Noosa Spa at the South Pacific Resort on the Sunshine Coast

A Spa Site Guest Article by Susan E. Mitchell, CFE, a reformed Cordon Bleu chef, culinary consultant, cookbook author/stylist (x6), travel-adventure writer and former B&B resident Chef in Hayden Lake, Idaho.

Contact Information  South Pacific Resort Noosa Spa of Health, Hair and Beauty • Address:  179 Weyba Road Noosaville Australia  07 5473 1340 • Web Site Other Articles by Susan E. Mitchell  • Sleeping Over - Spa Services for B&B's Contact  Susan E. Mitchell • Address:  Mooloolaba  Australia • Phone: 07 5477 6283    • Email: fstnfrsh@hotkey.net.au   • Web Site: http://www.fstnfrsh.com  Books by  Susan E. Mitchell Arranging Food Beautifully 30 Minute Meals Spas in Australia • Resort, Hotel, and Destination Spas in Australia • Day Spas in Australia

The Noosa Spa at the South Pacific Resort in Noosaville, Australia offers an indulging and intimate spa experience. Only the best quality products are chosen that have been manufactured with an eco-conscious philosophy. 

 They have a most sybaritic environment and treatments with a genuinely friendly spa goddess staff. This extended family of staff welcomes both locals and tourists alike.  Over the last 3 years Sharryn Wightley and her practitioners – spa goddesses - have gotten to know whole families including the new son-in-law, daughters, friends of family and more! 

Sharon herself tossed me into a warm bath of rose petals! Actually, I gracefully entered the bath in a languorous fashion. Australian champagne was offered or herbal tea and your partner in fun may join in the treatments, too. This unique treat goes down well for mums and daughters, bridal days and simply friends who need rejuvenation. 

As a foodie, what I particularly enjoyed is the skin scrub with jasmine oil and spices plus a yoghurt and honey rub. Another aromatic food scrub includes a recipe of crushed walnuts lavender and aloe to cleanse and exfoliate, leaving the skin smooth and glowing. Finally, for super dry, thirsty skin enjoy an intensive revitalizing avocado wrap for 90 minutes. A full body scrub with Dead sea salt sloughs off dead skin to allow maximum penetration of an application of an organic unrefined avocado oil. You are wrapped in soft towels and a thermal blanket envelopes you in gentle heat. Result….soft, beautiful, gleaming skin. 

For a spa luncheon and in keeping with the South Pacific ambience a bounteous tropical fruit platter is served. When I am 'prepping' fruit salad for some catered affair, I often rub some mango on my face and lips because it's so softening and enriching to the skin. This is usually in the privacy of my own test kitchen. 

In any event, here are three recipes. The first is a yummy Queensland Cuisine Fruit Salad and Fruit Soup with a Buderim Ginger Yogurt Dressing and a Bundaberg Ginger Beer broth that you can try at home. I recommend papaya as well as avocado or mango for the face and lips! The second is Coastal Compose Greens Salad, a traditional and colorful salad with a symphony of flavors. The third is Ginger Citrus Honey Mint Dressing, a tasty, zesty sweeter dressing for fruit salads, or green or meat/poultry/seafood salads that also contain fruit.

QUEENSLAND CUISINE  FRUIT SOUP
4 Servings

From the land of the banana-benders, this is actually superb as a summer soup, appetizer, or dessert. 

2 cups (1 12-oz. pkg.) mixed dried fruits
2 1/2 cups Each water and Bundaberg Ginger Beer
2 lady or gold finger bananas, thickly sliced
1-2 mangos peeled and diced
1/2 lemon sliced
1 Tbsp. Tapioca
1/4 tsp. salt (opt.)
1/2-1 cup Bundaberg Sugar
1 stick cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Each mace and nutmeg 

Mix ingredients and simmer, covered, until fruits are tender (about 30-40 min.).  Add mango and bananas and remove cinnamon. Process or blend until pureed.  Serve hot or cold.

COASTAL COMPOSE GREENS SALAD
6-8 Servings

This is a traditional and colorful salad with a symphony of flavors. Layer it, composing a pinwheel with the ingredients, and serve it in a nice large glass bowl. 

3 oranges, peeled and sectioned
2 jicama** or 2 tart cooking apples, peeled and diced
3 bananas, peeled and sliced – may dry these (opt.)
3 slices fresh pineapple cut into cubes
Shredded mix of lettuces
1/2 cup diced, toasted peanuts or walnuts
Seeds from 1 pomegranate (optional)** 

Line a salad bowl with the lettuce; fill the center with the salad and garnish with nuts and pomegranate seeds.
If stick of sugar cane is available, peel, chop and add to the salad.

GINGER CITRUS HONEY MINT DRESSING
4-6 Servings

This is a tasty zesty sweeter dressing for fruit salads, or green or meat/poultry/seafood salads that also contain fruit. It is excellent over new potatoes or even morning museli! 

1 cup EA buttermilk and light sour cream
3-4 Tbsp. chopped mint
2 Tbsp. Buderim Ginger Pulp
1 Tbsp. Buderim Green Ginger Puree
1-2 Tbsp. EA honey, lime and lemon juice
1 EA grated rind of lemon and lime 

In a blender or food processor blend all ingredients until thoroughly combined and smooth. Cover label and date.

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