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Summer Golf Video Series: Developing Lower Back Strength

Today we share the latest segment in our series that follows Garden of the Gods Club Golf Director Gene Gabelmann, PGA, working with TPI-certified golf fitness trainer Lauralee Beerman to get his body ready for the summer golf season. Since having undergone corrective surgery for a back injury sustained in September 2012, Gene is now working to regain his strength and flexibility in order to enjoy peak performance out on the golf course. In today’s segment, Lauralee shows Gene how to use the Pilates Barrel to help strengthen his lower back.

Thanks for watching! If you are interested in learning how Lauralee may be able to help you reach your golf goals, please contact the Sports Club at 719.329.4009. For information about affordable golf or sports memberships at Garden of the Gods Club, we encourage you to chat with Membership Director Tracey Kalata (719.520.4980, tkalata@ggclub.com) and set up a private tour.

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Creative Summer Wedding Cake Trends

When it comes to creating artful wedding cakes, summer’s warm days and bright colors provide limitless inspiration. Today one of Garden of the Gods Club’s wedding cake vendors, Colorado Springs-based Chef Sugar’s Cakes & Confections, shares some of the top wedding cake trends for the summer. Whether you prefer a classic look or something that perfectly captures “you,” Heidi Trelstad of Chef Sugar’s can make it happen. Below you will find more info on some fun summer wedding cake trends.

A butter cream cake

1. Simple butter cream cakes. “This wedding season, we are seeing many people choose butter cream over the traditional fondant,” Heidi explained. “There is an almost endless variety of things you can do with butter cream, such as using textures, shapes, and patterns to create a unique cake.”

2. Elegant cakes. “On the other end of the spectrum, super elegant cakes are also in style right now,” Heidi said. “It’s interesting how most couples are either going with a very relaxed feel or a very traditional, elegant feel,” she continued. “There’s really not much in-between this season. To create a really classy look, we traditionally use fondant.”

3. Groom’s cakes. “Groom’s cakes are a huge trend right now,” Heidi said. “We’re actually seeing couples go all-out on the groom’s cake rather than the main wedding cake,” she added. “This is a great way to save a bit on the main cake and get really creative on the smaller cake. I’ve made groom’s cakes shaped like an Xbox, an airplane, the groom’s favorite vehicle, and more,” she laughed. “The groom’s cake is a great way to get as creative as you want.”

A wedding cake topper

4. Creative décor.  “This summer, a lot of couples are choosing vintage wedding-cake toppers,” Heidi explained. “For a while, couples opted out of the wedding cake toppers altogether, but creative figurines, such as glass-blown toppers, are really making a come-back,” she said. “We’re also seeing a lot of monochromatic cakes, cakes with fun patterns and textures, and cakes decorated with fresh flowers.”

5. Hand-painted wedding cakes. “Some couples get really creative and opt for a hand-painted wedding cake,” Heidi said. “I once created a cake for a couple who’d gotten engaged in Mexico and had these elaborately painted champagne flutes that they used to toast their engagement,” she explained. “They decided that they wanted a hand-painted cake to match perfectly with the champagne flutes,” she continued. “Many people request a hand-painted cake that is inspired by something meaningful to them, such as a picture, and article of clothing, or another memento.”

A cake with bold patterns

6. Color-coordinated cakes. “Many couples are choosing to coordinate both the inside and outside of their wedding cake with the colors of their wedding,” Heidi said. “For example, I’ve had brides choose to make each layer of their cake a different color that matches their flowers or bridesmaids’ dresses,” she described. “It’s kind of cool because it’s like a colorful surprise when you cut into the cake,” she continued. “I’ve also had people get extremely coordinated with a lavender-colored and lavender-flavored cake.”

To learn more about weddings and receptions at Garden of the Gods Club, contact Catering Manager Constanze Strader at 719.520.4978 or cstrader@ggclub.com. If you are looking for an excellent wedding cake vendor, or if you would like to enjoy some delightful pastries, Chef Sugar’s Cakes & Confections offers an excellent selection. To learn more, we encourage you to contact Chef Heidi at 719.260.8600 or info@chefsugar.com.

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A Day in the Life of a Massage Therapist

Massage therapists like helping people.

Many of us have enjoyed a good massage and know just how relaxing it can be. A massage can relax your body and mind, knead your sore muscles, or transport you to a place far away; however, very few of us know what it’s like from the other perspective—the massage therapist.

We have interviewed our very own  Kyle Kolashinski, massage therapist at the Salon and Spa at Garden of the Gods Club, for his perspective on his work. Kyle has more than 19 years of experience as a massage therapist and is also trained in medical massage. Read on for a glimpse into the world of a massage therapist!

GGC:  How does your day at work begin?
Kyle Kolashinski:  I arrive at the spa in the morning to set up the room, turn on the heating bed, and take a look my schedule for the day and upcoming week. Every day is different because everyone’s body is different, which enables me to address different concerns or requests at each guest’s visit.

GGC:  What do you love most about your job?
KK:  I love coming into work each day because the Spa and Salon at Garden of the Gods Club draws people from all over the world, allowing me to meet new people all the time. The most important reason I love being a massage therapist is that I am able to help people. Guests visit us for various reasons (i.e. to release stress, address an injury, or for relaxation) and I am able to make people feel better or help them to forget their day for a period of time. That’s really special.

GGC:  What are some of the main reasons people come to you for a massage?
KK:  Relaxation massages are popular because many of our guests have hectic and stressful schedules or they take care of someone in their personal life or for their job. These massages allow us, as massage therapists, to cater to them and let them leave their worries behind.

The other popular reason for a massage is for therapy. Since many of our Members and guests are golfers, we see some common strains to the lower back, neck, and shoulders as well as some sports injuries.

GGC:  How often should one get a massage?
KK:  I recommend at least once per month. Massages are good on many levels—the skin, muscles, skeletal system, and even the organs. Don’t think of it as a luxury, think of it as maintenance. Just like our houses and our cars, our body needs work. So take care of yourself!

To learn more about the massage services offered at the Spa and Salon at Garden of the Gods Club, or to request an appointment with Kyle or another talented massage therapist, please contact the Spa Concierge at 719.520.4988 or ggcspa@ggclub.com.