NEW YEAR CHANGES

 ~ this article is dedicated to my younger sister, Laurita ~

While the first month of the new year is history, I do find a new year to be energizing, because it’s a clean slate for new beginnings, new possibilities and new opportunities.  Change is also part of a new year.  Some of the changes I look forward to include experiencing more spa destinations to review, attending more industry conferences and expos, meeting new people, networking, gaining a better understanding of myself and others, learning from the previous year’s experiences, and testing more new and innovative products that simplify and enhance lifestyles.

In my first article of the new year, “The Labyrinth As Teacher”, I share my observations and lessons learned from journeying a labyrinth and how they apply to everyday situations.  In this edition, I share with you my recent experiences with new and innovative products that will simplify and enhance your lifestyle.  Enjoy!

~ For Home or On The Go ~

NYR Organic ~ Neal’s Yard Remedies (NYR) began in 1981 in the UK with a simple philosophy that health and beauty could be best achieved naturally and without synthetics or additives.  NYR is now the leading natural and organic skincare company in the UK, Japan and Dubai, with expanding retail channels throughout the U.S.  With its simple yet enlightened philosophy, products must also exemplify it with products formulated with ingredients that are pure, natural, organic plant-based herbs, oils and extracts, and which are also non-toxic and cruelty-free; products must also be efficacious and benefit the whole person.  One of the line’s top sellers and customer favorites is their Rejuvenating Frankincense line, which firms, tones and nourishes.  Frankincense, a resin from the boswella tree (Lebanon), is prized for its cell regeneration and anti-inflammatory properties; it also minimizes scarring and heals sores and wounds.  I tried the NYR Frankincense Organic Face Collection, which included Hydrating Cream, Refining Cleanser and Toner; the kit also comes with an organic cotton muslin cloth.  Some of the Cleanser ingredients included frankincense oil and the following organic ingredients – coconut oil, cocoa butter, baobab oil, mandarin oil and bergamot oil.  The Cleanser’s consistency was rich and dense, and perfect for my winter-dry skin; very concentrated, so a small amount was all I needed; it rinsed off easily without leaving any residue and was gentle.  Some of the Toner ingredients included frankincense oil, organic mandarin oil, organic aloe vera and myrrh oil.  The Toner was was cooling and removed any miniscule traces of Cleanser, leaving it slightly hydrated and prepped for the Hydrating Cream.  Some of the Hydrating Cream ingredients included frankincense and myrrh and the following organic ingredients – almond oil, jojoba oil, marigold extract, apricot kernel oil, borage oil, carrot oil and aloe vera.  The Cream was rich and dense and again, very little was needed; it was quickly absorbed and didn’t leave any tacky residue and added a wonder level of hydration to the skin.  https://us.nyrorganic.com/shop/deniseagnew 

Ohm Universe* ~ One of the most effective ways for people to reduce their stress levels and ultimately relax is for them to get their mind off of the stress by focusing thought patterns and personal energy on something else.  This is also the premise of meditating.  Often, taking in deep breaths and focusing on the mechanics of breathing will reduce stress and lead an individual into a state of relaxation.  Ohm Universe has come up with an innovative hand held device, shaped like an egg, that vibrates and can be synchronized with one’s breathing patterns and is ideal for reducing stress, relaxation or meditation.  What I liked about the device is that it can be recharged from a computer or from a wall outlet.  The company also offers downloadable software for variable breath patterns; currently the software is only compatible for Windows-based computers; a Mac version, which is what I’d need, is being tested.  While holding the device, the individual concentrates on inhaling and exhaling in a measured and deliberate way.  Doing so diverts tension and stress onto the breathing pattern, while inducing relaxation and reducing stress.  http://www.ohmuniverse.com/

Olivia Garden ~ Whether your hair is straight, short, medium or longer length, Olivia Garden’s Kerabrush collection will keep the tresses in peak form.  High performance bristles are based on Tourmaline Ion Technology that minimize friction, making it effortless to detangle.  Ionic bristles help hydrate the cuticle while eliminating any frizz, making hair more lustrous and easier to manage.  I especially liked the vented head with dual length bristles; longer ones on one side for medium to longer length tresses, and shorter ones on the other side for shorter tresses or bangs; tips are smooth and also help to stimulate the scalp.  http://www.oliviagarden.com/

