Massage Envy
Membership really does have its rewards
by Lisa Alvarez

As a working mom, I don’t have much extra time or money, so spa visits are rare. The good folks who dreamed up Massage Envy had mothers like me in mind. They know that the heart of the spa experience is the massage, the feature that contributes most directly to a client’s physical well-being. They also know that well-being also means budgeting money and time. 
   
Massage Envy, a national franchise with over 395 clinics, seeks to bring therapeutic massage to the masses, or at least to the middle classes, in a three-part appeal: convenience, professionalism and affordability. It’s a variation of the health- club concept, but without the gym environment.  Each Massage Envy clinic, instead, provides a typically soothing spa atmosphere, plus certified massage therapists who oversee your treatment. 
   
After the initial $39 massage, clients can join the titled Wellness Plan and pay a $59 monthly membership that includes their first one-hour session each month, a considerable savings off the regular rate of $78. After that, unlimited additional one-hour sessions are $39. Other benefits of the membership include family add-on discounts, guest privileges, retail discounts and the convenience of nationwide membership – perfect when you’re on vacation.
    
Seven Orange County locations (see massageenvy.com) are cleverly integrated into suburban mini-malls, keeping a visit scheduled between Trader Joe’s and Party Time easy, especially with their hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.


Between us girls ...
If you could escape from motherhood for a day and go anywhere, where would you go?

“I’d check into the Hotel Del in San Diego with an oceanfront room, make an appointment at the spa and enjoy dinner in their signature restaurant.”  Kimberly, 50, of Lake Forest

“I know it sounds crazy, but I’d go to the swap meet. I love shopping and driving a bargain, and I just can’t do that with the kids constantly pestering me to buy them stuff or asking me where the bathroom is.”  Melonie, 33, of Tustin

“I first think about spending a day at the ocean when I want to get away from my kids – which is all the time! Orange County has so many great places for a by-the-beach day trip. If you don’t want to spend much money, run away to Crystal Cove in Newport Coast, where you can hang out on one of O.C.’s most beautiful beaches and eat at the quaint Beachcomber Cafe. You can also hit Crystal Cove Promenade for a little shopping therapy.”  Sheryll, 45, of Costa Mesa

“I have three kids, all under age 5. At this point in my life, an hour away seems wonderful. But, if I had one day to myself (and wouldn’t that be a luxury!), I would spend it at a spa. Having my cares rubbed, soaked and pampered away would be delightful!”  Raemi, 29, of Ladera Ranch

“Well, my kids are older – in high school and college – so the stresses are different than when they were little. In those days, I would have committed highway robbery to have a couple of hours at the mall to myself. Now, getaways like that aren’t so difficult to come by. What I’d like to do is have a day with my husband – just the two of us. It seems like one of us always has to be working, running a kid to softball practice or taking a kid to the library late at night for a last-minute school report. If we could spend a day playing golf and having lunch, I’d be a happy woman.”  Shirley, 54, of Newport Beach

“I’d go to the beach at Balboa Island with my book, towel, sunscreen and Diet Coke. I’d lay there baking all day with only myself to be responsible for.”  Danae, 25, of Costa Mesa

“If I could be instantly transported to Mammoth Mountain, I’d ski all day. I learned to ski when I was 4 and never missed a winter until I had kids. They’re old enough now to go with me, but a day on the lifts without them and a soak in the hot tub after is my favorite thing.”  Sarah, 38, of Santa Ana

“A Dodgers game! I grew up in L.A., and my family has been huge Dodgers fans my whole life. I’d have to bring my
brother with me so we can pig out on Dodger dogs and beer. I don’t even care if they win; I just want to be there.”  Kelly, 30, of Rancho Santa Margarita

August’s question
“What’s your favorite thing to do with your children?”

Reply by June 20th. Go to: ocfamily.com and click on Mom’s Day Off.


C-Section rate hits high
By Kathy Sena

The proportion of American women having their babies delivered by caesarean section jumped to nearly one in three in 2005 (the most recent statistics available), according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. It was one in five in 1995.
   
C-section is usually performed when a vaginal delivery would put the baby’s or mother’s life or health at risk. Increasingly, however, the procedure is performed during births that would otherwise have been normal. According to the report:

> About 1.3 million U.S. women gave birth via C-section in 2005, a 38 percent increase over the 800,000 C-sections performed in 1995.
> The sharpest decline in vaginal deliveries in hospitals was among women who had previously given birth via C-section. Vaginal deliveries among those women dropped 60 percent, from 157,200 in 1995 to 62,300 in 2005.

Medical liability concerns have driven a rising number of hospitals to ban vaginal births after C-section, or VBACs, because of a slight risk of uterine tears. But in some cases, it’s the mother who chooses to forgo vaginal birth after a first C-section.
   

Dial in weight loss 
A short phone call to a weight-loss counselor might help you lose pounds, according to a new study.
   
Researchers studied 1,032 people, with the results appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Participants in a weight-loss-maintenance trial who had a brief, monthly 10- to 15-minute phone conversation with a professional weight-loss counselor regained less weight than did those who were in a web-based intervention program or who tried to go it alone.

Kathy Sena is a freelance journalist. Visit her parenting blog at parenttalktoday.com.


Free beach stuff! Enter online!
Diane’s Beachwear and Bikini has stuffed a basket full of everything you need to look your best at the beach, from head to toe:

> Toss luggage
> Nomad Flip Flopz
> Swimsuit cleaner
> Bronzing lotion
> Fluff luggage tag
> $100 gift card to Diane’s
> A one-hour appointment with a fit specialist to pick the perfect bikini/swimsuit

To qualify, go to ocfamily.com and click on Mom’s Day Off. The winner will be notified in June.
THANK YOU to Diane’s Beachwear and Bikini for all the beach booty. For locations: dianesbeachwear.com.


Must-haves!
Four essential cosmetics for busy moms
By Monique Berry

If you’re a busy mom, your days and nights are probably filled with working, driving, shopping, cleaning, cooking and all the must-do’s of raising little ones. How can you maintain a fresh, wide-awake face all day?
   
With these four must-have cosmetics, acquiring a natural and flawless appearance is easier than you think:

> Make room in your purse for two sleek and thinly packaged products from Sebastian Trucco. The Duo Powder Foundation (available in several shades) is a light, silky cream powder that evens out skin tone and absorbs oil while still maintaining moisture.
> Following this smooth base is Sebastian Trucco’s Bronzer, which is a perfect blend of color, bronze and light tones that is sure to bring out a natural and healthy glow.
> Eye think, therefore I am...flaunt your long, beautiful, curled lashes with a swipe or two from Lancome’s Courbe Virtuose. If you have clumpy mascara nightmares and not enough time to deal with messy mascara, you will fall in love with this product. Not only is Lancome’s Courbe Virtuose easy to apply, it is a comfortable mascara that washes away with ease.
> Lastly, when your little ones are giving you lip, give them some sweet lip back with Bare Escentuals’ tube of Lip Guard, containing SPF-15 sunblock. The flocked, soft applicator ensures a smooth delivery, while the gloss contains the right amount of color and shine for soft, supple lips.

Mom, remember to indulge in a quick pamper and touch-up once or twice a day with these wonderful and convenient products. You may be tired and stressed, but your face will never show it! n

*Sebastian Trucco Duo Powder Foundation, $28. Available at local beauty supply stores
*Bare Escentuals Lip Guard, $14. Available at Sephora
*Lancome Courbe Virtuose, $23.50. At Macy’s

Monique Berry  is a beauty writer, musician and developer of PlaneLogics LipAid. myspace.com/moniqueberry