HEALTH N FITNESS ZONE

Himalayan Rejuvenation Facial
Experience radiant skin with a soothing personalized facial. Using elements from the earth, sea and sky, this organic treatment balances the skin and your spirits with formulas containing marine and plant extracts with powerful antioxidants that infuse visible life into skin so it glows.
Basic facial One-Hour $85, Master level technique with Shiatsu Face Massage $125

Cleopatra’s Beauty Secret Facial
For centuries, flax has been used both internally and externally to heal, detoxify, and revitalize cells throughout the body. Cleopatra’s Beauty Secret face mask penetrates to the deepest layers of the skin delivering the vital nutrients and vitamins where they are needed most. This anti-aging and detoxifying facial treatment includes fresh plant and trace-element serums to normalize and protect the skin
Basic facial One-Hour $90, Master level technique with Shiatsu Face Massage $130

Pure Organic Jojoba Facial
100% Jojoba is extremely rich in vitamins and very nourishing when applied to the skin. Its hydrating properties alleviate dryness while balancing the skin's natural pH. This wrinkle fighter has moisturizing ability that is the closest to the body’s own. Jojoba is non-allergenic and very mild and soothing, especially to dry skin, and it naturally contains alpha, delta, and gamma tocopherols (all forms of the antioxidant vitamin E)
Basic facial One-Hour $90, Master level technique with Shiatsu Face Massage $130

Eyebrow Tweeze
We use a special technique to carefully tweeze without pulling the skin

When it comes to our body, beauty and health go hand in hand. Our hair is not beautiful till it is healthy and strong, our body is not beautiful till it is healthy and fit, and our skin is not beautiful till it is healthy and well groomed. Our skin is the largest organ which protects us from harmful effects of foreign substances and serves as the transfer point for releasing toxins and receiving essentials for our body. Hence, it is important to keep it clean and healthy.

Application of fresh, natural products like essential oils, plant waters and cold pressed unscented oils helps maintain a youthful, glowing complexion. Another treatment that works wonders for your skin is a facial. Facials are deep skin treatments that cleanse, re-hydrate and rejuvenate the skin, apart from minimising skin blemishes, acne, dry skin and wrinkles.

Facials vary depending on your skin type and age, the kind of treatment you have chosen and the products used. There are many types of facials available. So let’s talk about a few to help you take a well-informed decision the next time you step into a salon.

Basic clean-up

This is for teenagers and women in their early 20s to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise facial skin. Clean-ups reduce tanning, remove blackheads, and help add a glow to your complexion. The first step is steam. The skin is made moist by gently steaming the face. This prepares the face for removing blackheads and whiteheads and opens up the pores for better absorption of creams. After that, a scrub is gently massaged on to the face. The granular form of the scrub helps exfoliate and clean the skin further. Next, a creamy cleanser is applied and a soft rotating electric brush is used to massage the face.

Once the massage is complete the cleanser is removed using cotton pads and then a sunscreen or light cream is applied. The facial clean-up is complete. The entire process takes 45 minutes to an hour and is a good monthly skin rejuvenation regime. Clean-ups are suitable for all skin types. For a basic clean-up, you may have to pay somewhere in the range of Rs 500–Rs 650.

Regular facial

For a person with no skin-related issues and not requiring treatment for any skin malady, this is the facial to choose. The routine for a regular facial is the same as that for clean-ups except for a few things. Firstly, the facial massage goes on much longer than a clean-up. In a facial, the skin being treated is older and requires more rubbing and massage as compared to a youthful skin. Secondly, a face pack is a must. Any facial uses at least two face packs. The packs help revive the skin and make your skin fresh and clean. Therapist Melisa working with the Nalini and Yasmin chain in Mumbai says, “Woman should start having facials around the age of 30–35 years of age, depending upon their skin condition. Prior to that clean-ups are enough to keep the skin clean and healthy. After a certain age, the face requires massage and a good facial to rejuvenate and stay healthy.” A regular facial goes on for at least an hour and a half. There are many types of regular facials to choose from, all depending on the products and brands used. These options vary from salon to salon. A regular facial costs around Rs 850–Rs1000.

Acne facial

This facial is designed for people suffering from skin problems like acne and blemishes. After a regular facial, an enzyme or glycolic acid is used to exfoliate the skin. Next, a warm vapour mist treatment is given to the face that helps in deep pore extraction [done by hand] and disencrustation [done by a special electric device]. Finally to relax the skin, a skin-calming anti-bacterial mask is used. The facial takes little over two hours and has to be done on a fortnightly basis as a part of the treatment package. The cost for the treatment varies between Rs 850–Rs 1000 per sitting.

