It all starts with a do it yourself salt scrub!






And ends in a relaxation space upstairs consisting of the most divine water bed loungers.
These are most welcome after the extremes of temperature
from various sauna's to steam rooms, aroma pools, light therapy rooms and plunge pools!
Just when you thought things could not get any better...
a glass of bubbles arrives and after this we venture into the dream
and wave therapy rooms where we quietly doze before heading
back to reality in London!


Spa Amsterdam Zuiver
Koenenkade 8 (Amsterdam Forest)
1081 KH Amsterdam
The Netherlands
T +31 (0)20 301 07 10
F +31 (0)20 301 07 08
E info@spazuiver.nl




Pictures courtesy of google images.

Hooray for Friday!

Whatever you get up to this week end make sure it's fun!  End of the school term beckons some rest and recuperation! I am off to a wedding in Amsterdam and on Sunday some R&R at Amsterdam's Zuiver Spa!  Watch this blog next week for the outcome...

Coconut Water

One way to help prevent dehydration, whether you're braving triple digits for errands or trying to find a shady path to run, is to stock up on coconut water.   I first discovered it doing Bikram Yoga a few years ago, and I got to say its a pretty refreshing tipple served chilled after a hard workout or even if you are suffering the dehyrating effects of a night out!  I also give a small glass to my girls if they have suffered a bout of diarrhoea or tummy upset as it re-hydrates quickly due to the electrolyte content.

• Why drink it?  Coconut water contains many essential electrolytes, including a whopping amount of potassium, which rehydrate you quickly — perfect for a postworkout at any time, but especially important when the heat rises.
• Mix it up. Add coconut water to smoothies, use flavored coconut water to make ice lollies (Vita Coco's acai and pomegranate flavour is a goodie!

Available in Tesco's and most Health Food stores.  Another good brand is Zicco, if you can't find Vita Coco.

Brushed Up

Dry Skin Brushing
If there's one thing we should be doing for our skin, its Skin Brushing...
Dry skin brushing may be the single most important therapy you add to your daily program. Your skin is your largest elimination organ. It releases a pound of waste each day and will be the first organ to show symptoms of imbalance or toxicity.  If your skin cannot efficiently release toxins, you may experience rashes, acne, hives, itchiness, body odor, or even eczema and psoriasis. Dead skin cells, excreted wastes and external pollution (including dirt and skin care products) can build up and clog your pores. Clogged pores inhibit your skin from effectively releasing toxins.

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing:

Everyone knows that exfoliating the skin is great for creating radiant and vibrant looking skin. But did you know it’s also an essential tool for good circulation, strengthening the immune system, stimulating the nervous system, toning the muscles and improving digestion? Here is a list of the many inspiring benefits of dry skin brushing:

• Stimulates blood and lymph flow. The lymphatic system is an important part of your cleansing and immune system. White blood cells called lymphocytes carry nutrients to cells and remove waste. The lymph flows outside of the circulatory system to bathe, cleanse and restore all of our cells, but it must be returned to the blood vessels to dump its waste. It does this through tiny lymph vessels with one-way valves to the heart. If we don’t move the lymph quickly enough we end up with swollen tissues, particularly in the ankles. Exercise, massage and skin brushing help to speed the process and clear the lymphatic system.
• Removes dead skin cells. Dry skin is a sign of detoxification. It is important to remove the dead cells to keep from clogging the system. This will also improve skin texture and renew the skin cells.
• Stimulates the hormone and oil glands. With daily brushing and bathing, the skin can produce the oil needed to stay healthy. Sweating is an important part of detoxification but when your system is clogged, you may experience foul body odor and extra work is put onto the bladder, kidneys and liver. With regular exercise and cleansing the skin, you will notice that your sweat no longer smells. However, with increased detoxing on your whole body cleanse, you may find it gets worse before it gets better.
• Reduces cellulite. I had no idea that skin brushing would lessen cellulite until I started to see it in myself! It requires daily brushing for several months to start to see results. When you massage and stimulate the skin it begins to break up the toxic deposits of stored fatty tissues that pucker the overlying skin into cellulite. Connective tissue massage and releasing stored emotions are also good treatments for cellulite.
• Strengthens the immune system. Dry skin brushing can reduce the length of infections and illness by moving the toxins more quickly through the system and stimulating the lymph to move waste matter out.
• Stimulates the nervous system, tones the muscles, tightens the skin. By stimulating nerve endings in the skin, this technique will rejuvenate your nerves and activate individual muscle fibers, resulting in toner muscles. The increased blood flow to skin, and removing of dead cells, stimulates the creation of new skin cells which tightens and regenerates overall skin health.
• Nurtures your body. Maybe one of the most important benefits of this practice is purely the pleasure of nurturing your body. Learning to love your body is essential for weight loss and the healing of any bodily “dis-ease.” Spend this time, 5-10 minutes per day, giving your body the attention it craves and deserves. Giving it superior support will reward you many times over.

