Spa Cuisine: Almond Joy

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As my brother and I grow older, we are beginning to discuss some of the finer points of being our parent's children. One of these concerns, mixed nuts, were always a big thing in my household. My dad is a fanatic when it comes to cashews, and Mom can’t resist almonds and pecans. Even to this day, they always have a can of mixed nuts at home, but because they pick and choose their favorites after opening the can, the nuts usually turn into mostly peanuts. And, really, who can blame them? Why settle for a paltry peanut when you can munch on an amazing almond?

In the kitchen

More than 70% of surveyed consumers are more interested in a dish or product when it contains almonds.1 And as society becomes more health-conscious, these crunchy, nutrient-packed nuts are prized for being tasty, filling and good for the skin. They are an excellent source of vitamin E and magnesium, while also supplying a variety of other vitamins and protein. Almonds are commonly used in salads, appetizers, entrees and desserts,1 and, from the Bible to King Tut, they have forged a path through history, still remaining relevant and delicious.2

At Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas, you can enjoy Cheese Ravioli With Almond Pesto as an entrée, and the sweet and buttery Almond Torte is a delicious dessert at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls in Logan, Ohio. Continuing in the dessert vein, the Almond Tortoni Delight is offered at La Dolce Vita in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and the Walnut and Almond Cake, Orange-Pomegranate Compote is the perfect meal-ender from chef Mathew Peters at The Ritz-Carlton Naples in Naples, Florida.

In the spa

The incredible vitamin E content of almonds helps keep skin soft, and skin care products and treatments that contain almonds exfoliate, as well as address dry and sensitive skin.3

At Entourage Spa in Orinda, California, clients can receive the Almond Creme Body Polish, and China’s Almeria Clubs, Hotels & Resorts brand Spa-Q initiates its Shangri-la Experience with a salt scrub and almond oil and also offers its Almond and Soya Scrub as a gentle, nourishing moisturizing scrub featuring ground almonds for exfoliation. For nails, the Almond Delight Deluxe Nail Care with Paraffin Dip from San Francisco’s Nob Hill Spa features hydrating almond oil products for this luxury manicure and pedicure experience. Raindrop Spa at Manuel Antonio Beach in Costa Rica provides its hydrotherapy treatment Papaya in Banana Leaves with an exfoliation using almond and tangerine, and the Relax & Rejuvenate Package from Juliana’s Day Spa & Salon in Jonesboro, Arkansas, features a delicious Honey Almond Scrub.

The benefits of almonds are aplenty in skin care products, as well, and include Heat Spa Kur Therapy Development Inc.’s Abano Honey Almond Scrub, which cleanses skin, removes cellular debris and moisturizes. Weleda’s Almond and Wild Rose Facial Care collections treat, nourish and restore skin, and the Almond & Honey Face Scrub from Mario Badescu Skin Care is a nonabrasive face scrub that gently exfoliates and refines dry, flaky skin. Joey New York offers Pure Pores Crushed Almonds and Honey Scrub, and Bath by Bettijo tempts lips with Sweet Almond Softening Lip Balm that softens, smoothes and features an amaretto scent.

Relax, go nuts

Make your menu extraordinary and your clients feel incredibly special by offering this gourmet favorite in treatments and in cuisine. Providing the nutritionally dense almond in your services will ensure clients that their health and pleasure is your first concern … and the rest is just peanuts.

REFERENCES

  1. 1.www.almondsarein.com
  2. 2. www.bluediamond.com/almonds/history/index.cfm
  3. 3. www.yourskin101.com/natural-skin-care/almond.aspx

    (All accessed Mar 31, 2008)

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