Water, Water Everywhere, Now Let’s All Have a Drink!
By Anonymous in Food on Aug 4, 2005 3:40AM
Being the “It” people we are (stop chuckling to yourselves), Chicagoist found themselves at the elegant Spa Space on 161 N. Canal for an event surrounding the introduction of a new brand of water called Contrex.
We know what you are thinking...we need another water like we need another Starbucks, but Contrex does have some attributes you may be interested in...it’s one of the only mineral waters that doesn’t actually taste like minerals. Or metal. Or the Chicago River. The reason is that the minerals in the water, calcium and magnesium, are “naturally occurring,” meaning the bottlers aren’t adding anything to the water themselves as an afterthought. It is also not carbonated, something Chicagoist does not particularly care for after a horrifyingly salty experience with some such nonsense many years ago.
Contrex doesn’t sound very French (more like an allergy pill, don’t you think?) but it’s short for Contrexeville, a town in France, where their water comes from the Vosges Mountains and bottled by Nestle Waters North America (Nestle? Oy! Next time we need chocolate water!). At $1.99 for a liter and $5.99 for 6 bottles in .5 liter sizes, it’s about the same as the average bottle of water, plus you get your minerals to boot. So get some before your bones turn to dust, people, we’re not going to tell you twice.
Also at the event was Ellie Krieger, a registered dietitian who has recently penned a new book, Small Changes, Big Results, and was there to discuss how water is necessary in keeping you healthy, hydrated, and let’s face it, alive. No really, that last one is kind of important. Ellie has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and has been on CNN and national morning news shows including Today, although we’re guessing Ellie’s Q Score is much higher than Katie’s is right now (oh Katie, tsk, tsk). When we asked her why, oh why, does every news report contradict the last one when it comes to health, she brought up a great point: “News is revolutionary, and science is evolutionary.” We might just make that our new personal motto. Or at least put it on a bumper sticker. Ellie is right, we do like our drama, particularly with the news, and we also look for quick fixes, let’s face it. Her philosophy is not about denying yourself or a set of rules, it’s setting up your lifestyle to work with you.
Courteous hostess of the event was Spa Space owner Natalie Tessler (Ellie is on the right of the picture, Natalie on the left, Contrex bottles in the middle). Natalie began her career as an attorney but thought better of it and decided to help people instead! Passionate about what she does, she has created a calm atmosphere where you can get a manicure, pedicure, facial, body treatment, and massages for both men and women. Each room has a different name, like Heaven, Air, Water, Subpoena...okay, we made that last one up. And this place smelled soooo good! Their signature treatment, which Chicagoist has actually read about in magazines, is the Pineapple Papaya Pacific Paradise. We do love alliteration with our spa treatments. This one is a 30 minute pineapple-papaya body scrub, followed by an entire hour-long massage with kukui-coconut oil for $150. Stick an umbrella in us and we’re being served at an all-inclusive in Cozumel. Polite service at front desk makes this a place you want to come back to and bring a group or clients (their group appointments are so popular, they are expanding their space 50%). Finally, the valet parking makes it easier to be poured into your car after a spa service. So grab a bottle of Contrex, Ellie’s book, and head over to Spa Space. You’ll be glad you did.
Contrex, www.contrex-usa.com, you can find at Whole Foods & Wild Oats
Ellie Krieger, www.elliekrieger.com, has info on her philosophy & book
Spa Space
161 N. Canal (between Randolph and Lake)
Chicago
312.466.9585
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-8pm
Tuesday, 12pm-8pm
Saturday, 9am-6pm, and Sunday 11am-5pm
www.spaspace.com