Five Tips for Selecting the Perfect Spa Vacation

brian — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:55:09 +0000

Did you know that, according to research conducted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers for the International SPA Association, spa visits in the U.S. have increased almost 60 percent from 2007 to 2009, and that the number of spas in the U.S. has grown at an annual rate of 19 percent in the last five years?

Both day spas and destination spas are becoming increasingly popular. Going to a destination spa (one where you stay overnight as a guest) as a vacation is a wonderful way to nurture yourself and re-energize your body, mind and spirit. Choosing a spa can be confusing as there are so many wonderful ones to visit. Use the following five tips to pick the perfect place for you.

Consider the Location

Do you want to go a spa that is within your state or one that is across the country, or even outside the United States? What type of environment would most nurture you? Would you prefer a spa located in the mountains, on a desert, by the beach or in a lush garden locale? Do you care if there are tourist attractions or nightlife located nearby or would you prefer a more isolated location?

Think About Your Interests

Do you want to go somewhere to be pampered, spend a lot of time in treatment rooms experiencing massages, facials and body wraps and relax without exercising much? Or would you prefer a spa with many sports options such as tennis, golf and hiking? Do you want to go somewhere that focuses on weight loss and perhaps limits the number of calories you eat? Are you interested in broadening your mind by learning more about New Age philosophies? Do you want to experience cutting-edge fitness classes? While all spas offer an array of activities and services, it’s important to find one that offers just what you’re looking for, whether that’s private tennis lessons, ultra-hip mind-body fitness classes or silent meditation retreats.

Analyze Costs

Before setting your heart on a certain spa, check out the costs. Some spas are very affordable, but tend to offer less frills, while others provide anything you would ever want, but charge for it! Be creative. You can find ways to cut the costs. Ask if the spa offers any specials. Sometimes a spa located in a desert might offer a discount during especially hot months. Other spas might hold special bring-a-friend weeks where you and a friend each get a discounted stay. If you are going to the spa alone, you can save money by asking the spa to pair you with one or more roommates.

Consider the Other Spa Guests

Do you prefer to visit a female-only spa or are you happy with a co-ed environment? Would you like an intimate number of spa guests, such as 20 to 40, or enjoy the camaraderie of a few hundred fellow guests?

Research a Variety of Spas

When you’ve narrowed down what you’d like in a spa, research potential locations. Many spas have their own Web sites. You may also want to talk to other people who have been to spas and get their insights.

Rosemary Oil

brian — Sat, 29 May 2010 03:42:04 +0000

The wonderful plant, Rosemary, according to its Latin name, rosmarius, means ‘dew of the sea’. This is because it is known to grow close to the ocean. The essential oil from this super herb has many applications. This is why I am never without a couple of bottles in my house. Here are some of its many uses.

One of Rosemary’s main indications is for boosting concentration. A few drops on a paper tissue, or added to hot water in an oil burner can aid those who are studying or who need to concentrate on a task.

A few drops added to carrier oil and massaged into the head is said to prevent hair loss and / or promote a healthy scalp. Alternatively, add the oil to shampoo or final rinsing water when washing hair.

Rosemary can also be used to alleviate respiratory problems. To help rid colds or to clear sinuses or catarrh, drop some oil into a bowl of hot (not boiling) water. Lean over the bowl with a towel draped over the head and breathe in the antiseptic vapours for a few minutes.

This oil is also excellent for rheumatic or arthritic conditions. When massaged into the skin, it can increase oxygen in the affected area(s). Never rub it directly into the skin though. Always dilute the oil with a base, or carrier oil or sprinkle a few drops into bath water.

Last but not least, Rosemary can help to fight off infection. If you feel a cold coming on, add some to an oil burner (Tea Tree oil is also excellent for this) and let the antiseptic vapours eliminate airborne germs.

