In a beautiful twist on a Valentine’s Day tradition, the Chocolate & Roses Herbal Facial features a deep moisturizing mask made of freshly ground organic cocoa beans, Tennessee mountain honey, and luxurious Bulgarian rose essential oil. Plus, take home a complementary jar of our limited edition Frankincense Rose Face Moisturizer (regularly $6) and an Anti-Bacterial Complexion Towel made of all-natural bamboo fibers (regularly $8.50).*

Call (423) 903-5077 to schedule yours today, $75 for 60 minutes or $45 for 30 minutes. Or, tell your special someone about our gift certificate sale! All gift certificates on sale for 15% off now through Valentine’s Day.

*Complexion towel with 60-minute herbal facial only.

You’ve probably seen it on our spa therapy menu; maybe you’ve even tried it a time or two. Gill Martin, in her book Aromatherapy: An Introductory Guide to Professional and Home Use, describes it this way: “Aromatherapy is a therapeutic treatment combining massage and essential oils to enhance well being, restore balance, and treat a variety of conditions.” It may seem far-fetched that simply smelling lavender can calm and relax you, but consider this: How often does a particular smell cause you to remember an event in your life? Our sense of smell plays a vital role in our enjoyment of food as well; it’s actually the olfactory system that distinguishes flavors beyond salty, sweet, bitter and sour.

When you smell something, the tiny hairs, or cilia, in your nose are stimulated and send impulses through the olfactory nerves, to the olfactory bulb located behind the bridge of the nose, to the limbic system in the brain. The limbic system is involved in memory and emotion (hence the strong association between smells and memories), and is also connected to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland, which in turn controls all other glands and therefore our whole hormonal system. Thus it is not so far-fetched for a simple inhalation of an aromatic oil to affect your emotions, and even other systems of the body!

In addition, essential oil molecules evaporate into the air and are taken into your lungs. Sure, some are exhaled in the very next breath, but some pass into the bloodstream and are transported around the body in the same way as oxygen and other nutrients. Similarly, when essential oils are mixed with carrier oils like grapeseed (which has a small enough molecular structure to be easily absorbed into the skin), they are absorbed by the tissue fluids, reaching the lymphatic system and finally the bloodstream. For some people, this process may take as little as 20 minutes!

Herbal baths, inhalations, vaporization, compresses and massage are all methods of applying essential oils to the body. Poplar Creek Spa uses nearly all of these methods in our various spa therapies, but vaporization–the classic oil burner, which uses a candle to heat up the oils and diffuse them into the air–may be added to any service of your choice for just $5.

We offer the following blends for you to choose from:

• Clarity
• Creativity
• Energizing
• Harmony
• Relaxing
• Stress Relief
• Uplifting

Click here to see our full menu of spa therapies, or contact us to schedule an appointment.

Herbal baths are a type of hydrotherapy, the ancient practice of using water to heal and relax the body. Reclining in warm water relaxes your muscles, soothes sore joints, and releases tension. It also dilates your blood vessels, resulting in lowered blood pressure. “The warm cocoon feels like a womb, making you feel safe and secure,” says Julie Gabriel in The Green Beauty Guide. “While showers can be called the skin’s fast food, a warm bath is definitely the skin’s comfort foods.” A tranquil, carefully prepared bath can do wonders for your mood and your skin’s health.

The herb or combination of herbs used in your bath depends on the effect you seek. Poplar Creek Spa offers three basic herbal baths for you to choose from–Calming, Moisturizing, Muscle Soothing, or Revitalizing. But we prepare the herbal blend for you the day of your appointment, so it can easily be customized to your individual needs. Herbal baths can be used for all manner of purposes:

• to soften and deep cleanse the skin and promote a rosy glow, as well as address various concerns–from acne to eczema, from oily to dry, from chapped to inflammation
• to relieve muscle and joint pain
• to calm the mind, relax the body, and promote sleep
• to treat colds and congestion
• to invigorate and revitalize
• to stimulate poor circulation

Regardless of your needs, the concept remains the same: imagine relaxing in a giant cup of herbal tea. Try an herbal bath before your massage to enhance the effect of your massage, as your body will already be relaxed when you climb onto the massage table.

All of the products used in our spa therapies are made in-house, using all-natural ingredients–organic when possible. Most are mixed up just for you the day of your treatment, which makes it easy to customize them to meet your individual needs.

Poplar Creek Spa’s Ultimate Herbal Bath Environment

• A warm room
• A freshly-brewed herbal blend, ready for you to add to your bath
• Dim lights and candlelight
• The same quiet, gentle music used in our massage and spa therapies
• A drink while you soak–cool water or a cup of hot herbal tea
• Bring a book if you’d like!
• Soak for up to 30 minutes (We recommend 20, as prolonged exposure to hot water can be drying to the skin.)
• If you have another spa therapy scheduled after your bath, cozy up in one of our spa robes and proceed to the therapy room for your next service.

Contact us to schedule an appointment!

Click here to see our full brochure.

Our gift sets come packaged and ready to put under the tree. Choose from the following:

Escape, $60. This set includes:

• Gift certificate for our popular 30-minute Foot Fassage (or $40 toward the service of their choice)
• Poplar Creek Spa’s Peppermint Foot Lotion, made with organic castor and olive oils to heal dry, cracked skin
• A pair of Earth Therapeutics Aloe Socks. These super-soft socks are infused with natural aloe vera to moisturize your feet while you wear them.

