Destination Spa Vacations

It's 2013! Keep in shape with winter sports

Time to get those resolutions going and we bet that exercising is on your list! The team at Canyon Ranch, Lenox in Massachusetts wants to make winter workouts fun. Here's some advice:

-Because calories are a measure of energy (heat), winter offers the perfect calorie-burning environment. When you're out in the cold, your body uses energy just staying warm. As a result, you'll burn more calories for the amount of time and effort expended than when you exercise in warm weather.

-Each winter sport provides a different kind of conditioning. Snowshoeing is a true endurance sport, and is an ideal way for hikers to step up their fitness routines because it uses many of the same muscles as hiking, but is heavier work.

-Downhill skiing requires a strong core and legs, plus great agility. If you plan to ski and you're not in shape, you'd be well-advised to hit the gym for a few weeks before hitting the slopes. A long afternoon on the slopes can be a strenuous lower-body workout, and you'll burn calories just being outside.

-For those who want a full-body workout in the outdoors, there's nothing better than cross-country skiing, which builds endurance while working all the major muscle groups. You burn more calories than on an indoor ski machine at the gym, plus you get to enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors.

-Whichever sport you pick; dress in layers. Winter temperatures fluctuate throughout the day and your need for insulation varies with your level of activity. Avoid wearing cotton because it absorbs moisture and keeps you wet. Stick with multiple layers of high-tech, moisture-wicking fabrics such as capilene, polypropylene and fleece.

Have fun, snow bunnies! Debra

Healthy Recipe - Parmesan Pita Crisps - The Oaks at Ojai

Did you indulge a lot over the past few days? If so, you can begin a quest toward healthier eating before the end of 2012 with this recipe from The Oaks at Ojai. The Parmesan Pita Crisps will help you ring in a new year without guilt!

 

Parmesan Pita Crisps - makes 24 two-piece servings

6 mini whole wheat pitas 2 T. parmesan cheese, grated 1.Cut pitas into quarters and split. 2. Lay cut pitas rough side up on a cookie sheet, close together. 3. Sprinkle cheese over pita pieces and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes to brown and crisp. 4. Serve as a bread or cracker with soup or salad. 30 calories per serving

Start 2013 on a healthy note with tips from Red Mountain Spa & Resort

Want to feel slimmer by New Year's Day? The following tips from Red Mountain Spa & Resort's Fitness Manager Kim Watters will help you consume less food and expend more calories.

1. Encourage yourself to move more. For as little as $5 you can purchase a pedometer. You could also hang a note on the fridge to remind you to do chair dips, squats or counter-top pushups every time you find yourself searching for a snack.
2. Make healthier foods. Add fiber to some of your holiday recipes to help keep your belly full, which keeps you from going back for seconds. Try Mock Mashed Potatoes made from cauliflower instead of high-carb potatoes.
3. Set up a family or neighborhood sports tournament. 
4. While watching football on TV, grab your exercise ball and bounce, stretch and crunch.
5. Display your New Year's Eve outfit like a piece of art. It will remind you that you want to start the New Year looking beautiful, not bloated.
6. Stick to your workout schedule. If you normally go for a run on Friday mornings, try not to miss it. Make it a family activity and get the whole family to run, walk, skip, and jump around the block.

Take a look at the list above and add a few tips of your own. As you make fitness a priority, there will no longer be the need for the typical weight loss resolution. Debra

Healthy Recipe - Apple Strudel - Canyon Ranch, Lenox

Whether looking for a dessert for the holiday feast or something to serve during get-togethers, the Apple Strudel from Canyon Ranch, Lenox will hit the spot. Happy holidays!

Apple Strudel (10 servings)

-1 1/4 lb apples (such as Granny Smith or Macintosh), peeled and sliced
-1/3 cup cane sugar
-1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
-1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Pâté Brisée
-1 cup all-purpose flour
-1/4 teaspoon sea salt
-3 tablespoons cane sugar
-1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, diced
-4 to 6 tablespoons ice water

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with canola oil spray.
2. In a large bowl, toss apples with sugar, cinnamon, flour, and vanilla extract.
3. To prepare pâté brisée, place flour in a medium bowl. Add salt and sugar and mix well. Using a pastry cutter, cut butter into flour until it is size of small peas. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Dough will begin to form a ball when enough water has been added. Gather dough with dry hands and form into ball. Let rest for 5 minutes.
4. Roll into an 8" by 12" rectangle. Spoon filling along the long edge of the dough, about 1" from the edge. Roll dough and filling over itself and seal ends to form a strudel. Score into ten 1"slices.
5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until top is lightly browned. Remove from oven and trim any extra pastry off the ends. Cut into 10 servings.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 170, Protein: 2 g, Sodium: 48 mg, Carbohydrates: 30 g, Fat: 5 g, Fiber: 2g, Cholesterol: 12 mg

Holiday Damage Control: Destination Spa-Style

Do you feel like you have been eating and shopping since Halloween? I plan to start a month-long cleanse in January and encourage you to find ways to start 2013 on a healthy note. Here are some ideas to get you on a healthy track from my friends at Destination Spa The Oaks at Ojai:

-Take 10 full minutes daily to do nothing but breath. You'll be surprised how much clarity there is in silence and relaxation. Put your legs up and over a ball or a piece of furniture, or up the wall and say, "AH!"

-For the next eight weeks, only do exercise you love. Cut out what you dread and focus on what you enjoy; chances are you'll actually do it instead of ditching it.

-Come up with a 5-minute routine. For instance, do a short series of planks, downward dogs and end with child pose.