This Running Life

brian — Wed, 12 May 2010 10:44:25 +0000

Running has been an important part of my life for 20 years now. Managing to keep on running through life’s many changes and ups and downs has been one of my greatest joys.
I started running in ninth grade, when I was thirteen. A friend urged me to go out for the high-school cross-country team, and I willingly went along. I was immediately caught up in the excitement of the competition, the camaraderie, and all the other glories associated with being part of a team. Although I was never a standout runner, and I did well in school and participated in other activities, track and cross-country were the dominant factors in my adolescent life.

I discovered, somewhat to my surprise, that I continued running even after I graduated and there was no coach to cajole me and no meet on the horizon to motivate me. While I didn’t run competitively in college, I ran for fun, to keep my sanity, and in a somewhat unsuccessful attempt to keep the results of late-night pizza and dining-hall food from hitting me too hard.

After school I kept running, entering lots of local races, doing the obligatory marathon, and always, no matter my work schedule, finding a time and place to run. I have never been much of a morning-run person, and despite the ever-present temptations, usually managed to get myself out of my apartment for an-after work run.

Then came marriage, and the sometimes unspoken tension that lies between a runner and a non-running spouse when it comes to the time consumed by running. For a while my husband did run, usually doing maddeningly well in races on very little training, but it’s just not in his blood, and I not unhappily reconciled myself to running mostly alone.

The home we moved to a few years ago is out in the woods, bordering hundreds of acres of state game lands, broken up only by foot trails and a seldom-traveled dirt road. For a runner, it was a dream. I could literally step out my front door and run for miles without seeing another soul or vehicle. Inspired, I began to seriously step up my running, joining a group of local runners for weekly lunchtime track workouts, actually training for and even preregistering for races rather than jumping in on a whim the morning of the event. In fact, it was after a particularly grueling 10-K that I came back home and, on a hunch, took a home pregnancy test.

Last spring, about six weeks after my daughter was born, I somewhat nervously strapped her into the jogging stroller my parents had gotten me for Christmas. I’d been jogging on a treadmill, so I wasn’t too worried about my physical condition. It was more of a generalized fear, an uncertainty about whether my life as a runner could continue. To my delight, I did just fine managing the contraption, and my baby, who slept through the whole event, didn’t seem to care one way or the other. Even though I had the mighty challenge ahead of finding time to run while working full-time and raising a child, somehow, I knew I’d find a way.

Throughout the months that have followed, we’ve had our moments. Some days she would happily sit and play with her toys through a forty-five minute run, while at other times she’d start screaming about a mile from home and would not accept anything less than being held in my arms until we reached our house. And that dirt road, which had once been so inviting to me, now acts as an obstacle- way too bumpy to push a baby on. So I go back and forth, pushing the jogger on the 1.1 miles of paved roads I can access from my house.

Being a mom has meant I’ve had to get more creative at finding the time, place and energy to fit in my run, without sacrificing time with my daughter. During the winter months, when it became too dark and icy to run outside, my husband hung her baby swing from the basement ceiling, so I could push her while I rode my exercise bike or ran on the treadmill. I’m always trying to plan ahead for the week, to figure out which days I’ll be able to run. Sometimes I think too far ahead and worry about what I’ll do when she’s too big for the jogging stroller. But then I stop worrying, and realize that I will meet that stage of my life head-on, make the adjustments I have to, and keep running.

Guide to Holistic Therapies

brian — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:36:02 +0000

ACUPUNCTURE

These therapies utilize massage/pressure, needles, and sometimes, electrical currents, to activate the qi at certain points along the meridians of energy flowing through the body.

AROMATHERAPY

Essential oils derived from botanicals are used in various methods. Essential oils are very potent, and should not be used without knowledge and caution. The healing
qualities of the oil are determined by the unique combination of constituents they contains. Oils are taken internally and externally, they are useful in massage,
baths, skin applications, treatment of infection, and stress relief.

AYURVEDA

Practiced in India for the past 5,000 years. Principles include three body types: Vata (air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (Earth). Therapies including nutrition, herbs, yoga, breath, meditation, and cleansing, aim to restore balance to the individual.

