Hudson Valley Holiday Parties: Beating Holiday Stress Top Ten

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and “The Holidays” aren't far behind.  If you’re like most people in the Hudson Valley, holiday stress can significantly impact your enjoyment of the season.  With the family on their way, holiday parties to plan, gifts to buy, and endless cooking and cleaning, stress can quickly add up for a less than happy holiday.

The Hudson Valley has so much to offer throughout the holiday season that we shouldn't let stress get in the way.  Take a look at our Top Ten Ways to Beat Holiday Stress, and learn some effective techniques to keep your holiday stress in check.

Top Ten Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

10. Breathe Easy!

When holiday stresses mount, our bodies can react with a fight or flight response which includes excess muscle tension and increased breathing rate.  Practice this deep breathing technique and short-circuit your holiday stress.

•  Recognize that a situation is triggering your stress symptoms. 

• Break into a big, sparkly smile.  If you are in a public place then this can be an inward smile. This triggers a release of endorphins, your body's natural feel-good chemicals. 

• Make a positive affirmation.  For example "I can do this" or “Be calm.” This counters the typical negative thoughts that may accompany stress. 

• Take an easy, deep breath. Imagine this diaphragmatic breath coming up through the soles of your feet and filling your abdomen. 

• As you exhale, let your jaw go loose, unclench your teeth, and allow your shoulders to relax. Imagine a wave of warmth flowing through your body.

9. Get Your Groove On

Listening to music while decorating for the holiday or preparing for company can be a great stress reliever by providing a mental distraction, reducing muscle tension and decreasing stress hormones. Crank up the volume and let your mind be absorbed by the music, not by your to-do list.  

8. Start a Holiday Journal

Writing out our thoughts and feelings can be a good release for otherwise pent-up emotions. Don't think about what to write — just let it happen. Write whatever comes to mind. No one else needs to read it, so don't strive for perfection in grammar or spelling.  Once you're done, you can toss out what you wrote, or save it to reflect on when stresses mount next holiday season!

7. Go to Bed!

Stress often makes getting quality sleep difficult. Your sleep can suffer when the stress of holiday party planning leaves you with too much to do and too much to think about.  But missing sleep prevents your brain and body from recharging, and can adversely affect your mood, energy level, concentration and overall functioning. If you experience trouble sleeping, make sure that you have a quiet, relaxing bedtime routine, listen to soothing music, put clocks away, and stick to a consistent schedule.

6.  Visit the Spa

There’s no better way to melt away holiday stress than treating yourself to a soothing soak in a spa Jacuzzi followed by a relaxing massage.  The Hudson Valley Resort’s spa professionals can help you select just the right holiday massage therapy or body treatment to ease your tension, revitalize your spirit, rejuvenate your mind, and regain a true sense of well-being and relaxation.  

5. Delegate, and learn when to say no!

You can’t do everything yourself, at least not without paying the price. Learn when to say no, and effectively delegate tasks.  Taking on too much at once may prevent conflict, but it can also lead to stress, anger and resentment when your needs and the needs of your family get lost in the holiday hustle. 

4. Try Yoga

Yoga is becoming an increasingly popular stress reliever.  Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping you relax and manage stress and anxiety. Try yoga on your own or join a class:  Hatha yoga, in particular, is a good stress reliever because of its slower pace and easier movements. 

3. Laugh it off

A good sense of humor can’t cure what ails you, but it can definitely make you feel better- even if you have to force it through your holiday grumpiness. Laughing lightens your mental load and actually causes positive physical changes in your body. So read some jokes, tell some jokes, watch a holiday comedy or hang out with your funny friends.

2. Get Moving!

Virtually any form of exercise and physical activity can act as a stress reliever. You do not have to be an athlete or even in great shape. Physical activity pumps up your feel-good endorphins and refocuses your mind on your body's movements; improving your mood and helping your holiday stress fade away.  

1. Let someone else do all the work!

Give us a call, and we’ll take care of it all!  Planning your holiday party at the Hudson Valley Resort is the easy and affordable way to beat holiday stress!  With over 41,000 sq. ft. of versatile meeting space, banquet halls, performance venues and ballrooms, there's no better place to share the holiday spirit with your friends, family, or coworkers! 

Our professional event planners are with you every step of the way to help create the perfect holiday party this season, and our world-class catering team can custom tailor your menu to suit your group's tastes and holiday wishes.

Gracefully set on more than 400 wooded acres in the heart of the Shawangunk mountains, we're perfectly situated just 90 miles from NYC, just over the river and through the woods!

From intimate to grand scale, we'll work with you to create lasting holiday memories which suit your tastes, and your budget.  

Give us a call and find out just how easy and affordable your holiday party can be at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa! 

International Musik Fest: Polka Party with Adam Barthalt!

