Chiva-Som Luxury Health Resort - Hua Hin, Thailand

May 23rd, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in Thailand Fasting Centers

Chiva-Som means “Haven of Life,” an apt name for this international health resort covering 700 acres of secluded beach front paradise in scenic Hua Hin, Thailand. Harper’s Bazaar calls it the “gold standard of destination spas” because of its amazing catalog of personalized treatments, each one served wrapped in luxury and capped with Thai hospitality.chiva-som-resort Chiva-Som Luxury Health Resort - Hua Hin, Thailand

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

  • Detox
  • De-stress
  • Physiotherapy
  • Fitness Classes
  • Holistic Healing
  • Weight Management
  • Specialist Medi-Spa Treatments

Location: Hua Hin, Thailand

Setting: Beach location

Accommodation Prices: $1,515-$5,010/3 nights (peak season)

Retreat Prices: All retreats are priced similarly. Contact Chiva-Som for more information.

Noteworthy: Chiva-Som prides itself as the only destination spa to consistently rank in the top three of Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Travel Awards for the past decade. Its happy, satisfied clientèle is a recurring list. As one regular put it, “You can only leave Chiva-Som if you know you are coming back!”

Web Site: www.chivasom.com
Tel: +66 32-536-536
Email bookings: reservation@chivasom.com

MORE ABOUT CHIVA-SOM LUXURY HEALTH RESORT

You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube videoChiva-Som believes in a holistic, yet individualized, approach to wellness. It offers a full range of methodical programs in an environment conducive to achieving a revitalized mind, body and spirit. The facilities are extensive. The spa cuisine is superb. There is ample allotment for learning towards a lasting lifestyle transformation.

Each guest is guided through a unique journey to wellness, depending on the guest’s current state and specific needs. Whether it’s for weight loss and body toning, detoxifying and stress relief, anti-aging and skin rejuvenation, the right balance of therapy, diet, activity, and rest is determined. Even if customized, programs are non-regimental and conducted in an easy, laid-back pace.

How to Get There

Hua Hin, home to the Royal Palace, is 185 kilometers south of the capital. From Bangkok International Airport, a limousine service can be arranged for the 2 ½ hour drive to Chiva-Som for US$190 each way per luxury car. At US$110 each way per person, a 12-seater Cessna shuttles passengers from Bangkok to Hua Hin airport, where a Resort Van awaits.

Hua Hin is an international airport and accommodates private jets. Guests who avail themselves of the VIP airport welcome (US$60 per person and US$80 per couple) will have their own personal porter and a hostess who will take them through immigration and to their limousine or air transfer.

Accommodation

Chiva-Som blends Thai architecture with Western standards of comfort. All rooms, pavilions and suites offer a spectacular view of the Gulf of Thailand, and come with Thai sculptures and marble bathrooms, as well as DVD players. The Golden Bo Suite, the largest of Chiva-Som’s seven suites, has walls totally draped in Thai silk. A butler service is obligatory for all suites.

A minimum stay of 3 nights is implemented. Room rates vary depending on the season:

  • Peak Season (20 Dec to 5 Jan) –$1,515 to $5,010/3 nights
  • High Season (6 Jan to 30 Apr/1 Oct to 19 Dec) - $1,380 to $4,560/3 nights
  • Lean Season – (1 May to 30 Sept) - $1,230 to $4,095/3 nights

Guests can come alone, as couples, or with their children—if they are over 16. Laptops are allowed but not encouraged, and can be used only to connect with family and friends while inside the room. Guests can stay a minimum of three nights, although it is recommended that they stay for at least ten days to make the most of their visit.

Specialist Retreats

Chiva-Som offers nine Specialist Retreats, each with its own mix of programs chosen from a range of over 120 treatments, 40 fitness classes, and various leisure activities.