Pevonia* ~ When Pevonia introduced its Lumafirm Repair Cream Lift & Glow, I tried the product and was amazed at the immediate visible results in improved texture to my skin; the product hydrated well while adding luminosity; this product definitely delivered the results represented.  Expanding this line is the Lumafirm Eye Contour – Lift & Glow, which I recently tried.  Once again, I was amazed at how well it hydrated, improved texture, while adding luminosity and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; it was also very gentle and didn’t cause any irritation, even when applied above the orbital bone.  Some of the high performance ingredients include marine collagen, sorghum extract, watermelon and apple fruit extracts, Vitamin E and Kombucha.  http://www.pevonia.com/

RazorBed ~ RazorBed is just what we need for extending the life of our razors.  People are often inattentive to the proper care of their personal care implement.  After use, many of us don’t bother to thoroughly rinse the razor head off and dry the blades, which dulls the blade head; or, we carelessly toss the razor into a cluttered drawer where rusting, chipping and nicking often results.  Dull, chipped or rusted blades not only won’t remove hair effectively, but the blades could also transfer accumulated bacteria onto the skin and cause infection.  Improper care or storage shortens the life of the implement. The innovative RazorBed is a sleek tight fitting case with an inside absorbent bed and pillow rest for the blade head that wicks away any moisture, while protecting the blade head and extending the life of the razor from anywhere between six to twelve months, depending on frequency of use.  The RazorBed works well with disposable or cartridge razor blades.  http://www.razorbed.com/

Skin Authority* ~ Skin Authority, the pre-eminent healthy skincare company, worked closely with Dole Nutritional Institute in developing a 100% vegan, whole food powder for a revolutionary product, VitaD Fortified Illuminating DUO.  This is the first-ever patented delivery system of products that aid in the daily consumption of Vitamin D, a vital nutrient many are deficient in. Vitamin D isn’t found in many food sources, and because of lifestyle, seasonal and geographical aspects, most people aren’t getting sufficient quantities of the vitamin; the nutrient is needed in order to optimize overall health.  These are also the first patented products to be categorized as “Nutritopical”, which synergistically optimize internal and external nutrition.  VitaD Fortified Illuminating DUO includes VitaD Fortified Topical Elixir and VitaD Fortified Whole Food Spice Powder.  The Topical Elixir includes Vitamins D2, D3, A, E and K, oligopeptides (for firming and brightening) and mushroom and comes in a single dose pump.  The Elixir’s consistency is silky and glides on effortlessly and was quickly absorbed.  It was non-greasy, left no tacky residue and dried quickly; the Elixir is based on Skin Authority’s patented Dry Finish Technology.  After the first few times using the product, my skin felt tighter; the texture was more even, pore size diminished and skin appeared brighter. I used the Elixir before applying moisturizer.  The Spice Powder is a 100% Vitamin D vegan plant-based whole food, Portobello mushroom.  The Powder comes in an easy to use container; one side is a shaker and the other a single measure.  The Powder mixes quickly when added to liquids or solids.  A teaspoon per day is recommended and provides for 600 IUs of Vitamin D, the suggested RDA.  The taste was very pleasant and earthy, which is how mushrooms should taste.  I enjoyed the product in omelets, on salads, in soups and casseroles.  It’s a very versatile item and a wonderful condiment to have on hand.  http://www.skinauthority.com/

Sticky Be Socks ~ Unless you want to slip and slide during your fitness, pilates or yoga routines, you’ll want these comfy and safe Sticky Be Socks to wear; also great for at-home or anywhere there’s a slick floor surface.  The design completely covers the foot up to the ankle with a breathable and wicking bamboo cotton blend material; the bottom is covered with non-skid dots.  These are also socks with a purpose; several styles offered have individual affirmations written on the toe area and on the bottom of the foot area (also skid resistant), and come in different colors, depending on the affirmation.  I tried the Be Calm (Gray) design; other designs include Be Focused (Blue), Be Great (Turquoise), Be Happy (Pink), Be Positive (Green) and Be Strong (Black).  These socks make it safe to move on slick surfaces and are enjoyable to wear.  http://www.stickybesocks.com/

