K Hotel & SPA - London

Nothing like ending  the week end with a good dose of 'spa therapy'! Some serious steam and water therapy were order of the day!
A girlfriend and I headed to a fabulous little urban oasis today called K Hotel & Spa in London's Shepherds Bush. 
Greeted by a very welcoming and informative Kata we were shown around and provided with pristine white waffle gowns, fluffy towels and verruca phobic footwear!
K Spa is fairly small and having arrived early we were fortunate enough to have the wet facilities all to our very selves!
I had kitted us up with exfoliating mitts and face masks for a bit of DIY spa fun in this fabulous contemporary space and we got busy allowing the weeks woes to be washed away. 

After a lengthy steam I hot footed to the Snow room where I wrestled a large stalagmite from the roof to vigorously rub all over me.  GREAT for my sluggish circulation and certainly an immune boost!
Lotions and potions were generously applied and we left rosy and radiant to indulge in coffee and cupcakes before our return to reality!

For more details please go to http://www.k-west.co.uk/kspa.htm

Pictures courtesy of K Hotel & Spa.

Just a tip:
Take a good face mask and hair treatment to apply whilst in the sauna and steam rooms.

Enjoy!

YAY YAY....!!

Have a HAPPY week end!!!

Be Happy!

6.  Take 5-HTP...!
     5- HTP is the pre-cursor to serotonin and when taken daily can increase serotonin levels dramatically.

 

5-HTP Benefits:  (taken from herbwisdom.com)

Most 5-HTP is extracted from the seeds of a woody climbing shrub native to West Africa, called the Griffonia simplicifolia plant.
Widely used to help with obesity (dieting), PMS, migraines, depression, anxiety, insomnia and addictive behaviour. 5-HTP or "hydroxy L-tryptophane" (5-Hydroxytryphophan)  is a naturally-occurring amino acid and  is the precursor and metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin from tryptophan. 5-HTP is converted to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT), with the help of vitamin B6. This occurs both in nervous tissue and in the liver. 5-HTP crosses the blood-brain barrier  (while 5-HT does not) Supplementation with 5-HTP therefore increases production of Serotonin. Serotonin levels in the nervous system are essential for so many aspects of our daily lives. Serotonin is responsible for feelings of well being, satisfaction and for normal sleep patterns. Obesity, PMS, migraines, depression, anxiety, insomnia and addictive behaviour have all been associated with low levels of serotonin. Prescription drugs that raise serotonin levels are prescribed for all of these problems, but many people believe 5-HTP is a natural way to accomplish the same thing.
Serotonin plays an important role in controlling anger, aggression, body temperature, mood, sleep, human sexuality, appetite, and metabolism, as well as stimulating vomiting. It is thought the hectic modern lifestyle of stress and bad eating habits lowers serotonin levels in the body. It is known that irritability, aggression, impatience, anxiety and worrying cause the body to release serotonin. This Serotonin then needs to be replenished by the body from the food you eat. But Serotonin is not found in large quantities in most diets so the body has to makes it itself from foods which contain L-tryptophan, such as chocolate, oats, bananas, dried dates, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, meat, fish, turkey, chicken, sesame, chickpeas, and peanuts. Many people therefore crave the foods listed (fats and carbohydrates), especially when stressed, causing weight gain, depression, headaches, and muscle aches.


Clinical studies have shown that supplementing with 5-HTP produces positive results in weight loss, anxiety and depression. It improves sleep patterns and reduces carbohydrate cravings in those on low carbohydrate diets (such as The Atkins Diet). Anyone using a weight loss program similar to the Atkins Diet could experience a reduction in serotonin levels due to the fact that carbohydrates stimulate serotonin production in the body. Serotonin release is triggered by a carbohydrate load (sugar etc.) and it is thought that's why we often crave Carbohydrates under stress as we want to stimulate this serotonin release. When the brain produces serotonin, tension is eased.  Conversely when the brain produces dopamine or norepinephrine (noradrenaline), we tend to think and act more quickly and are generally more alert. Therefore eating carbohydrates seems to have a calming effect, while proteins increase alertness.

Taking 5-HTP supplements can stop this craving for fats and carbohydrates, as well as providing the body with the means to control all those other functions listed above, such as anger, appetite and sleep.

5-HTP supplements are available at health food stores.  Always consult your doctor before taking any supplement if you are on other medications and especially if you are already on antidepressant medication.

Advanced Nutrition Programmes Metabolic Support contains 5-HTP alongside other vitamins and minerals that help balance and control blood sugar levels and over-eating. 

Available from carleyharrison@btinternet.com

Lemongrass lingers....

Trying to cling onto my recent holiday to Thailand, I am burning Lemongrass all over the house and I just can't get enough of its energising aroma let alone the mouth watering dishes it infuses.

While not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), lemongrass reportedly has a wide variety of therapeutic effects. Because the herb has not been studied extensively in people, its effectiveness is based mainly on the results of animal and laboratory studies as well as its centuries-old reputation as a folk remedy. Lemongrass is used to treat nervous disorders and stomach problems. In the Amazon, lemongrass is highly regarded as a sedative tea.
When taken internally, lemongrass has been recommended for stomach aches, diarrhoea, gas, bowel spasms, vomiting, fever, flu, headaches and other types of pain. The herb (or its essential oil) may be applied externally to help treat acne, athlete’s foot, lower back pain, sciatica, sprains, tendinitis, neuralgia, and rheumatism. To treat circulatory disorders, some authorities recommend rubbing a few drops of lemongrass oil on the skin of affected areas; it is believed to work by improving blood flow.
Like many essential oils, lemongrass is also used in aromatherapy.
Add 2 drops to water in an oil burner and inhale something exotic and energising!

Happy New Year!!!




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