Sauna, Steam Baths, Etc... The Benefits

Do you love going to the sauna or steam baths? I for one am fond of them. After a good workout at the gym, I try to hit the sauna as much as I can... It is just the perfect thing to do to loosen up those tense muscles and to end the day. I also visit the steam baths whenever we go swimming at the indoor pool in Ludwigsburg Stadion Bad.

Photo Source: organicfacts.net 

These hot baths offer a lot of health benefits. Here are some of the popular hot baths, how hot they can be and the health benefits it brings.

SAUNA. Gives your skin a rosy glow.

Imagine desert climate. In the dry air temperatures rule between 60 and 95 degrees Celcius. During the first of maximum three entries (8 minutes) into the sauna, lay on the lower or middle bench (favorable for an even temperature distribution). Sit up two minutes before the end of each entry to help regulate blood circulation. Then go out to cool down. Allow 20 minutes in between entries to relax and cool down.

What it brings: Blood circulation increases, and skin metabolism works twice as fast as otherwise. The result: the skin on your entire body becomes firm and rosy.

STEAM BATH. Refreshes tired muscles

Moderate temperature of 45 degrees. But the very high air humidity/moisture of almost 100% heats it up. Highly recommended for those experiencing dry mucous membranes. After 10 to 15 minutes of sitting on the marble bench in a steam bath is the skin moist-warm and firm. Then go out and take a shower and into a cold pool. Bundle up warm to allow sweating, then go inside again.

What it brings:  The moist warmth deeply penetrating into the tissue ensures better blood circulation in the musculature, joints and organs. Ideal for all who suffer lumbago and rheumatism. Because the steam penetrates deeply into the bronchial tubes and lungs, the steam bath also helps prevent colds and flu.

SANARIUM. A joy for beginners

This is a circulation sparing sauna alternative with a temperature of up to 60 degrees and a humidity of 45%, pleasant and bearable even for people with hypertension. Duration: about 20 minutes. 

What it brings: High comfort and well-being, ideal for sauna beginners.

LACONIUM. Drives off stress

Relax like the Romans of ancient times, with the pleasant warmth of 55 degrees emanating from the walls, floors, seats and resting surfaces slowly enters the body. After 15 minutes, the body begins to sweat.

What it brings: Stress reduction. Through detoxification, the skin feels soft and nourished.

Typical items found in a hamam: a tin of soap, kese (exfoliating mitt),
copper hamam bowls, pestemal (large towel fringed at both ends)
Photo source: normadicsonblog.wordpress.com

HAMAM. Conjures baby skin via kneading massage

The highlight of a Turkish steam bath: one lies on a large, warm marble block and the Tellak (an oriental bath attendant) lathers and kneads the tired body and at the end, souse him with warm water. 

What it brings: Through the lathering and scrubbing with brush and towels results an intensive peeling effect, removing all impurities from the skin. Tensed muscles loosen up. 

RASUL BATH. Fights cellulite

In a room of 40 degrees and low humidity, each body area is applied with various healing clay, which is rubbed gently onto the skin in a circular manner. Herbal steam opens the pores. Duration: around 20 minutes. Afterwards, the residue is washed and dried off with a hand towel for that peeling effect. 

What it brings: The connective tissues are tightened, the skin purified and detoxified. 

Source: Freundin magazine, Issue 26/2012

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An Apple A Day...

There's this old English adage that says, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

I was browsing throught the third quarter issue of "Das Magazin", our power provider's customer publication and saw this on the back cover:

Photo von EnBW Das Magazin, 03/13 Issue

This is indeed TRUE and even scientists know this. The soluble fiber in apples helps reduce intestinal disorders. The pectin helps reduce cholesterol levels. It's packed with Vitamin C, A and flavonoids and is a source of potassium that helps promote heart health. It can help reduce skin diseases and helps in weight management. Not only this! An apple contains 80 kcal of energy, enough energy for you to do a 20-minute exercise in the morning to jump start your day. It helps to keep you fit!