~ Continuing to Share and Inspire ~

Jane Iredale* ~ Jane Iredale defines mineral makeup, setting the standard for all who followed her innovative line.  She is Founder, President and CEO of jane iredale – THE SKIN CARE MAKEUP.  An industry icon, she is often called upon to be a keynote presenter at industry events.  Also respected for her business acumen and accomplishments, she was recently invited to speak before the prestigious group Berkshire Business and Professional Women (Berkshire BPW).  Since 1965, this group has been advancing workingwomen, from diverse fields, by offering professional and personal development through networking opportunities.  In her presentation, Ms. Iredale highlighted her personal challenges, which led to the creation of her own line of safe mineral makeup.  She also shared the challenges she had to overcome in creating a globally recognized brand embraced by the medical, esthetic, spa and consumer markets.  Her achievements clearly were inspirational to the women entrepreneurs present at the meeting.  A deep passion and commitment to her brand isn’t unique to success, but having those attributes exemplifies that achievement and success where her brand is concerned.  She continues to inspire!  https://janeiredale.com/

N.B. Companies designated with an asterisk (*) were exhibitors at the 2012 International SPA Association Conference (ISPA).  For more information on ISPA, the spa industry’s pre-eminent organization, go to http://experienceispa.com/

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also serves as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  You can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Photo credits from the specific brand.)

THE LABYRINTH AS TEACHER

~ LESSONS LEARNED WHILE JOURNEYING THE LABYRINTH ~

 

The first time I saw a labyrinth was in 1999 while touring the Cathedral of Chartres (France). Inside this massive cathedral was an eleven-circuit labyrinth and center.  It wasn’t until 2007 that I finally had an opportunity to walk a labyrinth at the Evensong Spa (WI).  It was also an indoor eleven-circuit labyrinth with center; it remains the only indoor one of its size in a U.S. spa.

Journeying the labyrinth, I observed a lot about life.  The large area where the labyrinth was located offered me the opportunity to contemplate my footing, my life and how the direction of both impacted each other.  Although the task seemed simple, the lessons learned from completing its journey were complex. 

·       I had no expectations and entered it with a clear mind. 

·       I was surprised at the overall effort expended experiencing the labyrinth with each deliberate step. 

·       Walking barefooted helped ground me and made me more conscious of my body’s rhythm.

·       I couldn’t rush the walking process.  The form of the labyrinth forced me to conform and move in one direction.  It took discipline, focus and determination.

·       The formation inherently forced me to carefully traverse, much the same like life.  Moving through it and experiencing it required thought, focus and purpose.

·       By design, the labyrinth forced me to look down, a humbling gesture, carefully and deliberately in order to watch how I was walking.  This was yet another symbol of how one should go through life: carefully, deliberately, focused and without rushing.

·       As I approached the inner circle, I felt a natural gravitational pull and a natural speeding up of my stepping.  I had to adjust the stride and momentum to retain a focused and balanced posture.

·       Walking away from the inner circle, I felt a more pensive, languid momentum in my stride.

·       The turns of the circuits made my balance a little wobbly at times and I found myself balancing by stepping momentarily into the parallel path.  Much the same as getting a little off track in life, regrouping and continuing in the journey.  Perhaps this was due to my trying to rush the journeying process.  Moving forward through anything requires a steady and deliberate determination and resolve.

·       As I entered the inner circle, the purpose of the journey, I paused and thought of leaving and not completing the journey by going in the reverse or opposite direction in order to complete the entire labyrinth more quickly.  My mind momentarily scattered, but I reflected and regained my focus and determination.

·       I finally completed both the inward and outward journey, which took almost a half-hour.  It took more focus, concentration and deliberation than I originally thought.  Another lesson: the journey is often different than anticipated.  I was quiet and calm after my experience. The journey enabled me to be introspective and deliberative.  

·       The next time I journey through one of these, I’ll know what to expect and be better prepared to renew the lessons learned from the labyrinth.

Lastly, I recommend journeying a labyrinth at least once in your lifetime.  It will be enlightening.

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

 

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also serves as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  You can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Photo credits include Chartes Cathedral by www.crystalinks.com, and Evensong Spa by www.evensongspa.com.)

HOLIDAY GIFTING GUIDE

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

HEALTHY EATING

Over the past year, I’ve written a number of articles on eating and cooking as it related to health and wellness.  These articles included objective reviews of organic and natural food products, cookbooks, restaurants and cooking prep tools, as well as interviews with chefs and wellness experts. 

