Holey Holiday

doughnut day, donut day, free donuts, salvation army donut day, sugar treatments, spas and donuts, New Yorkers seem to jump on the bandwagon of any goofy holiday (beer, milkshakes, and carrot cake to name a few) just for the sake of celebrating something. Today is National Doughnut Day, and across the country the fried sugary treats are causing even more frenzy than they usually do. Rightfully so, National Doughnut Day actually has a charitable beginning. Salvation Army volunteers (known as Doughnut Dollies or doughgirls) served donuts to soldiers in WWI as the sweet treat had a long shelf life and was easily delivered. In honor of their service the Salvation Army declared the first Friday of June National Doughnut Day in 1938. The tradition continued as Red Cross Volunteers distributed donuts in WWII, and the rest is pastry history. Though eating a sugary donut is definitely not a step on the path to health and wellness, these sugary spa services offer a sweet, calorie-free alternative. (Disclaimer: Tub of doughnuts not yet offered.)

At The Spa at Pelican Hill (CA), the California Sugar Glow treatment (starting at $130, 50 minutes) uses the spa’s signature California Sugar Scrub, a natural product that blends pure cane sugar with plant extracts, to gently buff and nourish the skin.

At The Spa at El Encanto (Santa Barbara, CA), the Life is Good treatment (starting at $165, 50 minutes) uses espresso, cacao, and pure cane sugar blended with banana blossom to gently buff and nourish the skin.

The Lavender and Seaweed Sugar Scrub Pedicure ($75, 50 minutes) and Wild Lavender and Seaweed Sugar Glow ($130, 50 minutes) at The Woodhouse Day Spa (multiple locations) rely on organic seaweed, wildcrafted lavender buds, and organic sugar to invigorate, exfoliate, and nourish the skin.

What sugar-infused treatments do you offer for spa-goers with a sweet tooth?