COVID-19 Masks

Your Safety Our Concern

A Message From Dr. Karen Kissinger, owner of Sonrisa Salon and Day Spa.

The unfortunate news from Springfield Missouri concerning two hair stylists at a chain salon exposing over 140 clients to Covid-19 has raised concerns about the safety of seeing clients. It was reported that both stylists reported to work and were allowed to serve customers despite having symptoms of the virus. Read more

Sonrisa Day Spa Holiday

How To Not Be The Grinch This Holiday Season

How To Avoid Holiday Stress

As a health and wellness coach, I know about the effects of stress on the body, especially around the holiday season. There are excessive demands on our precious resources during the season. Our health and finances are often impacted by those demands. Do you often catch that miserable virus or feel sleep deprived? So many of us experience anxiety over gift giving and finding the perfect gift. This year, enjoy the season and stay healthy. Read more

Serving Our Communities

Many of you know that I believe in strong community service that is why I am excited to announce that I was recently elected to the Board of Directors for BASE-KC; Building a Sustainable Economy Kansas City.

“The mission of BASE-KC is to provide a local network of socially and environmentally responsible businesses for mutual support, education and growth. Our network will inspire creative ideas to bring prosperity and well being to all Americans, regardless of their economic standing, race, religion or gender. We will bring together our collective power to shift markets and influence policy to achieve our vision for our local communities, our state of residence, our country and the world.”

This organization fits well with Sonrisa as a green business featuring natural and organic products, as well as my focus as a life and wellness coach. I’m very proud to be part of this fine organization and associated with the great people who are working to make this a better community.

As we start a new year I encourage you to make community service a part of your focus for 2015. A recent Gallup study found that those who serve their communities are happier and have reduced levels of stress so it’s a win-win.

 

Miracle Off 64th Street

Miracle Off 64th Street!  The sign at the entrance to Village of Burlington Creek reads “Miracle Off 64th Street” describes the ongoing event sponsored by the businesses and merchants to bring some joy to families in need this holiday season.  The business owners are offering special incentives to encourage food donations to Harvesters before Christmas. To kick off the event, KC Ice provided free skating to donors during the tree lighting ceremony that featured picture taking with Santa!  Sonrisa is proud to provide a free customized fragrance to anyone who brings in a food donation.

With your help, the businesses and merchants at the Village of Burlington Creek will donate thousands of dollars of food this holiday season to Harvesters just when people may need it the most.

aveda happy holidays

Even Greener

Sonrisa Salon and Day Spa is Going Even Greener

It is no secret the Sonrisa Salon and Day Spa enjoys the Gold Level Green Certification from Green America, but we also donate our time and financial resources each year to our AVEDA Water Partners during Earth Month. Every year we do an energy audit and purchase carbon offsets through Native Energy and this year our offsets were used to support The Green Farm Initiative.

I purchased an electric golf cart for transportation to and from the business this year and use it on days that do not require me to leave the shopping center area. I was also asked to be on the board of directors for BASEKC– The Business Alliance for a Sustainable Economy-Kansas City.

As we begin to wind up this year and plan for the next lets all endeavor to make “greener” choices and leave this world a better place than we found it.

Happy Holidays!

 

Cholesterol 101

Cholesterol: The Good, Bad and the Ugly

Cholesterol is both created by your body and can be ingested through the foods you eat. There is “good” and “bad” cholesterol.

Good Cholesterol (HDL), is considered beneficial because it helps remove LDL cholesterol (“bad” artery clogging cholesterol) from the arteries. HDL carries LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down and passed from the body. Individuals need healthy HDL levels (guide below) to keep their LDL levels in check. Think of HDL as “happy” cholesterol.

Bad Cholesterol (LDL), is harmful because it contributes to plaque that can clog arteries and make them less flexible. Clots can block arteries resulting in heart attack or stroke. Clots can also cause blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the legs (peripheral artery disease) resulting in constant leg pain or even open sores. Peripheral artery disease can also lead to heart attack or stroke. Think of LDL as “lousy” cholesterol. Read more

Feel Great, Look Even Better

Ah Spa- that’s the life for a pampered prince or princess, au contraire mon frère- People of all ages and professions are carving out time for self care and spa services. They are realizing that these services are necessities for healthy life balance rather than luxuries. With all of the research indicating that increased cortisol levels cause inflammation and stress related illnesses, many are enjoying the health benefits of spa services. All of our salon and spa services at Sonrisa include complimentary wellness rituals. Here are a few and some of the health benefits associated with them.

Relaxing Stream

Inflammation 101

The word inflammation comes from the Latin “inflammo”, meaning “I set alight, I ignite”. It is the body’s attempt at self-protection; the aim being to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells and irritants and begin the healing process. It is part of the body’s immune response. Initially, it is beneficial when, for example, you cut your hand and tissues need repair or protection. However, sometimes inflammation can cause further inflammation.

Read more

Spiritual Wellness and Park Rx

In June I attended the National Wellness Conference in Minneapolis. It was a great time for re-connecting with friends and colleagues in the wellness profession. My next few posts will highlight some of the information that I gleaned from the conference.

This month’s wellness inspiration is inspired by Spiritual Wellness, being connected to something greater than ourselves. During the summer months, we get to enjoy Read more

Sonrisa Salon Day Spa

Wellness for Hands and Nails

Why we switched from UV to LED nail lights

Two years ago Sonrisa Salon and Day Spa switched from UV nail lights to the safe LED lights, which have been used for years to treat sun damage and generate new collagen. We provide the safest nail products available and our sanitation system goes well beyond industry standards which is an important point to consider as nail fungus issues from nail salons is on the increase.

Age Renewal for Hands coming in October-During our spa training I volunteered to receive the Aveda facial from our trainer and as he finished the luxurious treatment he applied and massaged a serum on my right hand and said “look girls at the difference between her hands.” I could not believe the difference in my two hands. I told him that we needed a rejuvenating treatment for hands and he smiled and said, “coming soon.” I looked at my right hand and wished that he had left me a sample for my left hand. I cannot wait to get my hands on this new treatment!!