Selecting your Skin Brush
Choose a brush that has natural fiber bristles and a long handle for reaching all of your back. Some have a removable handle and strap for using the brush without the handle. The bristles may feel too firm at first, but your skin will acclimate to this over time. If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to start with a softer brush or use a dry towel in the beginning.
My favorite is one with a detachable long handle but there a variety on the market.

How to Use Your Dry Skin Brush

1. Brush your dry body before you shower or bathe, preferably in the morning.
2. Start at your feet and always brush toward your heart. Use brisk circular motions or long, even strokes.
3. Brush all the way up your legs, then over your abdomen, buttocks, and back. If you have cellulite on your hips and thighs, concentrate their a little longer. For complete dissolving of cellulite, brush for 10 minutes daily for several months.
4. Brush lightly on sensitive areas like breasts and more firmly on areas like soles of the feet.
5. When you reach your arms, begin at your fingers and brush up your arms, toward your heart. Brush your shoulders and chest down, always toward your heart.
6. Avoid brushing anywhere the skin is broken or where you have a rash, infection, cut or wound.
7. Finish by taking a shower and if you choose, use cold/hot therapy to further stimulate the lymphatic system and improve circulation.
8. Dry off vigorously and massage pure plant oils into your skin such as almond, sesame, avocado, coconut, olive or cacoa butter.

Cactus fibre bristle brush available from thenaturalspafactory.com for £8.99.

http://youtu.be/hvso1LeSAjY  will show you briefly and explain what to do...




This feed is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness.
I advise you to follow your own intuition and do your own additional research.
In the case of serious illness, seek the advice of an alternative health care
professional.





































Thanks to Google Images.

Lose WEIGHT feel GREAT!

Metabolic Support

A crucial add on to your supplement programme if your weight fluctuates.  This is a great aid to a healthy controlled diet and exercise plan.

The Key nutrients are:

Chromium:  Balances blood sugar, normalises hunger and reduces cravings.

Garcinia Cambogia:  Slows down the production of fat by stimulating the body's burning of excess calories rather than storing as fat.  Reduces and stabilizes appetite.

5-HTP:  Boosts serotonin to control appetite, enhances mood, reduces cravings for sugar and carbohydrates.

Vit B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Folic Acid:  Energy production.

30 day supply. 

Take one tablet between meals.

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Not tested on animals.

Support with a Skin Vitality 1, 2 or Provitality Formula.

Not advisable for pregnancy, individuals taking Fenfluramine or anti-depressants.



Skin Defender - Advanced Nutrition Programme

Skin Defender

2000 Deaths a year in Britain are attributed to melanoma.  Cases are doubling every year!

Skin Defender is for those who are likely when they are away to suffer from a burning episode and like to be in the sun between 12 and 4pm.  This is by no means a replacement for your SPF, but it can protect skin better from UV and the elements.

Contains a cocktail of anti-oxidants : 

Selenium:  Skin Cancer prevention

Zinc:  Healing.  Supports growth, repair and renewal.

Vit E:  Effective UV filter

Beta Carotene

Vit C

Green Tea:  All powerful antioxidants

Lycopene:  Protects against sunburn.

Curcumin:  Protects cells from radiation

Grapeseed Extract:  Prevents collagen breakdown, healing.

Recommended for anyone exposed to sunlight.  Helps prevent and protect from pigmentation.

One capsule daily with a meal.   2 Month supply. 

Developed by Patrick Holford and Lorraine Perretta.

Thanks to iiaa for image.

Pilates

Several months ago I was fortunate to have found an excellent pilates instructor called
Fiona Barbour-Smith who does a 6 persons mat class from her beautiful basement in Chiswick.

Its taken me a while to get into it and I would certainly benefit from 2 or more days a week, however I am reaping the rewards with a huge improvement in my core strength and a major reduction in the back ache I had previously suffered.

Unlike some forms of exercise, Pilates does not over-develop some parts of the body and neglect others. While Pilates training focuses on core strength, it trains the body as an integrated whole. Pilates workouts promote strength and balanced muscle development as well as flexibility and increased range of motion for the joints.  Workouts are tailor-made to the individual and suit a range of ages and abilities.









Thanks to moredesignplease.com for this image through Pinterest.