  • Fitness Retreat - improves biomechanical functions while taking into account the guest’s core stability, flexibility, endurance and strength.
  • Spa Pampering Retreat - promotes tranquility through rigorous body care rituals developed by harmonizing ancient techniques with modern methods.
  • Physical Renewal Retreat - eliminates body aches, discomforts and tensions and restores physical balance.
  • De-Stress Retreat - addresses imbalances by strengthening the body’s defensive mechanisms against lethargy.
  • Detox Retreat - utilizes special herbs and vitamins to cleanse body organs of toxins, which are the byproducts of indulgence and the strains of modern living.
  • Ultimate Detox Retreat - takes detox a step further by applying colonic hydrotherapy to improve digestion.
  • Weight Management Retreat - trains guests in finding and maintaining balance in their lifestyle by developing workout routines and correct eating habits.
  • Holistic Health Retreat - detects and attends to underlying dysfunctions and unexplained symptoms that are resistant to conventional treatments.
  • Chiva-Som Experience Retreat - provides the maximum flexibility for guests who want a taste of all available retreats or are unsure which one fits them best.

While some retreats require a longer stay than others, all retreats are inclusive of 3 spa cuisine meals per day, a choice of daily massage, and complementary use of the Water Therapy Suite which includes Steam, Sauna, and Jacuzzi. All retreats are priced the same.

Signature Treatments

A variety of therapies like the Five Elements, Lymphatic Aroma, and Rejuvenating G5 massages are certain to soothe every part of the body from scalp to foot. There are fine oil blends, herbs and volcanic and marble stones for an assortment of exotic treatments like:

  • The Indian Abhyanga and Shirodhara
  • The Japanese Shiatsu and Reiki
  • The Chinese Chi Nei Tsang
  • Different flavors of the traditional Thai massage

Ancient Asian healing techniques like Acupuncture are practiced. Packages are offered for specialized cases, like Body Shaping and Tanning, Pre-natal Care, Computer Stress and Jet Lag Therapies. All meticulous types of Facial and Body Therapies are available. Chiva-Som even has a Hair Studio that not only styles and perms using advanced products, but offers intensive services like the Nioxin Scalp Ritual for thinning hair.

Holistic Treatments

The incredible menu of holistic treatments include:

  • Detoxification
  • Flower Remedies
  • Iridology
  • Homeopathy
  • Balneotherapy
  • Meditation
  • Meridian Testing and Tapping Technique
  • Neuro Linguistic Programming (a new successful form of psychology and counseling)

These are carried out alongside sophisticated medical treatments, like Echocardiography, Bio Terrain Analysis, and Metabolic Rate Testing.

Food and Amenities

Chiva-Som’s spa cuisine has been praised for its indulgent but light, easily digestible dishes, all inspired by Thai culinary art. Since 2004, the British Airways has partnered with Chiva-Som to provide spa cuisine meals to its First Class passengers.

Chiva-Som has a gym filled with cardio and resistance machines, Pilates, aerobics and dance studios, outdoor and indoor pools, and pavilions for Thai boxing and different forms of Yoga and Tai Chi. Beach Biking, Sea Kayaking, Tennis and Golf—five international courses surround Chiva-Som—are welcome leisure interests.

For more information, visit www.chivasom.com.

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The Sanctuary Resort - Ko PhaNgan, Thailand

May 22nd, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Thailand Fasting Centers

The idyllic setting of The Sanctuary, a tropical paradise nestled away on the shores of Haad Tien in Ko Phangan island in Thailand, never fails to draw the tired and weary. Its natural lushness remains untouched since, as the story goes, two British trekkers discovered the desolate beach more than 15 years ago and decided to stay.sanctuary-resort The Sanctuary Resort - Ko PhaNgan, Thailand

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

  • Detoxification
  • Yoga and Pilates
  • Meditation
  • Chakra Balancing
  • Zen and Shamanic Healing
  • Flamenco and Mystical Belly Dance
  • Massage and Spa Treatments

Location: Ko Phangan Island, Gulf of Thailand

Setting: Beach and mountain locations

Open Since: 1989

Accommodation Prices: $3-$139/night

Fasting Program Prices: $47-$439 (depends on length and program type)

Noteworthy: The Sanctuary stands out with the best of Ko Pha Ngan’s more than 250 resorts because of its peaceful, pristine surroundings. Its guests leave cleansed and re-energized.