-Wear your best workout clothes; you may feel more motivated to keep up with the image your wardrobe creates.

-Food. Know Your Enemies/Know Your Friends! Your friends are fresh veggies & fruits, proteins that are not breaded or fried, and complex carbs. Public Enemy #1 is sugar, its accomplices are alcohol and anything with white flour!

-Create a good Plate. Take a reasonable amount of the right food for one person and then go sit down and eat it slowly and mindfully. Slowing down will give your body a chance to alert you as to when you are actually full.

Have the healthiest, happiest holiday ever! Debra

Healthy Recipe - Pumpkin Mousse - The Oaks at Ojai

Looking for a non-dairy alternative for the holiday feast or parties? The Pumpkin Mousse from Destination Spa The Oaks at Ojai is non-dairy and delicious.

Pumpkin Mousse
-3 cups pumpkin puree
-12 oz. soft or silken tofu
-1 TBS. gelatin
-1/4 cup apple juice concentrate
-6 oz. water
-1/2 c. honey
-2 tsp. ground cinnamon
-1/4 tsp. ground all-spice
-1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Mix water and apple juice concentrate in a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over liquid and let sit for ten minutes. In the meantime, puree tofu in food processor until smooth. Add pumpkin, honey and spices and continue to process until smooth. On low heat, melt gelatin with liquid. Whisk until smooth (you do not want any gelatinous lumps in this). With processor running, add gelatin and liquid mixture. Process until well incorporated. Chill for at least three hours or overnight. Mousse can then be scooped with ice cream scoop onto plate or into bowl and garnished with vanilla or maple yogurt and toasted nuts, if desired.

Serving size: 1/4 cup; Servings per recipe: 24

Give yourself a time out this holiday season

You may have put the kids or your partner in "time out" recently, but how about yourself? A few minutes of personal time during the holiday season can be a life saver. The pros at Destination Spa Birdwing suggest a great way to have a personal escape is to set aside time to practice yoga and meditation. The practices benefit the body in three ways:

• Meditation helps to reduce stress within the body. When meditating, you exercise concise breathing and through this, you are able to relieve stress. Once you add yoga into the mix, you'll automatically see a decrease in your stress levels.
• Yoga massages your inner organs. Through the unique positions taken during yoga, many internal organs are massaged, which can help in disease prevention.
• Both decrease tension in your muscles. By focusing your breathing on different parts of the body, you release tension from different muscles, which leads to a better feeling throughout your body and a clearer mind.

So, put down the wrapping paper and strike a pose! Debra

Healthy Recipe - Mayan Hot Chocolate - Rancho La Puerta

Chocolate was originally developed by the Mayan people of southern Mexico, long before the Spanish conquest. In small quantities, dark chocolate offers real health benefits. This creamy sorbet from Rancho La Puerta is based on an authentic Mexican drink recipe and has a secret ingredient.

Mayan Hot Chocolate (4 cups)

-1 cup cooked butternut squash pulp
-3 1/2 cups milk
-3 ounces Ibarra brand Mexican chocolate
-3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
-1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1. In a blender, puree the squash with 1 3/4 cups of the milk until perfectly smooth.
2. In a large saucepan, mix the remaining 1 3/4 cups of milk, chocolate, and spices. With a whisk, stir over low heat until the chocolate is melted, then add the pureed squash. Do not boil. Strain through a coarse sieve to remove any trace of the squash fiber.
3. Reheat gently in a heavy saucepan. Serve in little demitasse cups, with a crisp cookie for dipping.

A Holiday Treat for your Metabolism

'Tis the season for consumption. With so many delicious holiday treats, it's tough to watch your weight. How about if you could "fix" your metabolism for the tastiest holiday season ever?!

Here are some tips from Destination Spa The Heartland Spa in Illinois:

- First and foremost, do not starve your metabolism! If you are unsure of how many calories you need to keep your metabolism fed, get it measured. You can do this at places like The Heartland, medically-based fitness centers, college-based fitness centers, or check with a Registered Dietician in your area.

- The next way to save your metabolism is to increase muscle mass in the body. As we get older, we often lose muscles and gain weight, thus slowing our metabolic rate. Try weight-bearing exercises at home, in a gym, with a class, etc.

- Cardiovascular exercise is a must! Our bodies are meant to move, so: Get Up and Move! Go for a walk with your family and look at the holiday décor. Park at the back of the parking lot when shopping. Go caroling.

It is very common to cut calories during this time of the year to save yourself from weight gain. Just remember that the less calories we eat, the slower our metabolism will be. Keep it going! Debra

Healthy Recipe - Sweet Potato Pancakes - Canyon Ranch

Want to spice up breakfast this weekend? Sweet Potatoes definitely say autumn and are a hit with young and old alike. The Sweet Potato Pancakes from Canyon Ranch add a burst of sunshine to any day.

Sweet Potato Pancakes (makes 4 3-pancake servings)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar
- Pinch sea salt
- 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup maple syrup

1. In a medium bowl, combine flours, cane sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
2. In a small bowl, combine egg, milk, canola oil and buttermilk. Add to flour mixture. Add mashed sweet potatoes and mix until well combined.
3. Coat an electric frying pan or non-stick griddle with canola oil spray. Heat over medium heat until griddle is hot. Pour 3 tablespoons of batter onto griddle. Cook until the top of each pancake is covered with tiny bubbles and the bottom is brown. Turn and brown the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.
4. Serve 3 pancakes with 2 tablespoons maple syrup.

Each serving contains: 370 calories, 68 gm. carbohydrate, 8 gm. fat, 46 mg. cholesterol, 9 gm. protein, 551 mg. sodium