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June 24, 2011
Visiting Balance Spa in New Orleans is a huge step in the healthy lifestyle we are all seeking. After all, our focus at Balance Spa in New Orleans is on revitalizing the body and soul; offering an extensive menu of spa services to accopmplish both.
Most have heard by now that we should all eat every 3 hours. It makes our digestive system happy, our energy level even, and our body, mind and soul engaged throughout the day. However, at Balance Spa in New Orleans we also see the fast paced lifestyle that today's world seems to demand. Here are some excellent snack suggestions from ZenHabits.com to keep your diet intact and nourish the whole you:
Healthy Snacks: 10 Ideas for More Wholesome Eating
Reading Get Started: From Overweight to Healthy recently on Zen Habits, I couldn’t agree more with Leo’s advice.
Eat move veggies, drink more water, move more and get rid of the junk. All great ideas.
It also got me thinking. For me at least, the most difficult part of healthy eating is when it comes to snacks.
It would be nice to think we’re all going to start reaching for a raw carrot or celery stick when hunger strikes between meals. But it can be difficult to go from junk to super healthy in one step.
So here are a few ideas to help you snack more healthfully.
As with all things, remember that even healthy snacks aren’t going to be good for you in large quantities, so moderation is key.
10 Healthy Snack Ideas
1. nori sheets
Head to your local Japanese or Asian grocery store and grab some nori. Yes, the seaweed stuff used in sushi rolls is delicious fresh from the pack. Although it is quite drying so you will need some water with it.
2. nuts
My go-to snack, especially when I’m traveling. Almonds, brazil nuts, macadamias, pistachios: there’s so much variety to explore. Nuts are portable, delicious and packed with minerals. Look for dry roasted, preferably unsalted. And remember nuts like almonds with their skins on have more fiber than those without.
3. kale chips
There are a heap of different commercial kale chips on the market these days. While delicious, they tend to be expensive, so you could have a go at making your own. Just toss some kale (or other leafy greens) in a little oil, layer on a baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes until crisp.
4. salsa
Based mostly on tomato and chilli, a good salsa can be a great way to boost your veggie intake.
5. nut butters
Look for unsweetened nut butters such as almond or cashew butter at your local health food store, or try making your own. Pop a handful of nuts in your food processor and whizz until it forms a nut butter, adding a little oil to help if it looks too dry.
6. antipasto
The Italians know a thing or two about healthy snacking. Olives, marinated veg like eggplant, artichokes or peppers all make wonderful quick snacks. You can even throw in a little proscuitto (but don’t tell Leo).
7. mezze
Similar to antipasto, these Lebanese small plates are a great thing to have in the fridge. Hummus is probably the most famous but there’s also babaganoush, tatziki and beetroot drips to make your carrot and celery sticks more appealing.
8. boiled eggs
While not for the vegans, eggs are a wonderful source of protein. Boil up a whole batch at once then keep them in the fridge to peel and eat with a little salt and pepper as needed.
9. roast chickpeas
I just adore chickpeas (garbanzo beans) in all their forms. And have recently started roasting them and tossing with a little spice to serve as a snack. So. Good. [recipe below]
10. dark chocolate
When only something sweet will do, dark chocolate is your best bet. At least you’ll also be getting some antioxidants. Look for good quality brands that tell you the % cocoa solids. The higher the cocoa, the less sugar.
roasted chickpeas
makes about 1 1/4 cups
By all means cook the chickpeas from scratch if you prefer, but I find canned chickpeas work really well, without the effort.
Feel free to play around with the spicing. If you can’t find smoked paprika, a little cayenne pepper or chilli powder would be lovely. Or keep it simple with just some sea salt and black pepper.
If you have any leftovers, allow them to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Will keep for a week or so but I like them best while they’re still warm.
1 can chickpeas (14oz / 400g), well drained
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
1. Preheat your oven to 400F (200C).
2. Place chickpeas in a roasting pan or oven proof dish, drizzle with olive oil and bake for 10 minutes.
3. Stir the chickpeas and sprinkle over the paprika. Bake for another few minutes until the chickpeas are golden and crisp on the outside.