Web Site:
www.thesanctuary-kpg.com
Tel: +66 (0)81-899-2269

Email inquiries: info@thesanctuarythailand.com

MORE ABOUT THE SANCTUARY

The haven is split into two conjoined sections: The Sanctuary Resort and Spa and The Sanctuary Detox and Wellness Center. Whether it’s for meditation, detoxifying, pampering, or just simple relaxation, The Sanctuary fits the bill.

The Sanctuary Resort and Spa has a full range of services and facilities dedicated to the enrichment and well-being of guests. The aim is to let guests find inner peace and that rare oneness with nature, but without taking away the security and comfort they have grown accustomed to and deserve.

Resort and Spa

There are a dozen types of houses, bungalows and dorms to choose from. Accommodations for bungalows and dorms, however, are based on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be booked in advance. Guests can stay as long they want and enjoy the king size beds, hot water, lounge chairs and hammocks, and the stunning view of the ocean. Wireless internet access is available.

  • Sanctuary houses range from $47 to US$139 a night.
  • Bungalows start at $15.
  • Dorm rooms cost $3 per night.

The Spa Menu consists of soothing Aromatherapy and Oil massages, and miraculous body, face and hair treatments using nothing but natural ingredients. A Splash Pool Complex and a unique Herbal Steam Room built amidst granite boulders offer a unique, pleasurable hydrotherapy experience. Spa services can be booked upon arrival at The Sanctuary.

Like a nest the magnificent Zorba Hall stands serenely in the middle of the jungle flower gardens. The 84 square meter hall presents guests a sweeping view of the Gulf of Thailand. It was purposely built for and can be rented by groups who wish to practice their yoga or any other discipline, undisturbed, except by the warm sea breeze that wafts freely through the hall. Zorba has 8 private double bed rooms, each with distinctively designed bathrooms. Full spa services are available.

Detox and Wellness Center

Just next door, the Sanctuary Detox and Wellness Center offers a long list of fasting, cleansing, and colonic programs. Every guest is welcome but, out of courtesy to those undergoing treatments, eating is not allowed in the entire airy space. For guests who are entering and exiting Detox, pre-cleanse and post-cleanse menus are available in the Sanctuary Restaurant.

Fasting Packages

The Detox Center offers several fasting packages, ranging from the introductory 1-day Quick Detox program to the 7-day Complete Cleanse, which is a full week of detox and fasting with 2 colonic therapies each day. A Fruit Fast involving a fruit diet with herbal supplements is available for guests who are not yet ready for a full colonic program. The Liver Cleanse eliminates toxins that have accumulated in the body’s main filtering organ.

For those suffering from unexplained symptoms like mood swings, poor concentration, and cravings for sweets, the Candida Cleanse targets the usual suspect hiding in the gut: a yeast called Candida Albicans. Whichever package is chosen, the Center advises guests to allot at least 2 days of preparation before entering detox. Every guest is accorded a pre-cleanse consultation to form suitable recommendations.

Yoga classes are held twice a day. In between, guests can relax on Thai-style cushions, read a book from the health library, or use the video facilities. Meditation sessions are free but subject to the availability of teachers.

Alternative practices are offered in the Center on a regular basis. Rebalancing, Cranial Sacral Treatments, NLP Hypnosis, Inner Child Therapy, and Sound work are just some of the many procedures that complement the Wellness programs.

Retreats

Although The Sanctuary is not a retreat center, retreats are regularly offered. The most recent events and retreats at The Sanctuary include:

  • Dancing for Life
  • Shiatsu and Acupuncture
  • Pilates
  • Ashtanga-Dynamic Yoga
  • The Tao of Tantra
  • This Is Spinal Zap

The Jungle Gym has recently opened, outfitted with weights and exercise machines. Snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, and boat trips around the island are popular activities. An esoteric library nourishes with its 1,000 titles and broad novel collection. Guests are free to get involved in any activity and socialize, or choose to lie down on a hammock all day with an ice-cold beer on hand.

