Affordable Mom Treats

Sure, back-to-school time is filled with the excitement of fresh starts, sharp pencils and new lunch recipes for some people. But for the rest of us, it’s busy, chaotic and nerve-racking. You need some mommy time right about now.

Go for a pampering massage that you can afford. Vancouver is home to several massage and body-work schools where the students need experience before graduating. The settings may not be all Zen with luxurious fluffy robes, but the services still hit the spot, literally.

Utopia Academy
Chances are you’ve heard of Spa Utopia, which has three locations in Greater Vancouver and is beyond sumptuous. Its school offers full-body Swedish massage (with or without paraffin wax), therapeutic sessions for sports injuries and joint complaints, and pregnancy massage. There’s also hydrotherapy in the form of a steam room and an air-jet tub. A 60-minute massage goes for just $38. (Now breathe)