So the next time you find yourself wanting to splurge on chips, grab an apple instead. It's more healthy and it does help "keep the doctor away".... :)

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What To Consider When Buying Garden Furniture

On most days, we dream about summer evenings with family and friends, chilling or having a grill party in the garden, terrace or balcony. There is just something in the open air that is relaxing and very conducive for open talk. Wouldn't it be nice to have an outdoor extension of your living room? 

Whether you have a terrace, a balcony or a garden at home, you can always create your outdoor living room. But if you  are not sure how to begin and where to begin, here are a few things to consider so you can enjoy your living room extension the whole year through:

1. How big is your outdoor space? Is it as big as a sprawling garden or small like a snug balcony? It is essential to choose garden furniture that will complement the size of your ourdoor space. You also need to consider the number of people who will be using it and for which purpose. Would you like it to be multi-functional, to be used both by kids and adults alike? An extendable rectangular table will be perfect for parties where you expect a large number of guests. Storage benches are perfect for storing cushions, blankets and kids toys.

Metal garden furniture with a parasol is perfect for your garden. 

2. What type of material would you like your outdoor furniture to be? Whether wood, metal or woven, each type of material is unique in itself and will require some level of maintenance. 

Wood is probably the most loved material when it comes to furniture because it lends warmth and it ages beautifully. One must however treat wooden furniture with care to prevent it from drying out and rotting. Re-glazing and sanding your wooden furniture may be required every now and then.

Metal is robust and can stand any weather condition. It is durable, rust-free and requires low maintenance. So if you want furniture that can stand the bitter cold of winter and the scorching heat of summer, then metal furniture would be a good choice. And because it can be bent and shaped, there are many possible designs to choose from: from contemporary to Victorian, from elegant to sleek lines. 

Woven material is perfect for gardens because it blends almost perfectly with shrubbery and plants. Depending on the material, the type of maintenance needed also varies. Woven furniture from resin material usually require lesser maintenance as they are easier to clean while woven furniture from rattan or natural fibres may require some treatment every now and again. Regardless of the material, they are perfect for outdoor use and can stand any weather condition.

3.  Breath life into your outdoor space. Customize it by adding a few personal touches. Lighting will always add to the ambience that you want to create. Parasols will help to protect you from the sun's harmful rays. A gazebo is perfect for BBQ parties and can offer protection from those summer showers or provide privacy for an utter relaxation. Adding some cushions into your garden furniture will bring the comfort of the indoors out. You can also add some decking to section off an area for lounging or to just up the look of your balcony. 

So there you have it! And who says you can't have an outdoor party in these wet and gloomy autumn days? With the right garden furniture and additional personal touches, you still can enjoy your outdoor space the whole year round. 

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Getting Your Kids to Eat Healthy

As a Mom, it is always important for me that my little girl gets to eat nutritious food, and by that I mean fruits and vegetables. I count myself lucky because she is not so much into candies and chocolates. 

A temptation corner in the house...
I am lucky the little girl would ask first if she wants one.

Although I display a bowl of sweets on top of one of our chest drawers in the living room, she would always ask first if she can take a chocolate or candy from the bowl on those occasions when she feels like eating them.

A combination of fruit slices is good so they get a mixture of vitamins and minerals.

More often than not, she would ask for a bread sandwich or fruit slices for snacks.

On most meals, I usually include vegetables in the menu and I am happy to see her wolfing them down. And she would sometimes eat with her hands and would ask for another serving of rice.

A burst of colors for your warm meals. Plus they very easy to prepare too!

I guess a good way to keep your child interested in eating healthy and nutritious food is by making it look interesting for them. You can cook up colorful veggies together so it looks delicious: a combination carrots, peas, corn and paprika will be perfect to whet your child's appetite. You could also cut up interesting figures or form / arrange the food into interesting characters. A good example is how Japanese moms prepare the Obento of their children.

Fruits in skewers is also a good idea to get them to eat different kinds of fruits.

For fruits, you can always prepare a mix of it instead of just one so it looks colorful. Another interesting trick is to put the fruit slices one after another on sticks. You can also prepare a chocolate dip on the side to make it more attractive for your little ones. Your kids will love them!  

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