4. Season generously with pepper and sea salt and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tags: digestive system, nori sheets, Balance Spa, Visiting Balance Spa, local health food store
May 29, 2011
Balance New Orleans Spa – In our continuing quest to achieve the most strong, healthy and attractive body possible, Americans have learned to use a variety of tools. We are all well aware of diet and exercise. Most will admit to having a beauty regime that includes a home regimen as well as using professional beauty services and even the amazing selection of spa services available at Balance New Orleans Spa. However, it is important that we don’t overlook the most fundamental factor in our appearance and health; our diet. Take a moment to explore the following beneficial nutrients which can have a great effect on our appearance, as well as our well being:
Getting Pretty from the Inside Out
You know the old adage “you are what you eat”? It applies to your hair and skin, too. It makes sense when you think about it, that your body looks its best when all its parts are well nourished with a healthy diet. Of course going for variety is always a good idea, since it ups your chances of hitting all your vitamins and minerals, but making sure you’re getting certain nutrients will definitely enhance any beauty regime. So, here are the basics that will have you glowing from head to toe.
For Your Skin:
Omega 3s
Omega-3 fatty acids (the wonder class of nutrients, found in soybeans, nut oils and fish like salmon, that’s been in the news for its heart benefits) are key to maintaining a soft and youthful skin texture, thanks to their ability to strengthen the cell walls-meaning they help your cells retain more moisture. And when you throw in their anti-inflammatory benefits, they’re a must-have for any beauty diet.
Lycopene
Lycopene, a caretonoid (or fat-soluble pigment) found in cooked tomatoes (think marina sauce and stewed tomatoes) is one of the best things you can eat to ensure pretty skin. This anti-oxidant ups your skin’s natural sunscreen, protecting it from the sun from the inside and heading off signs of aging. In fact, in a 2001 study, volunteers who ate tomato paste for 10 weeks were less likely to show sunburned skin cells when exposed to ultraviolet light than the control group. That means that down the road, you’ll have fewer sun spots and fine lines.
Vitamin C
You know this vitamin ups your immune system, but here’s another reason to start your day off with some OJ (or bell peppers, grapefruit, strawberries, raspberries, or aparagus, all of which are high in the vitamin): It makes for some pretty skin, too. In fact, a 2007 study showed that women who eat a diet rich in C have fewer wrinkles and higher moisture levels than those with a similar lifestyle who do not.
For Your Nails and Hair:
Vitamin B
This energy vitamin, found in everything from carrots to romaine lettuce to cucumbers is widely regarded as the best nutrient for your hair and skin. And with good reason-several vitamins in the B family have been linked to strong, beautiful locks and nails. For instance, several studies have found that the B vitamin biotin boosts your body’s production of keratin, the protein that makes up your skin and hair. And in a 2001 study, women who had alopecia (a condition that causes hair loss) actually saw an improvement in the quality of their hair after taking vitamin B6 for several weeks, making for stronger, shinier locks. And now researchers also believe it has the same reinforcing benefits for your nails.
Sulfur
This element found in meats, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and legumes onions, garlic, cabbage is essential to maintaining beautiful nails that hold up to cracking, chipping and peeling. Take as proof a small study that found that after six weeks of taking a dietary supplement form of sulfur called Methylsulfonylmethane (or MSM), 50% of volunteers had a remarkable increase in nail length and thickness growth. In fact, the mean nail length increase was 2.5 times more in the MSM group than in the control group.
Balance New Orleans Spa – Once you’ve taken the time to include these powerful nutrients into your diet, you’ll have taken a great step in improving your overall health. To complement your new-found beauty diet, make sure to call Balance New Orleans Spa today at: (504) 595-5333, or take a look at our website: Balance New Orleans Spa.
Tags: New Orleans, healthy diet, beauty regime, professional beauty
May 24, 2011
Balance Spa New Orleans - For centuries society has sought to improve their life and health through relaxation. From the history of meditation which precedes historical record, to the imperial bath complexes of ancient Rome, man has instinctively searched for ways to reduce stress. And now, science is backing up this instinctual undertaking. Read about the latest science of relaxation below:
Predicting the Future: New Blood Test for Longevity?