BIOFEEDBACK

Biofeedback uses various electrical and manual devices to measure a person’s biorhythms and the body’s vital functions. This information can be interpreted, and with
training, the individual uses the feedback to learn to consciously regulate usually unconscious body functions.

BODYWORK

Bodywork includes many different therapies, which focus on improving the structure and functioning of the human body. Some popular techniques include massage, Therapeutic touch, Alexander technique, Rolfing, Pilates,
Feldenkrais, and Qigong. Therapies focus on body tissues, touch, energy, movement, and alignment.

Chiropractors use soft and hard manipulations of the spine and joints to achieve proper alignment and stimulate
improved nerve functioning. Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs; instead they offer natural alternatives, such as herbal therapies.

COLON
THERAPY

Colonic irrigation cleans the entire five feet of the colon. Filtered water, herbs, or oxygen are used. This therapy promotes a healthy colon by eliminating toxic waste. The goal of this therapy is to balance body chemistry and
Restore proper tissue and organ functioning.

DETOXIFICATION
THERAPY

Detoxification helps the body to eliminate toxins, chemicals, and pollutants. Today people are exposed to toxins in far greater concentrations than ever before.
Therapies include diet, juicing, and fasting,
hyperthermia (saunas),Vitamin C therapy, colon therapy, and chelation therapy in which a synthetic amino acid, EDTA, is administered intravenously and removes toxins, heavy metals, and plaque. Detoxification boosts immunity and health, while clearing potential disease out of the body.

DIET/NUTRITION
THERAPY

Diet and nutrition are vital to health and healing. A healthy diet should consist of whole foods, organic vegetables, fruits, legumes, and grains, as the main sources of nutrition. This whole foods diet is high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients, and low in toxins, fats, and harmful additives. There are several theories on what is the healthiest diet, including, whole foods, vegetarian, vegan, raw, organic, and juicing.
Nutritional supplements can also enhance health and healing.

ENERGY
MEDICINE

Energy medicine deals with the electromagnetic energy of the body, as well as detecting and balancing other energy
signals. Some therapies include electroaccupuncture biofeedback and MORA devices, as well as subtle energy
therapies such as magnetic field, light, and sound therapies, polarity therapy, Reiki, qi and aura balancing.

FASTING

Fasting allows the body to cleanse and heal. A great deal of energy is required to digest foods and break down the nutritional components into energy. Fasting allows the
body to eliminate toxins while the intake of new toxins is decreased. Fasting allows more energy to be directed towards cell growth and enhanced immune functions. Fasting also increases awareness and has been used in
many cultures as a spiritual practice. There are several types of fasts including juice, water, and simple foods.

HERBAL
MEDICINE

Herbs have been used in health care by all cultures throughout history. The actions of herbs are based upon the constituents they contain. These constituents are naturally occurring chemicals that have biological activity. Most modern drugs are derived from botanicals, or are synthesized to mimic a natural botanical compound. Herbal medicine is generally much safer than synthetic
medicines, the effects are usually slower, less intense, and less likely to cause dangerous side effects. Herbal medicine can provide a profound transformation in health.

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathic remedies are generally use of natural components from botanicals, minerals, and animals. The Remedies are matched to symptom patterns, and act as a Catalyst to stimulate the body’s natural healing process.

HYDROTHERAPY

Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic use of water to promote and restore health. Hydrotherapy uses hot and cold water, ice, and steam in treatments including partial or full body
baths, saunas and steams, external compresses, and taking fluids internally. Hot water stimulates the immune system, eliminates toxins, soothes and relaxes the body. Cold water reduces inflammation and tones weakened muscles. Hydrotherapy has a long history of use by many cultures.

IMAGERY

Imagery is a powerful tool in mind/body medicine. Imagery is the flow of thoughts in the imagination drawing upon the senses of sight, hearing, feeling, taste, smell, and emotion. Imagery directly affects physiology. Imagery also provides insight into one’s
health and emotions.