Food at The Sanctuary

An extensive selection of Thai vegetarian and seafood dishes are served in the Sanctuary Restaurant, situated on the beach. Fresh bread and cakes are baked daily. Cool music flows from the bar, which is fully equipped with wines and cocktails, as well as teas, shakes and juices. For a set price, guests can avail themselves of the traditional communal feast of a different international cuisine every night—also a great opportunity to bond with other guests.

Getting There

From Bangkok, take the next of Bangkok Airways’ 20 daily flights to Koh Samui Island, where companies offer ferry services to Ko Pha Ngan. Most boats berth at Tong Sala or Haad Rin. The fit and energetic can try the exhilarating trek over the hills to The Sanctuary; otherwise a $1 water taxi ride can do the job just the same.

The Sanctuary does not accept credit cards. For inquiries, email info@thesanctuarythailand.com.

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Spa Samui Resort - Koh Samui, Thailand

May 21st, 2008 | 2 Comments | Posted in Thailand Fasting Centers

The Spa is located on the eastern coast of Koh Samui, Thailand’s third largest island. This cluster of resorts is built amidst the mountain jungles of beautiful Lamai Valley and the sloping sands of Lamai Beach. The Spa Beach, Spa Retreat, Spa Village, and The Villas are all separate, yet each one is easily accessible from any other, giving guests the utmost freedom of choice between revelry and solitude, activity and relaxationspa-samui-koh-samui Spa Samui Resort - Koh Samui, Thailand.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

  • Fasting
  • Colon Cleansing
  • Yoga & Chi Gung
  • Meditation
  • Chiropractic & Reiki Healing
  • Tea Ceremony
  • Massage & Spa Treatments

Location: Koh Samui Island, Gulf of Thailand

Setting:
Beach & mountain locations

Open since: 1991

Accommodation Prices: $28-$189/night

Fasting Program Prices: $200-350 (depends on length an program type)

Noteworthy: This is Thailand’s original fasting and detoxification center with a family-run atmosphere that makes people form all over the world feel warm and welcome.

Web Site: www.SpaSamui.com
Tel: +66 (0)77-424-666
Email inquiries: thespa@spasamui.com

MORE ABOUT THE SPA RESORT

The Spa Resort combines the application of daily fasting with detoxifier drinks, colon cleansing, internal tissue enemas and herbal supplements, and Yoga and Chi Gung exercises, with Taoist Chinese teachings, lectures on nutrition by food gurus, and meditation classes led by Thai monks to achieve optimum, lasting results towards a longer and fuller life.

Guests can avail themselves of the wide range of services and activities at The Spa, whichever resort they are accommodated. Beginning with the extensive Massage Therapy programs, to sessions and classes in alternative healing like Chiropractic, Reiki, Tea Ceremony, Chakra Balancing, Hypnotherapy, Iridology, Crystal Healing, and Raw Food Preparation, to Skin Care rituals, Manicures and Pedicures, The Spa has it all.

Spa Beach Accommodation ($32-$44 and up)

Set in the lush beach front are 10 rustic bungalows and 14 rooms all overlooking the sea and surrounding a new exotic tropical swimming pool. Queen size beds, tiled Western bathrooms, and hot water are basic inclusions. Air-conditioned bungalows start at US$44 a night, standard rooms at US$32.

The Villas Accommodation ($189 and up)

Tucked in the tropical gardens, the island-style 2-bedroom villas are perfect for guests seeking absolute privacy. Inspired by the famous accommodations in Bali, each of these thatch-roofed, air-conditioned holiday rentals has an open living area and kitchen, king size bed, lounge and garden bathroom with hot water shower, filtered water, cable TV, DVD player, free internet connection, and its own full size salt-water pool.

Guests at The Villas are left alone in total peace. This does not mean, however, that they are not taken care of. The daily maid service and roving security guards are unobtrusive. In spite of the seclusion, The Villas is only a short stroll away from the beach. Nightly rates begin at US$189.