By Susan Brady, Last updated on May 17, 2011
 If you could find out your approximate age of death, would you want to do so? I’m not talking tarot cards, psychic readings, or messages from above; I’m talking a blood test that claims to predict your biological age and how much longer you will last.
Soon to be available in the U.K , the test measures the length of telomeres, a DNA structure which controls the longevity of dividing cells. The shorter the telomere, the faster you are aging. A very specific blood test can determine telomere length and, based on the length can use an algorithm to assess longevity based on current lifestyle.
Life Length, a research company based in Spain, developed the test and is working on approvals throughout Europe and America. While the test will not tell you the exact date or year of your demise, it can make predictions within a decade.
“Knowing whether our telomeres are a normal length or not for a given chronological age will give us an indication of our health status and of our physiological ‘age’ even before diseases appear,” said Maria Blasco, the head of the telomeres research at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, in Madrid.
The test involves blood being drawn at a lab and will take about four weeks for results. The cost to know your fate: In England the price is set at £435, which is roughly $705 at today’s exchange rate.
The upside of a test like this is that you have the opportunity to make lifestyle changes that will benefit you and increase your lifespan, should you choose to do so. A study published online and in print form, in The Lancet Oncology in 2008, gathered evidence showing major lifestyle changes may extend life and prevent premature cell death.
Thirty men with low-risk prostate cancer who were asked to make significant lifestyle changes participated in a study lead by Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, a UCSF biochemist and known for her discovery of telomeres, along with her lead colleague Dr. Dean Ornish.
The men were introduced to their new lifestyle, which lasted for three months, during a three-day residential retreat. They were taught stress reduction techniques, and given instructions on how to follow their strict diet, that involved a 10 percent lower calorie diet from fat, low refined sugars, and a diet filled with fresh fruits, veggies, whole foods, fish oil and supplemental vitamins. They were also taught to incorporate a moderate aerobic activity to their daily regimen and even learned relaxation methods, and breathing techniques.
Telomerase levels for the men were taken at the beginning of the study, and again after the three-month period. Researchers discovered telomerase in the blood increased by 29 percent and bad cholesterol decreased. Telomerase is an enzyme that repairs and lengthens telomeres, a DNA protein complex which affects how fast cells age.
Would you be willing to take the test? Would you alter your life accordingly or continue on the path you are on?
Balance Spa New Orleans, we specialize in helping people relax. From our relaxing amenities to our extensive menu of spa services, Balance Spa New Orleans is dedicated to helping our guests escape the stresses of everyday life. Call us today at (504) 595-5333!
Tags: biological age, chronological age, stress reduction, ancient rome, health status, blood test
May 10, 2011
 Taking Time Out for a day spa Massage – Good for Body and Soul
AT The Balance Spa at the Loews Hotel in New Orleans, we are well aware of the busy lives most people today lead. Whether it’s a demanding career, a busy life managing the home and raising children, or a grueling school schedule, it’s often difficult to find even a moment during the day to slow down this often frantic pace and catch our breaths.
Stress Can Be Dangerous to Your Health
It is a well-known fact that overwork, tension, and stress represent some of the leading causes of debilitating conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer. Therefore, it is extremely important to periodically turn off the computer and cell phone, send the children to their grandparents, and close the school books in order to get much needed rest to restore and rejuvenate body and soul.
Relaxation and Beauty – An Unbeatable Combination
The quality day spa services of the Balance Spa include a number of unique ways to accomplish relaxation and beauty.
Relaxing facials. A Balance Spa’s day spa facial is an ideal way to take time out of your busy day to relax and be pampered. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring that you have the most relaxing and comfortable experience possible. In addition to exfoliating, cleansing and moisturizing the skin, our skilled estheticians massage the face and neck, using light, gliding strokes that both relax face and neck muscles and stimulate blood flow. Our facials leave your entire body feeling relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated.
Soothing pedicures. The feet represent one of the most sensitive areas of our bodies, containing thousands of nerve endings and “reflex” points that correlate with other areas of the body. Because you probably spend a large part of the day on your feet, we want to ensure that you receive a soothing foot and leg massage as an integral part of our pedicure process. A day spa pedicure is an excellent way to relax and beautify tired, aching feet.
