Category Archives for retreats

What are Antioxidants?

Compounds that protect our cells and tissues from damaging interactions with oxygen Free-Radicals. Well known antioxidant nutrients include A, C, E, zinc, selenium and betacarotene. These nutrients bolster the action of our natural defence enzymes.

For centuries, olive oil has been a kitchen staple, especially in Mediterranean countries such as Spain. Its widespread use in these countries is thought by many health experts to be one of the principal reasons behind the relatively low incidence of heart disease associated with a Mediterranean diet

“The next time you want a truly bone-healthy snack that offers maximum nutritional value, try combining a calcium-rich, low-fat dairy product with nuts, oatmeal, fortified cereal or other foods that contain magnesium.”

Research shows that eating breakfast can boost your metabolism, keep your blood sugar steady and give you energy throughout the day. One study showed that obesity and insulin resistance rates were 35-50 per cent lower among people who ate breakfast every day, compared to those who didn’t.

It soothes stress, helps you relax and makes you flexible- but you knew that. But yoga can also help you in ways that you might find surprising……

Sleep deprivation, not only frustrating as you lay tossing and turning in your bed, may also be making you fat and moody. It is now well known and documented that when we don’t get enough quality sleep we tend to crave and consume more of the stodgy stuff the next day, plus who hasn’t become slightly snappy with their nearest and dearest when they’re feeling tired

Cortisol is a stress hormone that has been linked to increases in weight gain, and can eat away at your muscle tissue. This is not just physical stress on the body, but also actual stress from other areas of your life such as work, family, relationships and money.

Pilates is taught in centres across the world, in Open Class, Personal Training or Retreats, and is undergoing phenomenal growth, gaining popularity daily.