While we need food to survive, the quality and choices of food has an impact on our nutritional health and well being.  I sometimes recall some of my earlier food choices, often cringing at what I used to put on my plate, including portion sizes.  Maturity offers the luxury of reflective assessment and learning from it; and while I’m by no means an expert on nutrition or dietary, I’m at least making a more concerted effort to stay informed, ask questions, read labels and cultivate the discipline to take passes on food choices that aren’t necessarily the healthiest.  So, this has been my experience and yours may be different.

A few important things I’ve learned along the way about healthy eating and food choices ~

·       Have a strategy and focus on it, but never beat yourself up if you meander from it.

·       Be steady and consistent.

·       Portion control is key.

·       Less is more.

·       Quality always trumps quantity.

·       Consume moderately and modestly.

·       Have a varied and diverse diet.

·       Avoid diets that are a fad or trend.

·       Never jeopardize your health for the sake of a food fad or trend.

·       When in doubt, ask your doctor, especially if you’re taking medications, have a compromised immune system.

·       Go for better food choices that are fresh, seasonal, natural, organic and unprocessed.

·       Eating involves engaging all of the senses; they’re the key indicators.  

·       Your health is a work in progress and a process. 

Following are some recent healthy food-related discoveries I wanted to share with you. 

~ Food to Enjoy ~

Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt ~

According to the Dannon website “…what makes Greek yogurt different from regular yogurt? We make our authentic Greek yogurt with a centuries-old straining method that removes the whey (liquid) from the yogurt. Called "yiaourti" in Greece, Greek yogurt is thick and creamy, and its production requires about three times the amount of milk used to make regular yogurt…” I’ve actually tried making my own Greek yogurt a few times; it’s a good substitute in a pinch, but can’t compare to authentically prepared Greek yogurt.  Greek yogurt is THE yogurt right now and depending on which brand selected, the tastes will vary, as will the price.  Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt has found a way to authentically prepare its varieties with all of the healthy bacteria in it, and also without the fat content, often found in other brands.  The consistency is extremely rich and creamy.  While the Fruit At The Bottom varieties are delicious, I especially enjoyed the versatility of the Plain variety.  Using the Plain variety as a substitution in recipes that traditionally call for mayonnaise, sour cream or cream cheese, was a no-brainer.  Any recipe I used the Oikos Greek Yogurt in tasted delicious, making them healthier versions.  Dannon has also teamed up with Chef Richard Blais, an esteemed restaurateur, chef, author, television personality and winner of Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars.  He has created a number of recipes of holiday favorites using the Dannon Oikos Fat-Free Greek Yogurt that are healthier versions of traditional food-fare. http://www.oikosyogurt.com/greek-yogurt/

Ikaati Tea ~

Ikaati is a celebration of time, taste and tradition.  Its foundational philosophy, “…that our well-being is enriched by health, pleasure and beauty….”, is the basis of their three collections, Nourish, Savor and Heritage.  These artisanal white, green and black teas are harvested from tea regions in Asia, including the Himalayas and Fujian China.  Nourish is an herbal tisane collection for promoting health; Savor combines subtle infusions of fruit and flowers; and, Heritage offers single note estate teas.  No matter which variety I tried, I found them to be refreshing, pure and clean; the flavors were never over-powering and retained a consistent depth of flavor throughout the entire cup.  These varieties can stand on their own, without adding any lemon or sweetener and were perfectly balanced each and every time brewed.  I also liked each artisan-crafted silken tea pouch that was hand tied.  As I grasped my cup of tea and inhaled the warmth of its sweet and soothing vapors, I was reminded of how much I needed to step back, breathe deeply and relax. http://www.ikaati.com/

One Degree Organic Foods ~

This company makes a variety of USDA Certified Organic, including high-fiber whole grain breads. I had the pleasure of trying their USDA Certified Organic Veganic Organic Breads in Lentil Grain, Ancient Whole Wheat, Flax and Spelt, and Sesame Sunflower.  What is also innovative about these products is that the company prints out on each wrapper an OCR (optical character recognition) code and a tracking number; the OCR is for smartphone scans and the tracking number for online queries.  This information can be then be used by the consumer to obtain further information on the specific bread that is unique to its manufacturer.  Consumers are directed to a web page that not only lists the ingredients and nutritional content of their bread, but it will also identified which of their farms the grain came from to make their bread.  I enjoyed all four varieties and found each one quite delicious, with a moist chewiness, versus a cardboard consistency like so many other “comparable” whole grain high-fiber breads.  Toasting brought out the individual sweetness of the whole grain ingredients and each variety made a hearty and tasty French toast.  http://www.onedegreeorganics.com/product_categories