Bio-lift facial

This facial includes a regular facial and a special treatment for dark circles, skin tightening and skin toning. A special bio-mask is used that is good for women above the age of 40. The minimum cost of this facial is Rs 4000.

Paraffin facial

Apart from a regular facial to ensure better absorption of special anti-aging and rejuvenating creams, a paraffin mask is applied on top of layers of gauze. This mask provides a special radiance to the skin and is a favourite in bridal packages. This facial is priced at Rs1800–Rs 2000.

Collagen facial

This facial helps battle wrinkles, dark circles and environment damages to the skin. This facial goes through many steps of exfoliation using lymphatic drainage massage, deep pore cleansing, steam and freeze dry collagen sheet under a paraffin mask followed by galvanic or laser treatment. To provide a hydrating effect, vial or ampoules are used. This detailed treatment lasts over two and a half hours and costs at least Rs 2500.

Galvanic facial

To remove congestion and treat dry and dehydrated skin, a water soluble material is introduced into the skin using a galvanic gadget [a direct galvanic current is used to introduce water-soluble substance into the body through skin. The capacity to absorb by the skin increases improving the penetration of various products used through the skin.] This helps skin’s ability to absorb and ensure moisture retention. The cost of the facial would vary between Rs 850–Rs 1400 depending upon the skin condition.

AHA facial

Alpha Hydroxy Acid [AHA] facial is suited for people with pigmented skin and helps tighten pores, improve skin texture and capillary action. The creams and masks contain AHA which is derived from fruits and flowers. Fresh fruits are also used for masks and are recommended for sensitive skins. Orange is a suitable option for oily skin whereas banana is good for dry skin. This facial would cost you approximately Rs 1500.

Gold facial

Masks and creams containing 24-carat pure gold are used to improve skin radiance, elasticity, resilience, smoothness and softness. Gold has great rejuvenating qualities that help remove toxins and lymphatic drainage from the skin. The gold facial is another favourite with brides and costs at least Rs 3000.

Anti-oxidant facial

For people with too much exposure to the outdoor [sun, dust and wind], creams rich in vitamin E, vitamin A and beta-carotene are used to remove pollutants and cleanse the skin. This facial is usually priced at around Rs 1000.

Aromatherapy facial

This facial uses essential oils that possess unique therapeutic qualities that help in relaxing mind and body. The facial massage is done using essential oils and the masks applied also contain essential oils. This helps in improving skin functions, cell regeneration, removing toxins and congestions. An aromatherapy facial is priced at Rs 1000.

Facials are an excellent option to remove dead cells and pollutants from our epidermis [skin’s surface]. The massage helps you relax, improves blood circulation, detoxify the body and delay wrinkles. The face masks used at the end improves skin tone and gives it a glowing pampered look. Facials not just help you look beautiful, but to help you keep your skin healthy. Celine Cortinchi, Spa Manager, Jean-Claude Biguine, Mumbai suggests that you go a little further and pamper and rejuvenate your whole body with body wraps and relaxing massages.

The fact that you take out time for yourself, switch off your mobile, shut your mind from the daily chaos and indulge in couple of hours of blissful pampering is in itself reason enough for you to pick up that phone and schedule an appointment with your salon.

That one item that has long been a constant at our breakfast tables, has earned quite a bad rap in recent years.

Keep being told that white bread is bad for you, for your health; why exactly is this so? What is it about white bread that is so bad for you? There are several reasons:

Refined flour

The refining of wheat flour strips it of many of the nutrients and health giving properties that wheat has.

The wheat germ and bran, which are the most nutritious part of the wheat grain, which includes vitamins and minerals are removed when making refined flour. What remains are starch and some protein.

The protein is not good quality protein. The starch is converted into sugar and is stored in the body as fat. Refined flour provides what are sometimes known as empty calories, or calories without the goodness or nutritional value of wholesome food.

Low Fiber

Fiber is essential for the healthy functioning of the human body and for the efficient working of the digestive system. In milling of refined flour, the fiber of the wheat grain is removed and what is left is not healthy.

Lack of sufficient fiber in the body also makes it difficult for the colon to evacuate the bowels of waste matter effectively, which can lead to Irritable Bowel Syndrome and even cancer of the colon.[colon cancer]

Digestive rates and the efficiency with which the food is digested slow down. There are also greater amounts of fat deposits and this increases how negatively eating white bread can impact health.

