Aug 6, 2015 | Guest's Story
I let my legs glide through the sand to the rhythm of the crashing waves. I sink my toes into the sand, letting it engulf my feet. I look up to see the waves beating to the rhythm of their own drums. It’s as if there is a heartbeat within each wave. I breathe in the pristine air of Thailand during our early morning beach walk before we make our way back to the beautiful resort that is Santosa. I take my sandals off and I make my way to the morning meeting.
As I sit there within our group of detoxers I get ready to drink my vibrant green wheat grass shot and my ginger tea. As it races through my body I prepare to make my cleanse drink all while revealing my very own oracle card and conversing on topics such as super foods or finding out more about chemicals in our daily lives.
I then find myself shuttered with excitement as I make my way for my coffee break, more formally known as a colonic! Not knowing what to expect on my first day doing a juice detox I was surprised to find how energized I felt. After my colonic I strutted my way to the juice bar and picked up my coconut juice and as I downed my nutrition pills I already begin to sense my excitement for the next exotic juice that Santosa provides.
I then get ready to release the strains in my body with Bliss Yoga. I struggled controlling my breathing all whilst stretching my limbs to the max. As I sit with my head resting on the mat and my legs far above my head I struggle keeping my body up, but with more aimed effort I am able to control my body and mind and put my body into a raised stasis. I let the sweat of pure effort drip down my face while I allow my muscles to cool down with my much awaited Juice.
As the juice rolls its way down my tongue I taste the pomelo as it has a rendezvous with my tastebuds, I taste the apple and mint medley as it weaves in between my taste buds, and this happens all while I get ready to relax for my warm oil massage. I lay in the room while I feel the fingers run up my back, like a massage from a divine spirit. I lay there unable to move, not because I can’t, but because the divinity of the massage is too pure.
Moments later in the Sauna, I find myself surrounded in herbal infused steam as it detoxes my body and releases unneeded toxins. As the heat rises, I run to the ice bath and I plunge my body into the arctic pool. Goosebumps manifest, my body’s circulatory system is jumpstarted just before I run back into the sauna for another round of a sweating detox. After I leave the sauna I find myself strolling into Santosa’s gorgeous restaurant to pick up my warm broth. As I sit in the restaurant savoring the taste of the warm broth at the end of the day, I look out from the restaurant to see the eccentric view and feel the sublime of living here. Tomorrow I embark on a new journey in the wonderful world of Santosa, and I suspect every moment of tomorrow will be just as resounding as today.
Jul 17, 2015 | Healthy Eating
Millions of people travel every day, coming in and out of the airports. They think they have no choice, but to eat the airport and airplane food because it is the only thing available.
But what if you don’t want to give up your health just because you’re travelling?
Find out the nifty tricks you can apply!
Now that many companies have introduced the vegetarian/vegan/raw/no dairy/no fish/no whatever else you can think about choice, it’s getting easier and, as I think there is always space for improvement and transformation, I’m still very careful and I take precautions.
Remember that most of the time we are talking about pre-packaged, pre-cooked food. We don’t know what is inside and the food is often heavily processed with additives and preservatives.
So, as a chef and coach, I would like to share with you my tips and suggestions about how to survive airport and airplane food, simply by bringing your own food on board. The only thing you have to make sure is that your food won’t be confiscated at the security checks (you can ask your travel agent to provide you with this information).
Here are some items that don’t get confiscated but be sure to check the quantity you are allowed to carry on board.
– crunchy snacks like crackers, kale chips, raw crackers, veggie chips (you need a dehydrator for that; for some recipes you can use the oven so you can bake delicious crackers and granola bars)
– homemade sandwiches wrapped in paper and transparent plastic bags of appropriate size. Remember not to use any foil, as they will ask you to open the bag and check because the foil hides the content to the x-rays machine. Some (vegan) ideas for sandwiches: vegetable ham, hummus and salad; vegetable mayo and grilled veggies; homemade peanut butter sprinkled with sesame seeds and salt and fresh apples; homemade veggie burger and mayo and salad…..