~ For Healthy Food Prep & Beyond ~

Knork Flatware ~

Eating implements are one of those things that people don’t pay too much attention too and treat as a mundane, albeit necessary component to dining.  However, Knork Flatware has found a way to elevate the eating implement to an art form.  Knork is ergonomically designed with sleek durability and proper balance to its shaft, making it intuitively natural to the eating process.  The curved head of the fork is designed for ease of cutting, where the edge functions like a knife, yet without any sharp angles; the inner tines are slightly scooped, making for effortless spearing, but also lifting.  Conventionally designed eating implements make eating clumsy, which also adds to putting stress to the wrist area in maneuverability.  The sleek design works well with formal and informal dining.  I found the big plus in its ergonomic design and ease of balancing the shaft of the implement while holding it; whether it was fork, knife or spoon, the mundane eating implement became the exceptional.  http://www.knork.net/

Microplane Kitchen Tools ~

Precision crafted Microplaning and Grating implements make healthy food preparation economical, efficient and effortless.  Use the whole food item with virtually no waste by making sure to use the proper plane and grater head to suit the task.  The tasks of ribbon planing and zesting/grating require two different heads to achieve the results.  Using a Ribbon planer is suitable for planing chocolate, carrot and soft cheeses.  Using a Zester/Grater (Premium Classic) planer is suitable for ginger, citrus, garlic, coconut and hard cheeses.  The tasks of coarse, fine and shaped grating also require different grates to achieve these results.  Using an Extra Coarse Grater is suitable for grating onion, potato, soft cheese, zucchini, carrots and cabbage.  Using a Star Grater (Gourmet Series), with its star-shaped grate heads, will yield fine and fluffy grates of hard cheeses such as Parmesan.  These lightweight implements have protective poly sleeves and non-skid easy grip handles.  The overall ergonomic design offers balance and stability; the Graters also have a non-skid end stabilizer strip.  No foodie should be without these implements.  http://us.microplane.com/microplanekitchentools.aspx

~ Healthy Dining Options ~

Fresco 21 A Mediterranean Kitchen ~

Fresco 21 A Mediterranean Kitchen opened its doors a few months ago with a mission to offer the freshest food fare that embraced the healthy profile of the Mediterranean diet, the concept of farm to table and sea to table, local and sustainable.  Fresco 21 is located in the InterContinental O’Hare Hotel (Rosemont, IL), in close proximity to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.  What many love about Mediterranean cuisine is that it’s fresh, pure and healthy.  It uses the freshest of ingredients in their natural state whether its from land and sea, and doesn’t require any additives, preservatives or processing, thereby maintaining food at its most natural and healthy state.  The Mediterranean cuisine is also one of the healthiest known cuisines around.  Fresco 21 is an authentic and upscale Mediterranean restaurant, which continues the tradition of offering healthy cuisine, while catering to all dietary needs.  Fresco 21’s culinary wizard Chef de Cuisine Cameron Grant created a delicious menu that includes cold and hot tapas, wood-fire pizzas, whole grain artisanal breads, seasonal vegetables, fresh seafood, aged meats, free-range poultry, artisanal cheeses, and tantalizing sweets.  I recently had the pleasure of dining at this restaurant and enjoyed a sampling of menu items.  Each plate was distinctive and delicious and beautifully plated and visually attractive.  A few of the tastings included Seared Diver Scallop on Butternut Squash Puree, with Maple Syrup Gastrique, Brussels Sprout Leaves, Fried Artichoke and Black Pepper Accents, the Butternut Squash Ravioli with Wild Mushroom, Corn and Grape Tomatoes, Parmesan Cream; and, Lasagna Bolognese in a Red Wine, Veal Stock, Cream.  The flavors were fresh, vibrant, flavorful and delicious.  http://www.fresco21.com/

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also serves as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  You can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Opening photo credit by weightlossdietwatch.com; all other photo creditss as represented by the specific brand.)

N.B.  Google’s blog platform is incompatible with my Mac OS X and Firefox browser latest software versions, which is why some web links appear in different colors and why when attempting to have embedded images their sizing is consistent and/or can’t be sized.