Deep-tissue massages. Getting a full-body or even a partial day spa massage is one of the most effective ways to relieve the stress and tension that accumulate in the body’s muscles and connective tissue. Our skilled massage therapists use a variety of massage techniques (e.g., Swedish, pressure-point, reflexology) to stimulate circulation and promote relaxation. Experience the soothing and healing benefits that only a Balance Spa massage can offer.
Let the Balance Spa New Orleans help you choose the perfect combination of beauty and stress-reducing services that will provide the most restorative and rejuvenating experience for you. Call our day spa today at 504-595-5333 to schedule your next appointment.
Tags: The Balance Spa, body and soul, spa New Orleans, day spa services
April 25, 2011
Why is massage so effective? (Discover the Benefits of a Full-Body New Orleans Massage – Part 1)
New Orleans Massage – A New Orleans massage from Balance Spa New Orleans, involves the direct manipulation of the physical body. A New Orleans Massage works so well on a host of conditions because massage encourages the body to relax. When the body is in a relaxed state, heart beat and breathing slow down, blood pressure decreases, and stress hormones go down as serotonin, the feel-good hormone rises. As a result, the many risks associate d with stress – cardiovascular disease, anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue to name just a few – are significantly reduced.
New Orleans Massage – In addition, the manipulation of soft tissue and muscle results in improved blood and lymph circulation, as well as reduced tension in the muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and associated nerves. This allows for a more effective release of toxins from the body, improving health at the cellular level.
Here are some additional reasons why you owe it to yourself to get a full-body New Orleans massage at Balance Spa New Orleans.
A full-body New Orleans massage will help:
• Reduce pain by releasing hormones known as endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killer.
• Increase the flexibility of hip, shoulder, knee and other joints.
• Stretch and loosen tight and/or weak muscles
• Improve the quality and length of sleep
• Improve respiration
• Decrease water retention and cramping that occur during the menstrual cycle
• Improve mental clarity and concentration
• … and much, much more.
New Orleans Massage – With all of these benefits available, there’s really no reason for you not to schedule an appointment at Balance Spa New Orleans. Call us today at 504-595-5333 and let one of our licensed massage therapists help you select the massage therapy that’s right for you.
Experience the benefits of receiving the full-body New Orleans massage from Balance Spa New Orleans today!
Tags: blood pressure decreases, Health Medical Pharma, heart beat, mental clarity, lymph circulation, New Orleans Massage, day spa New Orleans
April 18, 2011
A New Orleans massage from Balance Spa, is one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences that we have to offer. You owe it to yourself to experience a full body massage.
A centuries old technique, the application of massage for therapeutic purposes dates back over 3,000 years. It was used by the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Hindus, Persians and Greeks and continues to be used today to treat a wide range of symptoms and conditions, including tension caused by chronic stress, auto-immune conditions such as arthritis; diabetes, high blood pressure, and other debilitating diseases; as well as anxiety and depression.
Our goal for your New Orleans massage, at Balance Spa New Orleans, is to evaluate your needs and provide the proper treatment.
New Orleans Massage – What Is Massage?
New Orleans massage – While our local spa services provide hundreds of different New Orleans massage therapies, most involve some form of manipulation of the body’s soft tissue and muscles by means of pressure, stroking, kneading, tapping, rocking, vibration, and/or friction. Many massage therapies also include the application of oils and other substances to reduce the amount of friction caused by the stroking and kneading.
Why is a New Orleans massage so effective?
A New Orleans Massage that involves the direct manipulation of the physical body works well on a host of conditions because it encourages the body to relax. When the body is in a relaxed state, heart beat and breathing slow down, blood pressure decreases, and stress hormones go down as serotonin, the feel-good hormone rises. As a result, the many risks associated with stress – cardiovascular disease, anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue to name just a few – are significantly reduced.
Schedule your New Orleans massage, at Balance Spa New Orleans now to begin enjoying the benefits of a full body massage.
Tags: full body massage, soft tissue, local spa services, massage therapies, Balance Spa, cardiovascular disease
February 28, 2011
MASSAGE NEW ORLEANS – Once you’ve experienced an amazing massage from Balance Spa, New Orleans, there is no denying the many benefits of massage. Studies have shown massage to benefit everything from muscle tension, to stress relief, to mental processing. But did you know that receiving a massage regularly can also help relieve osteoarthritis? Read the following article for more information.