Bleaching

Ever wonder why that loaf of white bread is so white when the grain that it supposedly comes from is brown? Well the fact is that the flour that is used to make the bread is routinely bleached using chemicals, which results in the white color.

There are several harmful bleaching agents used for this and among them is chloride oxide, which, when combined with whatever proteins are still left in the flour, produces alloxan. This is a poison and has been used to produce diabetes in laboratory animals. Chlorine oxide destroys the vital wheat germ oil which is another nutritive element destroyed.

For someone who is used to eating white bread all their lives, the switch to whole grain bread (as against brown bread, which may simply have some caramel added for the color) may be a bit difficult however one can soon get used to it, and can also start to appreciate a healthier and tastier meal option.

You have probably heard the old saw; breakfast like a king, lunch like a commoner and dine like a pauper. This one still holds true in that you must have a healthy breakfast every day, it is the one meal you should not be skipping.

It should be a healthy but hearty combination of carbs and protein that will give you sustained energy all through the day.

Breakfast helps you build muscle

Since the stomach is empty in the morning this is the right time for it to fill it full of nutrients which the body will be more receptive to in the morning.

A high protein breakfast is helpful in one’s aim to gain lean muscle.

You won’t overeat during the day

If you have had a nutritious breakfast in the morning, you will feel full and satisfied for a longer time as a day progresses and you won’t be ravenous when the next meal time comes along, making it less likely that you will over eat.

You have more energy throughout the day

A healthy well balanced breakfast will make sure that your body has the fuel and the energy to face the day ahead and not flag or feel tired....LINK

By now is it is a well known fitness fact that six smaller, more frequent meals are better than three big meals during the day.

Earlier the accent was on eating during meals and not snacking in between; now however, nutritionists and fitness experts have come down heavily in favor of the six small meals (or three meals and three healthy snacks depending upon how you look at it) as being good for health and forweight loss is that is one’s aim.

The converse view is that all that matters is how many calories you are eating at the end of the day; not in how many meals or snacks. However there are several arguments in favor of the 6 meal theory.

What this eating pattern does is it speeds up your metabolism helping you burn more calories than you would otherwise have done. The body is given the impression of plenty, giving it the signal that there is no need to store and horde calories in the form of fat rather that there are enough calories available for all the body’s needs. This is what keeps the metabolic rate up.

Also if you are dividing your daily intake of calories into 6 or more meals a day that means that you are taking in smaller portions at every meal. Cutting down on meal portions has repeatedly shown itself to be an effective weight loss gambit.

For many it is important to have that sit down meal rather than six or eight snacks. For these people they may continue to have three substantial meals of breakfast, lunch and dinner but also intersperse those with a mid morning snack, a snack late in the afternoon and perhaps a post dinner snack as well.

What this does is it helps a person not to get too hungry between meals. In particular the gap between lunch and dinner can get very long if a person has a big commute. Further when you do sit down to your meal, it will consequently be a smaller one; portions are likely to be smaller since you are not going to be starving.

Things to make sure when you have to take six meals are:

• Make sure the meal portions are small not more than 500 calories
• Make sure your snacks are healthy and low calorie not more than 100 calories

If you can do this, then 6 meals may well work really well for you!

Exercising has never been more popular than now. The trend that dictates healthy life is promoting exercising as one of the options for having it.

Expensive marketing campaigns are launched every day showing us how the perfect body should look like and giving us solutions to get to it.

Products and routines that promise effective fat burning and results in no time appear to be growing in numbers day by day.

Some claim one thing others claim another, it is hard to keep up and it is hard to know the truth. That is why a lot of studies and researches have been made. The truth must be known.

The recent studies show that while exercising besides burning calories and fat we also lose some of the essential and beneficial elements of our body.

It goes without saying that if the level of these elements drops the exercise is less effective than the case where this level stays put. It is just that simple.

What to do in order to make the exercise as effective as possible?

Well, having effective exercises is very important because such a routine generates results. The more effective the exercise is the better and faster the result will be. So basically, this means that effective exercises save you time. And this is something you would definitely want to achieve.

Introducing food that will increase the antioxidant levels in your body could be very helpful. Eating oranges, cherries, all sorts of berries, all sorts of beans, chili peppers, red cabbage, parsley, spinach, lemon, ginger or drinking green tea, will certainly boost these levels. And these fruits and vegetables are just a small part of the list containing food rich in antioxidants.

For example if an orange, or any other type of food from the list, is eaten after the fitness routine it will help the body rebuild the reserve and prevent the loss of hydration, thus making your exercising more effective.