Spa Retreat Accommodation ($63)

The Spa Retreat has three studio apartments set on the hill side. Each is furnished with a king size bed, television, and refrigerator in the kitchen. The large bathroom has a bathtub and flowing hot water. A deck provides a panoramic view of Lamai Bay. A free hourly shuttle service takes guests to the Spa Beach and Spa Village. Apartment rates are set at US$63 a night.

Spa Village Accommodation ($28-$110)

Remarkable rock formations and the tranquil jungle enfold the Spa Village. A total of 39 bungalows, ranging from US$28 to US$110 a night, make up the commune. An exquisitely designed pool appears like a jungle pond, as it spontaneously blends with the native environment. Adjoining decks are ideal for sunbathing.

Each bungalow has the same breathtaking views and essential amenities as the other resorts, but the Spa Village has vital additions. It has a lounge outfitted with a health library, entertainment facilities, and travel and email service. A Herbal Steam Room, Sauna Room, and waterfall are fused in the rock formations. There are Massage, Yoga and Colema rooms amidst the rocky gardens.

There are phones in all rooms, and a car and motorcycle parking lot. Spa Village bookings are set at a minimum of four nights.

Food at The Spa Resort

The Spa Radiance Restaurant offers internationally famous vegetarian and raw dishes that assured its place in the top 50 restaurants in UK’s World Restaurant Magazine. Favorite dishes include:”

  • Raw Food Entrees
  • Thai Curries
  • Fresh Juices
  • Organic Salads
  • Soups
  • Sandwiches
  • Healthy Sweets & More!

Five Habits Philosophy

The Spa’s health philosophy revolves around its Five Habit System to Longevity:

  1. Cleansing
  2. Breathing
  3. Food Combining
  4. Exercise
  5. Meditation and Peacefulness

This philosophy is achieved at The Spa Resort through the application of daily fasting with detoxifier drinks, colon cleansing, internal tissue enemas and herbal supplements, and Yoga and Chi Gung exercises, with Taoist Chinese teachings, lectures on nutrition by food gurus, and meditation classes led by Thai monks to achieve optimum, lasting results towards a longer and fuller life.

The Spa offers comprehensive 3-7 day fasting programs at rates ranging from US$200 to US$350. There is an introductory package for beginners, a dedicated Liver Flush, and a specialized course for overcoming Candidiasis—the Candida Cleanse, to name a few.

The Products Used at The Spa Resorts

Some of the popular products used at The Spa are the Vitamineral Green and Green Mush. Both are alternative vitamins made from green plant extracts for stronger bones, better digestion, and organ nourishment. The Spa also puts out CDs of over 50 printable resort recipes and a 7-Day Cleanse Follow-Up Program manual, which guests can take with them when they leave. A vegetarian recipe book is also available.

Before or after a cleansing fast, The Spa recommends visits to the Theepapawan Meditation Retreat. The Theepapawan Center is situated at the top of the mountain above Hua Thanon, just south of Lamai, and offers 5-day Buddhist retreats for beginners. It lets guests experience the simple life of meditation exactly as it is practiced in all Thai monasteries. The retreat is free but donations are accepted.

The Spa Koh Samui can be contacted at +66 (0)77-424-666. Email inquiries to thespa@spasamui.com.

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The Master Cleanse: Fact & Fiction

May 17th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Master Cleanse

The Master Cleanse is one of the most-famous fasting diets around. Also known as the “Lemonade Diet,” the Master Cleanse is very simple to follow and extremely affordable.lemons The Master Cleanse: Fact & Fiction

Many people have used the Master Cleanse with outstanding results, but this is not a cleanse for those faint of heart! The name the “Lemonade Diet” is not really accurate, but this is how many people have referred to it since its inception over 50 years ago because lemon juice is the main ingredient used.

What to Expect with The Master Cleanse

On The Master Cleanse, you will drink a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, water, and cayenne pepper. This concoction will be consumed at room temperature, and the cleanse will ideally last for ten days. You can drink as much juice as you like on the cleanse, but it must be this spicy lemon concoction every time!

