Smurf Village

When I first started working at the athletes village in Whistler is when I heard that the staff in the blue jackets (me included) were referred to by the public as “the smurfs”. I thought that was really cute!  The ironic thing about that is I just so happened to have a smurf with me.  When I travel, I bring along a little 1 inch toy smurf . I photograph him with all the people and places I encounter on my adventures. Then I create story books for my 5 year old niece who is back home in Ontario. 

My smurf got so popular in the athletes village everyone wanted a picture taken with him and he even made the athletes village newsletter!!

Here is the link to my Fan Page on Facebook.

Check out what the traveling smurf did during the Olympics. Click on the photo album Adventures of the Traveling smurf at the 2010 Olympics.

 

Tips to stay warm when working outside

When I’m not working and seeing clients for Fireside Spa, Natures Way and at GLC…I am working in the Athletes Village in Whistler for the 2010 Olympic games.  I am part of the parking permit crew.  My job is simple, fun, social and I spend all day working outside.  I make sure Athletes and traffic are going the right way.  Some may say I’m highly qualified for this job considering I’ve been stopping traffic for years…in many country’s and in many different languages (wink-wink).

Here are some tips to stay warm when working outside:

• Keep moving, jump up and down
• Shake your legs, stamp your feet
• Wear proper boots and thermal wool socks
• Wear little hotties or hand warmers in your feet and hands…try putting one behind your neck!
• Layer up on clothes and keep dry
• Deep breath and visualize the sun shinning down and warming your whole body
• Take breaks inside to stay warm, eat light snacks and drink water.

 

Fire Dancing Video

Here is a video of me fire dancing at a cottage this past summer in Muskoka, ON.

You can hire me to entertain you and your guests at your backyard parties, beach parties and celebrations!!

 

Join me for Apres at the GLC

Join me for Apres at Garibaldi Lift Company…aka GLC.  Located in Whistler Village overlooking the base of Whistler mountain, the GLC provides relaxed apres excitement.  I get to walk around and introduce myself, chat to guests and offer people relaxing massage treatments for 1$ per minute…as their hanging with friends and relaxing from their day on the mountain.   GLC is voted the best Apre ski bar in Whistler and has the coolest staff! I love being a part of it!  I enjoy working there…I get to meet people from all over the globe and get to hear their life stories on how they ended up in Whistler. 

Besides working with the amazing, friendliest staff I also get to massage with kick-ass live DJ beats that always make me move or listen to live music from the local band The Hairfarmers.  So come on in for a drink, get your groove on, eat some fantastic food, have some laughs, smiles and massages.  Join GLC fan page on Facebook!

I am at GLC Fri, Sat and Sun from 3:00-7:00pm

 

 

 

Complimentary Yoga

I have tried out some yoga studios around Vancouver and just fell in love with YYoga.  They are fabulous studios with great vibes, amazing teachers and all have a wonderful sense of community. 

I have exciting news for those who are living or visiting Vancouver and Whistler!!  YYoga and lululemon has paired up and have a gift for you!!  Enjoy complimentary classes available at YYoga studios in Vancouver/Whistler from February 12-28.  So join me in Whistler for some yoga classes at Neoalpine and pick up your Gift of Yoga pass from participating lululemon locations. For more information, visit http://www.lululemon.com/giftofyoga

  Neoalpine Located in beautiful Whistler

 

 

Le Scandinave

I can’t wait to share some exciting news about the new opening of one of my favorite spas that I go to and relax, recharge and boost my immune system.  I am soooooo excited to hear that there is a new location opening up in Whistler, BC!!!!! 

I frequently visit the Le Scandinave Spa at the Blue Mountain location in Collingwood, Ontario.   Scandinavian spas have a picturesque Canadian setting tucked in the forest with Nordic style water therapy.   Scandinave offers hot and cold plunging pools, a eucalyptus steam room, sauna and they also offer massage and relaxing treatments. My favorite is going there at night in the winter… jumping in a cold plunge pool and then sitting by a wood burning fire to warm up and gazing up at the stars.  Check out the opening specials!!!

 

Healthy choices on a long road trip

I drove  across Canada from Toronto to Vancouver…It was a long one!  It is very difficult to find healthy food choices on the road.  So I recommend packing a cooler with delicious whole foods. 

My Food list: 2 lb bag of carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, bananas, bag of apples, big bag of mixed dried fruit, seeds and nuts, teas and a tin of my mother’s famous homemade muffins.

It’s important to set goals for your trip…Here are some of my goals I would like to share with you:

My goals on my trip

• Eat no packaged food/ junk food/fast food
• Eat at no restaurants
• Have no car trouble 
• Arrive safely to my destination
• Hit no animals 
• No speeding tickets. 
• Make 100 people smile 

I ended up exceeding all of my goals and with a bonus I made 103 people smile and I got a high five.

Things to do on long car drives to wake up

• Sing loud and dance in the car
• When you’re stopped at a gas station don’t forget to stretch your body, jump up and down, get the blood flowing
•  Listen to audio books and music 
• Massage your neck, scalp, face and legs.
• Get out of the car and go for a hike
• I always have golf balls and tennis balls in my car, what I do is to put two balls behind my back on each side of my spine and lean into the seat. 
• I also have a car diffuser in my car where I put in awakening  essential oils-Peppermint, Grapefruit and Rosemary
• You can also make a wakeup face spray: H2O, glycerine, Rosemary-Orange-Grapefruit essential oils. Yummy!!

 

Happy Holidays!

Melanie Leeder and Dockside Spa would like to send warm wishes to you and your families this Holiday season…

**Dockside Spa will open in May 2010

 Melanie has created FIRESIDE SPA and is currently working in Vancouver/Whistler providing in-person healing treatments at clients homes, cabins and hospitals.  She is also taking bodywork/health workshops and courses to expand her knowledge in healing.

FIRESIDE SPA- mobile spa services

 

Rebounding

“Jump up, Jump up and get down”…

There is nothing like waking up in the morning to a good stretch and a little bounce on the rebounder!! What a fabulous way to start your day.  I’ve heard that rebounding burns more calories than jogging.  Some health benefits for Trampoline bouncing can strengthen your heart, improve your circulation, revitalize vision, reduce stress, benefit children with learning disabilities and cystic fibrosis and most of all stimulate and improve the flow in your lymphatic system.  Your lymphatic system rids the body of toxins, dead cells, cancer cells,  bacteria, infectious viruses, foreign substances and heavy metals.  So go out and buy one today and start jump’N.

Another great way to improve and stimulate your lymphatic system is getting a Lymphatic Drainage Massage.

 

Melon Belly

My mother told me when I was little if I swallowed the seeds from a watermelon I would have a melon grow inside my belly.  Well…I totally believed her.  One of my many nicknames as a child was Melon Belly.  I loved watermelon and could never get enough of it!  Yummy…my mouth is watering just thinking about it!  I use to almost eat the whole melon…or at least till my stomach would balloon out.

Here is one of my favorite summer salads:

Refreshing Watermelon Salad

Watermelon Salad

Recipe:

1. Cut up Watermelon into cubes

2. Fresh Basil

3. Olive oil

Easy peasy