Also the antioxidants give the body a lot of energy for an effective fitness routine, so taking them some time before exercising would also do you a lot of good.

As a conclusion, adjusting your diet so you will take sufficient antioxidants and continuing exercising giving your maximum effort will surely get you to your desired goal.

All you have to do is be patient and stick with it until you achieve the purpose. Patience and perseverance always guide you to a great result.

Having a newborn in the house is the greatest joy. A baby always brings out a smile on everybody’s face.

But having to take care of one is not as easy as it seems, especially for the mom.

It is true a baby will change the biorhythm of his parents. She wakes up crying in the middle of the night because she needs to be fed. The same thing happens during the day.

A baby always requires attention, not to mention the worries about the baby’s health and growth that constantly overwhelm the mind of the parents. Well a solution that will ease some of these is probably fitness.

The body of a baby is still in development and therefore her muscles and joints are very flexible. This allows a broad pallet of movements that could be turned into a good fitness exercises.

And getting the baby a bit tired, the right and healthy way of course, will be excellent for a good sleep.

First of all any type of fitness exercising will contribute to strengthening the very special bond between the mother and her child. And since the baby is in her crucial stage of body development a little bit of fitness will only do the baby good.

It will be very helpful when it comes to the healthy development of the muscle and bone structure of the young one. This will surely put an ease on the worries about the baby’s growth.

There are number of things that a mom can do with her baby. Almost every movement can be converted into a healthy fitness exercise.

Moving the baby’s legs, bicycle style for example will help her heart work and increase blood circulation especially in the legs. Increased blood circulation means a slight increase in body temperature, so the baby will also feel warmer for a while after the exercise.

Another example can be the movement of the arms. This will help the baby relax her breathing, which will guarantee that the baby will have a constant intake of healthy portions of oxygen. Besides being good for the baby’s brain this will be also good for the baby’s sleep. And it is known for a fact that a good sleep in this stage encourages growth.

Another thing that will benefit the baby’s sleep is a fitness massage after a bath. This will be very enjoyable for both the mom and the baby and it will help the baby fall asleep.

Baby fitness is great for every baby and every mom. It is easy to do and it means a lot of fun

Let’s say that you’re a working mom with two kids to send to school, and a husband who also needs to prepare to go to work in the morning.

So the first thing that you need to do in the morning is to prepare breakfast, wake the kids up, help them prepare for school and make sure that they have their share of the most important meal of the day, prepare their lunch, take a shower yourself, do a bit of cleaning up before you prepare for work, and probably drive the kids to school if your husband is not the one who does it.

As you can see, someone who is not a multi-tasker may not be able to juggle all these activities in one morning. So, how much more time does that leave you for yourself as a mom who is always on the go?

How a Busy Mom Can Squeeze in Some Time for Her Fitness Routine

In between your work, the household chores, taking care of the kids, attending to your personal life and social life – where does that leave you with time for a fitness routine?

If you don’t watch it, you can easily add unwanted inches to your waistline. This is if you even managed to lose the post-baby fat in the first place.

If you have a very busy schedule, it is quite easy for you to fall into the trap of skipping breakfast or lunch – and then making up for it later on. Remember that as a busy mom, it is much easier and more beneficial for you to eat smaller servings of food, more frequently throughout the day.

This is as compared to skipping an entire meal and allowing yourself to go hungry. The result is it becomes your habit and it is easier to give into the temptation to overeat and add the pounds later on.

Aside from taking smaller meals more frequently throughout the day, you should also be creative in making the time to workout [workouts for busy moms]. You can do it while playing with the kids in the park, squeezing in at least 10 minutes of real workout time while the kids are busy or even during your lunch hour in the office.

Finally, plan your meals in advance so that you can be a fit and lean mom, despite not having the time to spend hours in the gym for a real workout session.

10 Healthy Snacks for Super Busy Moms

To help you out in planning your meals, here is a collection of the top 10 healthy snacks that every busy super mom should not be without.

Remember that these snacks are easy and quick to eat, have minimal preparation time and are always handy. This way, you can place them on a diaper bag, in your car, in your office desk and almost anywhere accessible. Take a look at the following list:

1. Chocolate Bars

What a way to start a healthy snacks list, right? Actually the chocolate bars that busy moms should consume are the 100-calorie variants.

If you just absolutely cannot deny yourself the pleasure of having a bar of chocolate every now and then, you might as well give in.