Massage Therapy Helps Osteoarthritis – Balance Spa New Orleans
By Maureen Williams, ND
Massage therapy might be a good prescription for people with osteoarthritis, a new study suggests.
The cartilage that cushions the joints is constantly wearing away due to everyday activities and being replaced through healthy repair mechanisms. But as we age, the repair process slows down and the joint cushion thins. The result is osteoarthritis, marked by joint pain, stiffness, and physical disability.
As many as 21 million people in the United States suffer from osteoarthritis, the most commonly reported chronic condition in elderly people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that osteoarthritis causes more physical disability than lung disease, heart disease, and diabetes, and annual costs associated with osteoarthritis are estimated at $60 billion.
Read the entire article here.
At Balance Spa in New Orleans, we are dedicated to providing you with the information you need to choose the right spa treatment. If you or a loved one would like more information on using massage to treat osteoarthritis, visit Balance Spa, New Orleans where we specialize in helping you maximize the benefits of your massage. We are the top massage spa in New Orleans offering a full range of spa services.
Tags: joint pain, centers for disease control and prevention, New Orleans, repair mechanisms, Maureen Williams
February 10, 2011
TLC Massage 50 minutes: $105, 80 minutes: $135, 110 minutes: $170
Be ultra good to yourself or your loved one with this combination of Swedish, Aromatherapy and Deep Tissue Massage. This is just the TLC your body needs to fight fatigue and restore vitality.
*Add a complimentary Sea Foam Revitalizer Treatment if you choose
Couples Delight 50 min: $80 per person, 80 minutes: $110 per person, 110 minutes: $145 per person
You and your special someone will melt away as you enjoy a classic Swedish massage together in our couple’s treatment room. Improve circulation, ease muscle aches and relieve tension with this flowing, moderate pressure massage.
*Add a complimentary aromatherapy enhancement if you choose.
Skincare
Radiance Facial 50 minutes: $90
Go from dull and sallow to bright and refreshed with a customized facial. This treatment will focus on the specific needs and concerns of the skin, including clarity, texture, elasticity and firmness. Leave glowing and hydrated after this facial treatment.
*Add a complimentary hand exfoliation if you choose.
Nail Services
Romantic Manicure 30 minutes: $20
Romantic Pedicure 30 minutes: $35
Nurture your nails with a warm soak, cuticle treatment, light massage and polish or buff.
*Add a complimentary aromatherapy enhancement if you choose.
Loews New Orleans Hotel, 8th Floor
300 Poydras Street
New Orleans. LA 70130
504.595.5333
www.BalanceSpaNewOrleans.com
Tags: facial treatment, deep tissue massage, day spa, valentine s day
January 15, 2011
Welcome to the Balance Spa and Fitness of New Orleans Blog
Whether you are looking for a few hours of pampering and rejuvenation to lift your spirits and propel you through your day, or a day-long healthful escape, we are your destination for health and relaxation.
The Balance Spa New Orleans offers a comprehensive package of amenities and services to serve your needs, all within the posh surroundings of the Intercontinental Hotel.
Invigorate your physique, skin and psyche!
Balance Spa & Fitness
- Amenities: Indoor salt water pool, whirlpool, dry sauna and fitness center (all are co-ed)
- Spa Services Offered: Massage, facials, body treatments, waxing, nail services
- Fitness Services Offered: Fitness memberships, personal training, wellness coaching
- All Services are offered for an additional fee in-room or on-site (we will travel to another hotel or residence)
- Skin care product lines: Jan Marini and Phytomer
- Food/Drinks: All spa guests may order food or drinks form a special menu (for an additional fee) provided by the Loews Hotel. Food and drinks can be enjoyed in the pool area before of after services.
Other points of interest
- All Spa guests receive complimentary access to the fitness center, pool, whirlpool and dry sauna for the entire day of their spa services
- All fitness members receive 10% off all spa services
Tags: New Orleans message, pool area, Spa Services Offered, nail services, day spa New Orleans, dry sauna
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