Food on the brain... er, face?

Opening soon in Napa Valley...Spa Terra (of the earth) at the Meritage Resort. It's a plush underground spa, reputed to be the world's first, in the "22,000 square foot Estate Cave." Of course, there's also wine tasting in the massive wine cave. What's not to love?

It's unclear if they're playing up the grapes/wine/massage/body care link, but if I were them, I'd go for it. Wonder if any of the local wineries will ever go this route?

While I haven't had the privilege of a grape seed scrub (on the Spa Terra menu), I have tried sea salt scrubs...and I can vouch for the efficacy of certain foods in terms of skin care. When I lived in Thailand, I found that anything papaya enzymes in it was great for my face (which needed lots of love in the heat, humidity and pollution of Bangkok). Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel works wonders, but other options (I've not tried these) include Alba Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask and Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub. You can also make your own, if you can find the papaya. Wow, and here's one that has pumpkin and papaya!

Of course, The Spa at the Hotel Hershey has chocolate-themed treatments... but this seems like too much for me. (I'd rather eat my chocolate, thank you!) Closer to home, Spa Chocolat opened late last year in Loveland with all its chocolate treatments.

I guess I just want to pick and choose what gets slathered on my skin. And I'll stick to eating my chocolates. Papaya - that'll go both ways.