Tag: Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Top 5 Health Benefits of Saunas And Steam Rooms

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Top 5 Health Benefits of Saunas And Steam Rooms

Saunas and steam rooms are not for everyone, but this is one thing we look forward to most after a workout. It is a great way to relax and recharge. Steam rooms and saunas are similar, both are heated rooms and used for relaxation and to help relieve symptoms of certain medical conditions. There are differences between the two, steam rooms offer moist heat, while a sauna provides dry heat from a wood or electric stove. We researched more into the benefits, and here are some of the reasons you need to steam and sauna your way to better health.

Post-workout relaxation: Muscles need to be relaxed and stretched after they are exercised in order to promote healthy recovery. This process is expedited by muscle relaxation, which occurs in response to a hot environment. Saunas and steam rooms also relieves joint and muscular tension. The heat soothes, warms and relaxes your muscles. Which is why this is so important to do after sport. It is said that it helps with joint pain as well as arthritis, migraines, and headaches.

(Photo credit: HUUM)

Removes toxins and clears the skin: We found out that sitting in a sauna and steam for just 20 minutes can get rid of an entire day’s sweat and all of the toxins! Steam clears the skin of impurities.  It improves circulation in the whole body, which gives you a healthy glow and will make your skin look and feel amazing.

Reduces stress: The heat causes the body to release endorphins that reduce the feeling of stress in the body. After you will feel rested and rejuvenated.

(Photo credit: Lukas Kubica)

Helps with weight loss and a healthy blood flow: The heat of steam and saunas get you sweating which can help even shed a few extra pounds of water weight. Capillaries dilate when exposed to the heat of a sauna or steam room, so blood flows freely and easily through the whole body, transporting oxygen everywhere you need it and leaving you feeling refreshed.

Opens the sinuses: Wet heat opens and thins mucous membranes in your body, sinuses, throat and lungs. Loosening mucous can be felt after entering a sauna as your breathing feels clearer. This can be especially beneficial for those who suffer from chronic congestion or sinus infections.

Shelley & Michelle xx

Fitness

Benefits From A Pilates Workout

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Benefits From A Pilates Workout

Pilates is a form of exercise which concentrates on strengthening the body with an emphasis on core strength. It helps to improve general fitness and overall well-being. Similar to Yoga, Pilates concentrates on posture, balance and flexibility. This form of exercise was developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany, who believed that physical and mental health were closely connected.

Although there are similarities between yoga and Pilates as they both focus on the mind-body connection, yoga tends to focus more on spiritual well being. It is a more relaxing form of exercise whereas Pilates is more physical and focuses on toning and strengthening.

Photo credit: Ginny Rose Stewart

Practicing Pilates on a regular basis provides plenty of well-rounded benefits. The great thing is that Pilates can be enjoyed by anyone and at any age. If you’re a beginner you can start with the more easier exercises and then once you’ve mastered those, you can work on the advanced moves. Always check with your health professional if you haven’t exercised for a while, are older or pregnant, or have health problems.

  • Good posture – Pilates will teach you to gain and maintain good posture. The exercises require that your body is always in alignment. This is especially beneficial if you suffer from lower back pain.
  • Clears the mind and improves your mood – Pilates focuses on providing balance between your mind and body, it gives you an overall sense of well-being. Pilates can improve your mood as physical activity causes endorphins to be released and causes a positive feeling in the body. Some scientists believe that being active can enhance wellbeing as it brings about a sense of better self-confidence and self-control.
  • Muscle Tone – The exercises involve the use of muscles that you may not use on a daily basis. After the initial soreness, you’ll find that your muscles will be much more toned.
  • Flat abdominal muscles – As Pilates focuses on strengthening your core which includes your abdominal muscles, you’ll find that one of the benefits of Pilates is that it will result in a flat stomach.
  • Flexibility – As we age we tend to lose the flexibility we had when we were younger. Pilates is said to restore your flexibility. After a while you’ll be amazed at how much more flexible your body has become.
  • Improves your balance – Through the mind-body connection, you will become much more aware of how your body moves and performs. Pilates not only improves your physical balance through correct posture but will also restore your mind-body balance.
  • Reduces stress – When doing the exercises, you’ll be in the moment and won’t be able to think about all those responsibilities that weigh you down on a day to day basis. You’ll be more focused on your breathing and on the moves that you are making with your body. This is one of the best ways to relieve stress.
Photo credit: Elena Kloppenburg

Shelley & Michelle xx

Food, Lifestyle

Dining at Brat, London

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Dining at Brat, London

If you are a food lover then you have to experience the delicacies Brat has to offer. Based in London’s Shoreditch, the vibe of the restaurant was so relaxed and there’s always something extra special when the chefs cook the meals in an open kitchen. It shows professionalism and excellence as well as allowing diners to admire the chefs expertise.

We started with a variety of different small plates, each and every one was excellent, and couldn’t tell you our favourite dish as they were all so tasty.

The small plate portions were just right and consisted of Maldon Oyster with Cucumber & Seaweed, Grilled Bread, Grilled Padron Peppers, Spider Crab Toast, Scarlet Prawns, Green Salad followed by the Beef Rib and Smoked Potatoes. We were so stuffed and actually asked for a doggy bag! The food was too good to just throw away and would have regretted that in the morning. We shared dessert which was the Caramel Cream and was delicious.

Instead of us typing away, we’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. Enjoy.

Maldon Oyster with Cucumber & Seaweed
Grilled Bread
Grilled Padron Peppers
Spider Crab Toast
Scarlet Prawns
Green Salad
Beef Rib
Smoked Potatoes
Caramel Cream

Shelley & Michelle xx

Travel

Our Staycation in Bath

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Our Staycation in Bath

Bath is the largest city in Somerset, England, known for and named after its Roman-built baths. Fun fact, It is said that Jane Austen lived in Bath in the early 19th century, and used the city as a setting for some of her novels. Bath has also been home to many more impressive residents over its long history and has over 6 million yearly visitors, making it one of ten English cities visited most by overseas tourists. Attractions include the spas, canal boat tours, museums, galleries and Royal Victoria Park which hosts carnival and seasonal events. It’s such a quick and easy journey to Bath, it took us less than 2 hours from London by train.

We stayed at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel that sits on 7 acres of private grounds. If you’re looking to unwind or just enjoy a few days of peace and quiet then this is the ultimate destination. The rooms are so cosy and the facilities include an award winning restaurant, breathtaking landscaped gardens, leisure club, hydrotherapy pool, and thermal spa. A lot of our time was well spent relaxing in the sauna’s and steam room. There’s also an ice room where we smothered our bodies with the crunchy ice, it was of course freezing, but always good to do as it closes the pores and cools you down after a steam. One of our evenings was spent out in the hydrotherapy pool which was so calming. It was absolutely freezing outside but the hydro pool was so warm. It was great to just lie back and watch the stars in the nights sky.

Bath is a city where you can relax and discover new things. We took a long winters stroll, taking in the scenery and getting lost in the surroundings and came across a very interesting building called Victoria Art Gallery, which is a public art museum. We walked up a spiral staircase and viewed the galleries collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts. The Gallery was named to celebrate Queen Victoria’s sixty years on the throne. It includes over 1,500 decorative arts treasures, including a display of British oil paintings from 17th century to the present day.

If you decide to visit Bath you must try Hudson Steak house. It’s one of the best steaks we have ever eaten! The gravy and mash was so tasty. Hudson steak house specialises in prime dry aged steaks, and some mouth watering classic dishes.

Shelley & Michelle xx