Rejuvenation, $100. This set includes:

• Gift certificate for a 60-minute Herbal Facial (or $70 toward the service of their choice)
• Poplar Creek Spa’s Frankincense Face Moisturizer, made with antioxidant-rich grapeseed oil, chamomile and green tea to fight aging, and frankincense essential oil for cell regeneration
• Earth Therapeutics Anti-bacterial Complexion Towel made of natural bamboo
• A box of Numi organic herbal tea
• A Theo organic fair trade chocolate bar

For the Man in Your Life, $100. To thank the man you love for all his hard work, our men’s set includes:

• Gift certificate for a 60-minute massage (or $60 toward the service of his choice)
• Poplar Creek Spa’s Citrus Clove After Shave Lotion, formulated to help close pores after shaving
• Poplar Creek Spa’s Aromatherapy Blend for Mental Clarity
• An Aromatherapy Car Diffuser. Place your favorite essential oils into the diffuser and plug into the cigarette lighter or power adaptor in your car for aromatherapy on the go.

Renewal, $200. The ultimate way to recover from holiday stress, this set includes:

• Gift certificate for a 60-minute massage and 60-minute spa therapy (or $130 toward the services of their choice)
• Poplar Creek Spa’s Aromatherapy Blend for Relaxation
• An aromatherapy diffuser and tea light candles
• Earth Therapeutics Relaxing Comfort Neck Wrap that can be chilled or microwaved for cold or hot use on sore muscles
• The new Michael Bublé Christmas CD!

Our gift certificates are always available in any dollar amount.

For more information or to purchase, call (423) 903-5077 or contact us here.

All of the products used in our spa therapies are made in-house, using all-natural ingredients–organic when possible. Most are mixed up just for you the day of your appointment, making it easy to customize them to meet your individual needs.

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• is passionate about serving people with their gift of massage therapy,
• is dependable and trustworthy,
• has a sense of humor and excellent people skills,
• wants to grow both personally and professionally,
• and is willing to help grow Poplar Creek Spa.
• Massage therapy training and current TN license a must.

This is an independent contractor position for PRN work on Thursdays and Fridays. Pay is 25% of the price of the service; rates are $30/$60/$90 for 30-/60-/90-minute massages, respectively. Training is available if you would like to learn to do our spa therapies (click here to see our brochure), but this is not required.

For more information, please call Emily at (423) 903-5077 or e-mail poplarcreekspa@gmail.com. Referral reward available for current clients if your candidate is chosen.

Full website for Poplar Creek Spa coming soon! Click on the brochure below to see our prices and read about our services.

Contact me to schedule.

• Find us on Facebook!
• We file insurance
• Our therapists are available for convenient day and evening appointments
• Last-minute scheduling available
• Combine two or more therapies and receive 10% off
• Refer a friend and receive $10 off the therapy of your choice
• Option to shower before or after your therapy
• We do pregnancy massage
• Ask about group discounts. We can accommodate up to eight guests, and we cater! Great for bridal parties or other special occasions.
• Join our e-mail list and receive notifications of last-minute discounts, monthly specials, and new therapies.
• Gift certificates are always available in any dollar amount.
• Located in Collegedale, just 2 miles from SAU & McKee

For more information, call Emily at (423) 903-5077.

• 2 c peppermint herbal tea
• 2 c pineapple juice
• ice
• lemon slices

Brew the peppermint tea and let cool to at least room temperature. Mix with pineapple juice, add ice, and garnish with lemon slices.

• 1 c frozen pineapple
• 2 fresh kiwis
• 2 fresh mangos
• 1 c frozen strawberries

Mix all together. Adjust the amount of fruit as desired. Make ahead of time so the frozen fruits have time to melt somewhat and the juices can blend together.

• 1 3/4 c whole wheat flour
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 c butter or margarine
• 1 egg (or egg replacer)
• 4-6 tbsp milk

Mix dry ingredients in medium sized bowl. Cut butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the egg (or egg replacer) and just enough milk so the dough leaves the side of the bowl. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly 10 times. Roll or pat dough into a 1/2-inch thick rectangle and then cut into triangles with a sharp knife. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Good with butter and preserves.

Makes about 15 scones.

Flavors:

For Lavender Lemon scones, to the above ingredients add:

• juice and zest of 1/2 a lemon
• 1 1/2 tsp dried lavender florets

For Pumpkin Spice scones, to the above ingredients add:

• 1/4 c canned pumpkin
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp nutmeg

You will need less milk for this recipe.

• 2 c cashew nuts
• 3/8 c Emes brand kosher gelatin*
• 1 1/2 c boiling water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 4 oz sliced pimientos (optional)
• 1 c cold water

Place all ingredients in a blender except the cold water. Blend for 3-5 mintues until very smooth. Add cold water and blend briefly. Pour into containers of your chioce to chill and slice when firm.

*The last few times I’ve made this I haven’t had gelatin and it still turns out, it just doesn’t get firm enough to slice. In this case, use less than 1 c of cold water. Add just enough to make the saucy consistency you want.

Serving suggestions:

• Add to macaroni for macaroni & cheese
• Top pizzas, nachos, or lasagna
• Melt and add jalapenos and eat with tortilla chips
• Put in a folded tortilla and fry for a quesadilla