International polka superstar Adam Barthalt will be returning to the Hudson Valley once more this November, bringing with him an all-star polka lineup for the acclaimed semiannual “International Musik Fest” at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa!

If you’re a polka fan or just like to polka party, you will not want to miss this three day event featuring memorable performances from your favorite polka legends, as well as some of the hottest new polka stars!

An International Polka Association Music Hall of Fame and National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame inductee, Adam Barthalt has received numerous accolades for his musical achievements, and has been honored with awards from the Austrian National Tourist Office and the Government of Slovenia for his many cultural contributions.

Be sure to catch his performance this November, and you’ll understand why he’s brought a smile to so many faces!

We’ll have your toes tapping to the music at the International Musik Fest this November with exciting performances from the other talented musicians appearing, including:

Walter Ostanek 

Canada's undisputed Polka King, three-time Grammy award winner Walter Osternek has recorded over 80 albums, has been the recipient of numerous industry awards and accolades, and has been honored with several prestigious lifetime achievement awards.

Bob Kravos

Nephew of Polka legend Frankie Yankovic, Bobby grew up playing accordion and has appeared on more than 70 recordings, including 16 of his own.

He has earned nine major polka music awards and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2004.

The Polka Quads

Bringing an exciting blend of vocals and a style which is truly all their own, the Polka Quads have put together an eclectic arrangement of bouncy polkas, waltzes, Yankovic favorites and Croatian and Slovenian traditionals.  One thing's for sure, when the Polka Quads take the stage, you'll want to get up a dance!

Frank Moravcik 

Known for his ability to perform a wide variety of different styles of polka music and popular dance tunes,  Frank Moravcik has been a recipient of the Musician of the Year Award and his band has received numerous nominations for Band of the Year and Album of the Year.

The Adlers 

The Adlers song list and styles have evolved continually over the years, which has proven a successful foundation for their musical development. While their early days offered mostly traditional German & Austrian polka, The Adlers remain as relevant now as ever, having incorporated a good deal of party music loved by polka people of all ages.

Fritz Scherz

Playing everything from modern-style polka to country to rock and even blues, Fritz’s Polka Band performs an eclectic mix of musical styles!  Not your typical oompa pa band, Fritz is known for breaking the stereotype of what it means to be a polka musician today.

Joseph Weber

Joe began playing professionally with the Louie Unger Edelweiss Band at the age of 11.  After more than 45 years in the industry, Joe is now known for his skill with the accordion, the button box, keyboards, baritone horn, and singing.  Enjoyed at many festivals & Oktoberfests for playing a variety of music, his first love remains his specialty: Austrian and German Polka.

Don’t miss these, and other popular polka performers at the International Musik Fest at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa this November 16th, 17th, and 18th!  It’s going to be an event to remember, with packages including six delectable meals and a comfortable, well appointed room for the weekend.  It’s a non-stop polka party, featuring a welcome party, a cocktail party, a pizza party, a bloody Mary and screwdriver party, and more!

The Hudson Valley Resort also features a full service European Health Spa with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, a championship 18-hole golf course, heated indoor pool, glass enclosed fitness centers, tennis and basketball courts, arcade center and more!

Autumn Attractions & Fall Foliage

It’s nearly peak leaf peeping season here in the Hudson Valley, and our gorgeous mountain views and quaint country roads are stunningly adorned with spectacular hues of gold, burgundy and crimson.  

The foliage this year is especially brilliant, and with so many fantastic fall activities and harvest attractions to explore, there’s never been a better time to plan your visit to the Hudson Valley.

There’s nowhere more beautiful than the Hudson Valley in autumn, and no place in the Hudson Valley offers visitors a better opportunity to experience this beauty than Minnewaska State Park.  

The white austerity of the Shawangunk Ridge affords sweeping panoramic views of sapphire blue sky-lakes which contrast magnificently against regal gold and burgundy foliage.  It’s truly a sight to behold.

Visitors to the Hudson Valley can take advantage of exciting harvest attractions while enjoying the scenic views.  

Offering traditional October activities like pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes and more, a trip to nearby Kelder’s Farm and Saunderskill Farms is a great way to get out and experience the height of the season.

Of course, Halloween is right around the corner, and there’s no better way to get into the spirit than a terrifying trip to the Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses.

Now celebrating it’s 20^th year, this horrifying Halloween attraction has been named “#1 on the Planet” by The New York Daily News.

This year’s scream-fest promises to be better than ever, featuring the Glutton's Slaughter House, The Root Cellar, Dark Harvest Corn Maze, Nightshade Greenhouse, The Feeding, Dahlia Blood's Manor, and other terrifying treats.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy the magnificent beauty of our stunning fall foliage and take advantage of traditional harvest happenings, or if you prefer to hurtle headfirst into Halloween horror, the Hudson Valley is the place to be to experience the best autumn attractions and activities.

The Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is ideally located within minutes of these and other exciting opportunities for fall fun!  That's why we're offering guests a free Hudson Valley Fall Foliage driving tour to help you celebrate the season!  

Featuring an 18 hole championship golf course, a full-service European spa and fitness center with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, heated indoor pool, tennis and basketball courts, game room and more, it’s the perfect place to stay while exploring the Hudson Valley!

So call or click today, and we'll help you make the most of your stay!

http://hudsonvalleyresort.com

Kick the can! Try this fresh pumpkin pie recipe!

The Hudson Valley harvest is well underway, and there’s no better way to reap the rewards of the region’s farm-to-table movement than with a nice slice of fresh pumpkin pie.

This time of year, most of us take pumpkin pie for granted, eagerly purchasing prepackaged pies from the store, or even baking “homemade” pies ourselves with brownish glop from an aluminum can.   

It's time to kick the can!  Pumpkin pie is a great American harvest tradition, and the only way to make a truly great pumpkin pie is to honor that tradition by using only fresh pumpkins, picked straight from the field. 

Saunderkill Farms and Kelder’s Farm are each great places for picking pumpkins in the Hudson Valley, and they're both right down the road from the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa.  Not only do they produce excellent pumpkins, but they also offer some great harvest activities which are fun for the whole family!  

You won’t believe how simple it can be to bake your own fresh pumpkin pie the traditional way using our favorite fall recipe: give it a try, and you’ll see why the Hudson Valley farm-to-table movement is gaining ground.

What you’ll need:

For the Pumpkin Puree:
1 Farm fresh sugar pumpkin (4-6 lbs)
Kosher Salt

For the Crust:
6 ounces gingersnap cookies
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 ounce unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling:
1 cup half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk

First, prepare the Pumpkin Puree:  Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Slice a small piece of skin off the one side of the pumpkin so when laid on its side, the pumpkin will lay flat without rolling. Remove the stem and split the pumpkin in half from top to bottom, using a large cleaver and a mallet. Scoop out the seeds and fiber with a large metal spoon or ice cream scoop. Cut the fibers with kitchen shears if necessary. Reserve seeds for another use.

Sprinkle the flesh with kosher salt and lay the halves, flesh side down, on a parchment paper-lined half sheet pan. Roast until a paring knife can be easily inserted and removed from the pumpkin, 30 to 45 minutes. Test in several places to ensure doneness.

Remove the half sheet pan to a cooling rack and cool the pumpkin for 1 hour. Using a large spoon, remove the roasted flesh of the pumpkin from the skin to the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth, 3 to 4 minutes.

Now, prepare the crust:  Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.  Combine the gingersnaps, brown sugar, and ginger in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the cookies are fine crumbs. Drizzle the butter into the crumb mixture. Pulse 8 to 10 times until combined.

Press the gingersnap mixture into the bottom, up the sides, and just over the lip of a 9-inch glass pie dish. Place on a half sheet pan and bake the crust for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool crust at least 10 minutes before filling.

And then, prepare the fresh pumpkin pie filling: Bring 16 oz. of your pumpkin puree to a simmer over medium heat in a 2-quart saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the half-and-half, nutmeg, and salt. Stir and return the mixture to a simmer. Remove the pumpkin mixture from the heat and cool for 10 minutes.

Lastly, prepare your pie!  Whisk the brown sugar, eggs, and yolk until smooth in a large bowl. Add the pumpkin mixture and whisk until thoroughly combined. Pour the prepared filling into the warm pie crust and bake on the same half sheet pan until the center jiggles slightly but the sides of the filling are set, 45 to 50 minutes.

Cool on a cooling rack for at least 2 to 3 hours before slicing. Pie can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance. Pie is best the day after it is made.

Planning a trip to experience pumpkin picking in the  Hudson Valley?  Take a look at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa!  

Featuring 270 clean and comfortable guest rooms, a full service health spa, championship golf course, and so much more, we're perfectly located within minutes of your favorite fall activities!  

Apple and pumpkin picking, haunted houses and hay-rides,  corn mazes and more- the Hudson Valley is at the center of it all!

Upstate Conference Center for Group Events and Retreats

Located just 90 miles from New York City, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is gracefully set within 400 wooded acres adjacent to the magnificent Minnewaska State Park.  

Nestled in the heart of the fabled Shawangunk mountains, and surrounded by gorgeous Catskill views, the Hudson Valley Resort is the perfect choice for your next conference or group event!

With more than 41,000 sq. ft. of versatile meeting space, performance venues, and banquet halls, we're certain to have just the facilities you're looking for!

Take a look at this brief video to learn about our exciting conference center features and amenities, and then give us a call to see how easy and affordable conferencing at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa can be!