– fresh fruit and veggies. Bananas and oranges are perfectly “packaged” by Mother Nature as a great travel snack! Cherry tomatoes, grapes, carrots, are other great examples. If you feel brave you can also bring avocados on board and eat them with the spoon provided by the company.
-trail mix: I like to make my own at home, rather than having the one from the shop; my fav recipe is this: ½ cup each of raisins, blueberries, prunes, almonds, pumpkin seeds and coconut flakes. It gives me energy and it is nutrient-dense. If you put more dried fruit like dates or apricots you can prepare fruit bars.
-tea bags of your favorite brand, to make hot tea and sip it during the flight and if you carry your fav book and/or your music it will be (almost) like at home!
What happens when you eat such food? Besides the obvious of not eating food laden with chemicals and preservatives, you will feel much better upon arrival to your destination and the jet-lag won’t be that horrible because your energy level will be higher than usual.
…and if you add probiotics to your fruit bars, it will be even better!
Happy Travelling, Your Susanna.
Jun 28, 2015 | Healthy Eating
When dieting and invited to an even typical thoughts might be:
“What am I gonna eat? Celery stick? No way, there will be the best selection of my favorite food…”
“Should I say yes to the mayo-chipotle-double sauce-veggie- -pancake-with-french-fries-on-the-side? It’s for tonight only…”
Every event could seem perfect to splurge, but the consequence can be the worst kind of party affliction: the FOOD HANGOVER.
Here some easy-to-follow tips to save you, so you will learn how to say no to that extra slab of creamy, spicy, luscious, fluffy yummy dip.
1- Go to sleep earlier the night before the party and rest at least for seven hours
Rest up at least for seven or eight hours. When we sleep less than that, we have the tendency to eat more than what we need and to choose higher fat foods. This will have a consequence on our choices, when in front of a buffet.
2- Be a food detective
We have the tendency to consume the most of the food we first pile onto our plates, so act accordingly: take a look at the buffet and examine all the dishes, and ask questions if necessary. Don’t be afraid you’ll not be able to have that amazing fresh vegetable roll because the other guests are fighting to have one: just wait for few minutes and you will find them again. The catering companies know this very well, that’s why they always have extra rolls ready J
Use your senses: sight, smell and talk to the waiters, they can give you the best advice.
3- What to drink?
Drinking water, two or three full glasses, before going to the party will help you reduce your appetite so you can make the best choices once you are in front of the buffet. The choice will not be driven by psychologic hunger. At the party ask for fruit juice or fruit mocktail. If there will be wine and you really, really, really want a taste of it, follow this simple rule of thumb: when pouring the wine, mentally count to 3 before saying stop: that is the right quantity of wine. Actually wine can help you because it can reduce the impact of high fat foods. Please, remember that moderation is the key.
4- Choose a small plate
Do we really need to explain this?
Several studies demonstrate, that by choosing a smaller plate, we can trick our brains to think we are eating more.
Another piece of advice: go for the vegetables, unadorned. Despite the fact that I’m vegan, so this article might be a little tricky and definitely supporting the vegan movement, veggies are really the best choice at parties. Cooked or raw, they can fill you up leaving you lighter and ready to dance like a pro…without that nasty food coma, too!
Golden Rule:
If there is fruit at the buffet, always eat fruit as first course, possibly without any yoghurt or custard or double-cream-mousse. Eating fruit first will help you to feel full, without being bloated and the sugar of the fruit is enough for you not to feel the need to put that extra slab of sauce or ice-cream on top. When the blood sugar level is ok, you don’t feel “the need” to eat like tomorrow never comes J
This is it for today, don’t forget to let us know about your results and if you like this article, like it on FB!
Jun 9, 2015 | Santosa Programs
“Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.”
Andrew Weil, M.D.
Do you feel there is a power outside of you that directs your life?