You will also need to drink a laxative tea each day to make sure that you do not become constipated. In addition, each morning, you need to drink a 32-ounce warm water and sea salt concoction called, “the top-down enema…” yikes!

The sea salt cocktail stimulates your digestive system and usually causes a bowel movement within an hour—but sometimes sooner! If this process works for you, you may not need to use the laxative tea at all.

The Master Cleanse is meant to assist your body in ridding itself of accumulated toxins. Many people have experienced the following benefits:

  • weight loss
  • boosted energy
  • clearer skin
  • improved digestion
  • improved vision
  • improved taste

Doctors as well as consumers have reported all of these positive side effects, which is why many people continue to use The Master Cleanse even though it was developed over 50 years ago.

While The Master Cleanse has proved to be very helpful for a lot of people, if you are looking for hard evidence of its benefits you may have to keep looking!

There is no empirical evidence to support most of the claims, but with so many people raving about their results, it’s hard to ignore the fact that this is a viable option for health seekers.

It’s important to look into The Master Cleanse and consider all of the potential risks and benefits before starting it. If you are unsure, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor and get some feedback before you begin.

This Master Cleanse phenomenon was started by a self-published health writer named Stanley Burroughs who was eventually put on trial for second degree murder in the state of California after one of his patients died under his care. Despite this tragedy, Burrough’s cleanse remains more popular now than ever before!

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Probiotics: “Growing” Your Digestive Strength

May 16th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Nutritional Supplements

You may have heard the term probiotics in the past but never really given any consideration to what they are or whether or not this is something that you should make a part of your life.probiotics Probiotics: Growing Your Digestive Strength

Let’s see what this is all about, shall we?

Probiotics are actually something that everyone can use because they have wide-reaching benefits that are scientifically proven to boost your health. For most people, probiotics will not only help you improve your current state of health, they will also prevent future conditions. Now that’s worth investigating!

Understanding Probiotics

Probiotics are essentially dietary supplements that provide the body with beneficial or “good bacteria.” Here’s the dictionary definition of probiotics:

“Live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”

In other words, there are “good bugs” and “bad bugs,” and probiotics are the good kind!

There are many different types of probiotics in use today with the most common being lactic acid bacteria. This is a common type of probiotic because of its ability to convert sugar and carbohydrates into lactic acid.

This probiotic called “lactobacillus” is present in many dairy product, and that’s why doctors often recommend that someone with gastrointestinal problems eat yogurt. This way, you get more “good bugs” in your intestines to fight off the “bad bugs.”

Here’s how it works: probiotics basically assist the body’s naturally occurring flora (good bacteria) to re-establish themselves. Doctors as well as nutritionists often recommend probiotic supplements after a patient has undergone antibiotic treatment since antibiotics tend to kill off the “good bugs” leaving you susceptible to illness.

Other reported benefits of probiotics:

  • strengthens the immune system
  • alleviates allergies
  • eliminates toxins
  • improves digestion
  • fights off disease

Here’s an even simpler way to understand probiotics: you want to increase the body’s beneficial bacteria in the hopes of outnumbering the negative or harmful bacteria.

Amazingly, this simple principal has been shown to work time and time again, so if you’re going through any sort of medical treatments or struggling with your health in any way, it’s a good idea to take probiotics both as treatment and as preventative natural medicine.

Inside our body, there are little battles happening every day. Foreign bugs and invaders are constantly trying to take over, so the more beneficial bacteria we have, the better prepared our body will be to win the war!

Probiotics have been used for ages, dating back to the 1920’s and 1930’s before there was even a concrete understanding of what was taking place inside the body.

Today, it’s believed that these beneficial bacteria can even help with the tolerance of lactose, the prevention of colon cancer, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, and reducing inflammation.

Probiotics have also been linked to improving mineral absorption and immune function, as well as helping to relieve diarrhea caused by the intake of antibiotics. Generally, probiotics have no negative side effects making them a great option in just about every case where better health is the goal.