Just make sure to do it in smaller servings, by stocking up on 100-calorie bar chocolates.

2. Cereals

Choose cereals which are rich in fiber, have essential vitamins and nutrients – and they should also be low in sugar.

Since you won’t have them for breakfast, you can skip the milk and just pack the cereal flakes into individual ziplock bags.

When hunger strikes, just dip into the bag of these munchies and you’ll have the added benefit of feeling full for a longer amount of time.

3. Cheese

The cheese that’s being referred to here is the pre-packaged string cheese variety.

They are perfectly handy and the taste will make you feel as if you are having a wine-and-cheese night – minus the wine.

String cheese is a lightweight in the calorie department; they contain about 50 to 70 calories. Eat them as it is or pair them with whole-grain crackers and you have a great tasting, healthy and almostinstant snack!

4. Dried Fruits

The good thing about stocking up on dried fruits as a healthy snack is that they will not spoil, unlike fresh fruits which can easily get those ugly marks and bruises.

Go for dried fruits which still have the fiber and vitamins of the original fruit intact.

5. Fruits

If an apple a day keep the doctor away, there’s no better and healthier snack to have than fruits. Toss an apple, a pear or an orange in your bag and munch on these healthy and natural snacks when you feel the need to munch on something sweet, juicy and crunchy.

6. Instant Oatmeal

All you need is some hot water and you have a bowl of snack which is rich in fiber [high fiber foods].

7. Snack Bars

Granola bars and whole grain snack bars are a perfectly healthy and instant snack option. Stock up on snack bars which are low in calories and sugar, but high in fiber.

8. Soy Crisps

Skip the greasy potato chips and switch to soy crisps. Not only will you get to consume more chips in a bigger serving without the guilt – but it is also much healthier snack altogether.

9. Sandwiches Made with Whole Wheat Bread

If you’re looking for something more than a snack bar, prepare a sandwich or two for yourself with a thin layer of your favorite spread – and make sure to use whole wheat bread for that extra dose of fiber.

10. Yogurt

Whenever you feel the need to lick a calorie-laden cone of ice cream, go light and pack on the yogurt instead.

Choose brands which are low in calorie and have zero fat.

Consuming yogurt smoothies, yogurt-based drinks and similar products will make you feel as if you’ve given into your ice cream craving – without packing on the pounds.

One final advice that moms-on-the-go can use is this: “try to look for handy snacks which are about 150 calories worth, and consume them every two to four hours.” This way, you can keep hunger at bay, your energy will be up and there is no need for you to add inches to your waist at all.

There is a lot we can do to keep our brains healthy and potentially prevent or lessen the cognitive decline that often comes with aging," Daniel Perry, executive director of the nonprofit Alliance for Aging Research, said in a prepared statement. "We are encouraging people to take steps to improve brain health as part of their overall fitness regimen for the New Year."

The Alliance for Aging Research recommends these 10 steps for improving your brain health.

* Eat a Brain-Healthy Diet. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (commonly found in fish), protein, antioxidants, fruits and vegetables and vitamin B; low in trans fats; and with an

appropriate level of carbohydrates will help keep your brain healthy.

* Stay Mentally Active. Activities such as learning a new skill or language, working on crossword puzzles, taking classes, and learning how to dance can help challenge and maintain your mental functioning.

* Exercise Regularly. Exercising often can increase circulation, improve coordination, and help prevent conditions that increase the risk of dementia such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

* Stay Social. Spending time with friends, volunteering, and traveling can keep your mind active and healthy.

* Get Plenty of Sleep. Not getting enough sleep can have a negative impact on brain health.

* Manage Stress. Participating in yoga, spending time with friends, or doing other stress-relieving activities can help preserve your ability to remember and learn.

* Prevent Brain Injury. Wearing protective head gear and seat belts can help you avoid head injury, which has been associated with an increased risk of dementia.

* Control Other Health Conditions. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet, and controlling stress can help reduce your risk of diseases that affect your brain, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and hypertension.

* Avoid Unhealthy Habits. Smoking, heavy drinking and use of recreational drugs can increase the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.

* Consider Your Genes. If your family history puts you at risk for developing dementia, work with your doctor to find ways to maintain your brain health to help avoid or slow the progression of cognitive decline.

Flaxseeds are a rich source omega-3 fatty acids, which make them a natural mood lifter. They are one of the 7 super foods for a good night's rest.

A handful of my favorite food can help one relax and unwind because they contain the snooze helping nutrients tryptophan and magnesium.

Oats are a rich source of sleep inducing melatonin