Do you seem never to be able to complete things?
Do you find it difficult to surrender to love?
Do you feel vulnerable under certain circumstances?
Are you addicted in any way?
Is the feeling of responsibility sometimes overwhelming?
Do you expect others to help you solve your issues, or “rescue” you?
Breathwork is one of the oldest methods for transformation and physical well-being, creating deeper harmony, spiritual connection and joy. The simple process of breathing, fully and deeply, empowers us out of feeling as a “victim”.
When we consciously breathe we release the emotional and negative charge out of our cell memory and the primary result is an experience of clarity at all level.
By learning how to use breathing as a transformational tool, we learn how to free ourselves at every level and a regular practice will energize us, empowering us to use our potential for joy, aliveness, vitality, spiritual awareness and peace.
Join us at Santosa Wellness and Detox center, for Breathing Class every Wednesday, from 11:00 to 12:00, with Susanna Eduini, Certified Breathwork Practitioner.
“We are the stars which sing,
We sing with our light;
We are the birds of fire,
We fly over the sky.
Our light is a voice:
We make a road
For the spirit to pass over.”
– Algonquin Song of the Stars
Jun 8, 2015 | Detox & Wellness
You have Parasites. It’s a given. Do you eat unwashed raw food? Do you cuddle with your pet or other animals? Do you sometimes skip washing your hands after a toilet break? These are all possible ways to contract parasites. It’s not hard and most of the time we live with them in harmony – they are a part of life. But what if they get out of hand and wreak havoc on your system?
Some of the symptoms you have when parasites are raging war in your body are…
Digestive issues such as:
Constipation and/or diarrhea, gas and bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, loss of appetite, bad taste in the mouth, vomiting (may return several times a year), sugar craving , weight gain OR may have trouble gaining weight, children especially and long-term presence may contribute to the development of food allergies
Physical symptoms such as :
painful menstruation, joint and muscle aches, skin conditions – mostly irritation/itching at nose, ears, eyes, anus – but also potentially rashes, hives, eczema. Also anemia, teeth grinding, headaches, runny nose, blisters on lower lip inside mouth, tumors, acne, sudden fever, dark areas under eyes, allergies and recurring yeast/candida infections
As well as other symptoms such as:
nervousness, sleep disorders, hyperactivity, anxiety, chronic fatigue, fuzzy thinking;
Pfew that’s quite a long list!
What is a Parasite exactly?
“A parasite is a tiny organism that lives on or in another host organism and is fed at the expense of its host. In other words the parasites that live inside us use up our vitamins, proteins and all other nutrients. Not only do they do this, they also do their “business” inside us releasing their toxic bacteria and viruses inside us.” – Dr. Hulda Clark. While they are often fond of the colon, this is not the only place parasites can be found. Any part of your body is vulnerable to infestation: the lungs, liver, esophagus, brain, blood, muscles, joints, skin…and even your eyes.
What can we do about Parasite infestations?
First you need to weaken them by starving them of their favorite food – refined sugars found in bread, pasta, white rice, chips, cookies, sweets and sweet drinks.
Detox is a phenomenal way to kill these little critters.
While you are fasting or eating healthy, light natural wholefoods the parasites get weakened.
Especially beneficial foods against them are pumpkin seeds, raw garlic, pineapples, papaya seeds and dried figs.
While you are weakening them with food (or lack thereof) killing off the adult specimen as well as the eggs and larvae is important. This is done with special herbs that kill these creatures at different stages.
Also Garlic Colonics are very effective for the removal of these unwanted residents.
It is quite an involved process and can get quite unpleasant when the parasites start to die off as they release toxic gases that can give us all sorts of symptoms such as headaches, nausea, diarrhea, cramps even fever can occur.
It is an important part of detoxing and the benefits are huge!
If you are eating healthy, exercising well, laughing, loving and taking care of yourself but still feel like something is “off” or you are not as healthy as you feel you should be – it’s time to do a parasite cleanse.