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The Secrets of Noni for Radiant Health

May 16th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Superfoods

Most people have heard of noni fruit or noni juice, but hardly anyone knows what it is!

noni_fruit The Secrets of Noni for Radiant HealthIf you look around health-food stores or health websites, you’ll find that noni is everywhere! But do you know what it is? Where it comes from? Its benefits? If not, don’t worry because you’re about to learn exactly what all the fuss is about.

The Noni Fruit

The noni fruit is known by many names including the “great morinda,” “Indian mulberry,” “beach mulberry,” “Tahitian noni,” “nono,” “Mengkudu,” “Nonu,” and “Ach.”

Whatever you want to call it, this fruit was originally found in Southeast Asia but has been carried to other areas by humans. Today, the noni fruit can be found in the pacific islands, French Polynesia, and the West Indies, but Tahiti is where the commercial production of the fruit is most well known.

The noni fruit grows in many different areas including in shady patches in the forest and on the sandy shores of the sea. The plant takes about 18 months to fully mature and will provide four to eight kilograms of fruit every month throughout the entire year!

The good news it that each tree provides tons of fruit, but the bad new is that the fruit is full of seeds (although these can be eaten too)!

Some names for the fruit include “cheese fruit” and “vomit fruit,” because as it ripens it gives off a very unique scent (love or hate it!). The fruit will reach four to seven centimeters in diameter and has a bitter, astringent taste.

Noni is often called the “starvation fruit” because it was traditionally eaten during prolonged famines. Even the seeds from the fruit are edible when roasted, and the fruit is a staple of many different cultures where it’s eaten raw, cooked, salted, and even served with curry.

The noni fruit has been used for ages to treat many different medical conditions such as:

  • fever
  • eye infections
  • bacterial infections
  • conditions of the skin
  • gum and throat illnesses
  • constipation
  • gastrointestinal problems
  • breathing difficulties

Many cultures use the fruit to help with colic in their babies, coughs in their children, and even nausea.

Noni Juice

While not everyone can grow their own noni fruit, everyone can indulge in noni juice and noni extracts! There are currently more than 300 companies that produce various noni products, so there’s no shortage of noni no matter where you live!

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Thai Mangosteen for Health & Healing

May 15th, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in Superfoods

Mangosteen is one of the most raved about superfoods on the planet, but if you haven’t heard about it yet - don’t worry! You’re about to learn all about this funny little Thai fruit that’s known to reverse aging, ward off illness, and fight diseases of all kinds!mangosteen Thai Mangosteen for Health & Healing

Mangosteen fruits grow on tropical, evergreen trees that originated in the Moluccas and the Saduna Islands. The actual tree will grow as tall as 25 meters and produces hundreds of tough-skinned, deep-purple fruits.

The fruit, when fully ripe, is usually about the size of a small orange. The outside peel is thick and dry, and the inside (which is what you eat) is white in color and has four to eight segments that look somewhat similar to a mandarin orange but with a sweet, soft, and floral flavor.

Benefits of the Mangosteen Fruit and Juice

Mangosteen is extremely popular because not only does it boost your immune system and make your skin glow - it also tastes great! These days, the best Mangosteens come from Thailand where it has been dubbed “The Queen of Fruits.”

You generally are not going to find mangosteens at your local supermarket unless you live in Asia. Mangosteens are cultivated in the following countries:

  • Thailand
  • Australia
  • Singapore
  • Malaysia
  • Vietnam
  • Indonesia
  • India
  • Burma
  • Colombia
  • Philippines

If you cannot find the fruit, you can easily find mangosteen juice or mangosteen extract in health food stores or online. It is now available as a powder, canned, frozen, and bottled. Many people consume mangosteen juice as a means of disease prevention, detoxification, and to treat specific ailments like skin conditions.

In recent years, thousands of kilos of mangosteen and mangosteen products have been exported all over the world as people learn of this little fruit’s powerful healing properties.

