boot Camps in general is to change the way you think.

An amazing success story that seems to stick on in Kenney’s mind is that of April Bray, who dropped 25 lbs but then lost 20 1/2 inches off of her body. Can you say “amazing”?

Staying in a healthy condition is very important, and to change the way you think is a plus. So if you are a bride and you want to tweak your figure, then a Boot Camp might be just the ticket!

RAPID FAT LOSS GUIDE

Achieve Maximum Weight Loss

#1 – Exercise regularly.

Exercise in the key to maintaining your weight loss. Start off your exercise regimen slow; moving too quickly can cause muscle damage. Instead, gradually work your way up to a full hour of activity.

#2 – Eat a nutritious breakfast everyday.

Cutting down on meals to lose weight is not a good strategy. Skipping meals will only leave you hungry and increase your chances of overeating later in the day. Starting your day off with a nutritious breakfast will help prevent that.

#3 – Eat the majority of food early in the day.

Dinner should be your lightest meal. This will help the body process and burn more calories. Try not to eat carbohydrates after 3pm as this is usually when your activities will start to slow and these carbohydrates will not be burned.

#4 – Keep track of your weight and your eating.

People who weigh themselves regularly will notice if they have gained a few pounds and can implement strategies to prevent gaining more.

#5 – Drink at least 64 ounces of water every day.

If you are eating right and exercising frequently but are still not getting the results you want, you may simply be not drinking enough water. Drinking the recommended 64 ounces of water everyday will help your body suppress your appetite, improve muscle tone, improve skin quality and speed up the fat burning process.

#6 – Get enough vitamin B in your diet.

If you are suffering from lack of energy, your body may not be getting enough Vitamin B. Taking a Vitamin B supplement can greatly improve your energy level.

#7 – Make a commitment. Permanent weight loss requires time, effort, focus, and a lifelong commitment. Be sure that you are ready to make permanent changes and that you do so for the right reasons.

#8 – Set realistic goals.

Healthy weight loss occurs slowly and steadily. Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week. Instead of making a goal to lose 50 pounds, start with a more realistic goal such as exercising regularly.

#9 – Detoxify your mind, body, and spirit.

Cleaning your body and mind of harmful toxins can greatly benefit your weight loss. Supplementation can help cleanse your body of the toxins that will hinder weight loss. Meditation, prayer, or just some quiet time can help clear the mind of harmful or negative thoughts that can affect your success.

#10 – Create a support system.

Let your friends and family know that you are trying to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Receiving positive encouragement from others improves your chances of successfully losing weight. Also, join a workout group to meet new people who have the same goal as you.

#11 – Work with a fitness/nutrition professional.

With a gym membership, you typically do not get the one on one support that you can find with a personal trainer. A personal trainer will be able to share his/her knowledge with you so that you reach your highest potential. Many personal trainers also work with a nutrition professional that can help design a meal plan that is custom designed to meet your specific.

If you would like more information, Brian would love to hear from you! Just click here to go to the website of Wellness for Life, and you will be on your way to a happier, healthier you. As a BIG P.S. I do have to say that I have worked out with Brian in personal training sessions … he worked me hard, but I saw results!!! Thanks again, Madison, for writing.