MEDITATION

Meditation has been practiced for several thousand years. It is a safe and simple method to balance the body, mind, and spirit. There are many meditation techniques emphasizing relaxation, focus, and awareness. Some examples of meditation are: sitting and being present with the mind and body, observing the breath, focus on a
sound, image, or mantra, and being mindful or aware of sensations and activities by simply noticing them. Meditation plays a positive role in health by inducing
relaxation and its physiological effects, as well as increasing personal control and managing stress.

NATUROPATHIC
MEDICINE

Naturopathic medicine combines many modalities of healing practices. Naturopathic physicians are trained in the sciences, pharmacology, psychology and counseling,
nutrition and exercise, herbal and homeopathic medicine, acupuncture, physical therapies, and various other alternative therapies. The naturopathic medicine system
is based upon these principles: the healing power of nature, treat the cause rather than the effect, first, do no harm, treat the whole person, the physician is a teacher, and
prevention is the best.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Psychology deals with the mind and emotions. A psychotherapist uses counseling, hypnosis, Neuro-linguistic programming, and other various techniques to assist the client in maintaining and promoting mental and emotional well being. This is also helpful in dealing with physical wellness due
to the mind/body connection.

YOGA

The meaning of the word yoga is “union”. Yoga integrates physical, mental, and spiritual energies to promote vitality and well being. The eight limbs of yoga include: yogic postures, breath control, meditation, hygiene and detoxification, and spiritual
practice.

Rx medicines no prescription required

brian — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 10:10:34 +0000

The overseas law requires that one pharmacy overseas can only full the lapsings written for a overseas doctor. However, exactly with these laws, the recent events had shown that pharmacy is still very possible to find one overseas bad. To certify itself that you it makes the research on all pharmacy that overseas you to planear to request of.
To place an order without a lapsing of all pharmacy overseas can be harmful its health. Thus we recommend we always use it highly one pharmacy of the Internet that requires a lapsing when placing all its order of pharmacy overseas.
One pharmacy overseas must only vender medications more than the high quality available. All medications need aprovac,a~0 the government and are excused by one pharmacy overseas entirely permitted and approved (for example using a service as the verifier of the Pharmacy). Each medication must be verified, be verified and be fulled by one pharmacist trained and permitted.
Unhappyly, a number of pharmacies overseas had come under the fire of the FDA to vender meds of the poor quality. To verify with its doctor if you to believe that a lapsing that you received from one pharmacy overseas is not of more than the high quality. In RxNoPrescription.com we inside keep the the most raised patient security guard of the standards -, more highly of what all pharmacy overseas. We believe that the access to the essential drugs of the lapsing must be safe, convenient, and affordable for everything.
For many customers, the benefit foremost of medicines of purchase of the lapsing and other medical sources of one pharmacy overseas are the value of safe from purchase the procedure for the dollar. The laws of the health and the medical care in pharmacy overseas are generally strict and one in such a way different in comparison to the laws of the other country. Almost each medicine under the sun can be bought and vendido with or without a lapsing of one pharmacy overseas more less respectable. However, its proper health is important to always use one pharmacy that it requires a lapsing. This way you is certain that pharmacy is legal. The world of on-line Internet and pharmacies is not always reliable, but you can trust RxNoPrescription.com to conserve it time and money.
When on-line looking for one pharmacy of the Internet, you does not have to limit its to one pharmacy only overseas choice. The United kingdom is also the rest of a well regulated system of the health that can be used to help excepto the money it in its medication. RxNoPrescription.com, a pioneer as one pharmacy on-line BRITISH, chooses above where one pharmacy overseas sae is offering the genuine medicine in a fraction of American prices.
To be certain, in RxNoPrescription.com, based in the United kingdom, you it will always buy on-line medicine that is of the high quality and is regulated completely, more thus of what pharmacy overseas medium. RxNoPrescription.com offers Rx medication by mail order rx no prescription required

brian somalley blog

Five Tips for Selecting the Perfect Spa Vacation

Rosemary Oil

This Running Life

Guide to Holistic Therapies

Erection pills

Rx medicines no prescription required