The whole fruit is sometimes offered in restaurants (in Western countries) as a delicacy, but because it can retail for as much as $45 a pound, most Western consumers opt instead for extracts and powdered products which seem to be just as effective and much more affordable.

Mangosteen is often referred to as one of the “fruits of the future” for its potential positive affects on the human body. While there is still limited scientific data to support many of the claims, many people have found that it is a great addition to their health care regimen.

If you are attempting to lead a healthy life, mangosteen juice is a great food to include in your diet.

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Juice Fasting: When Water Fasting Isn’t For You

May 15th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Fasting

Many people have tried water fasting, but after two juice-fasting Juice Fasting: When Water Fasting Isnt For Youor three days, they feel awful with headaches, dizziness, and even nausea. Has this happened to you?

Keep in mind that water fasting is quite aggressive; and while it’s an amazing way to cleanse your body, it’s not for everyone! Many times, your body has too many toxins to begin with, and fasting on water alone releases those toxins too quickly making you feel like crap!

A Great Alternative to Water Fasting

Some people think that juice fasting is a way to cheat through the fasting process, but this isn’t accurate. Juice fasting can be just as effective as water fasting, and for many people, it’s a lot more fun!

Understanding Juice Fasting

Juice fasting is basically a modern take on fasting and is now the “the detox diet” of choice for thousands of people. How it works is simple: you consume only fruit and vegetable juices for a specific period of time. Three, five, seven, and even ten day juice fasts are all very common.

Fresh juice is unique in that it provides the body with loads of nutrients and enough calories to function normally, but it’s also extremely easy to digest so the body is left with a surplus of energy it can use to eliminate toxic waste.

When you look into juice fasting, you will find that there are a lot of different options. There are complete at-home kits available that provide everything you need, including:

  • organic juice
  • natural supplements
  • support services

Many people use these kits during their first couple fasts, but others choose to do it completely on their own. The idea is to do what’s easiest and most-convenient for you!

Juice fasting will vary in duration depending on the goal of the fast and how often the person does it. When you are preparing for your first fast, you should cut down or eliminate things like:

  • alcohol
  • caffeine
  • nicotine
  • sugar
  • dairy products
  • meat
  • fish
  • eggs
  • wheat

This will leave you with foods like organic fruits, beans, and vegetables, all of which are great pre-fast foods that will make your detoxification process more effective and easier!

During the fast, people usually consume between 32 and 64 ounces of juice every day. The juice is not consumed fast; rather you should sip it slowly to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

The suggested juices include celery, carrot, apple, spinach, cranberry, pineapple, cabbage, beet, and greens. Citrus juices are generally not a part of a juice fasting with the exception of lemon juice. Fresh juice is best, but bottled juices can be used in a pinch, particularly those that are all-natural, organic, and additive-free.

Juice fasting has an extremely high success rate and most people finish feeling light, energized, and happy. When you rid your body of unwanted waste, it’s only natural that you’ll feel better. So give juice fasting a try, and put it to the test!

Juice fast, detox easily, and feel great today!

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Fasting: Nature’s Weight Loss & Detoxification Secret

May 14th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Fasting

When you hear that someone you know is fasting, do you imagine agonizing hunger pangs? Dizziness? Fatigue? If so, you really need to learn what fasting is all about because when it’s done right, fasting can actually be an enjoyable experience!woman_weight-loss Fasting: Nature’s Weight Loss & Detoxification Secret

People fast for a variety of reasons, and more people are getting in on this phenomenon because the health benefits are almost immediate. If you are looking for a straight forward way to cleanse your body and boost your energy, then fasting might be a good way for you to do it.

People are amazed at how great they feel afterwards, and often, people who fast do so at least once, twice, or even four times each year as part of their commitment to health.

Fasting Basics

Not quite sure what fasting is? Let’s make it really simple. The idea is to abstain from food or specific foods for a certain period of time.

During this time, you will consume only water (or some other liquid such as fresh juice) so that your body stays healthy and can eliminate toxins quickly. Fasting is quite healthy and natural because it allows your body to clean itself out.

Many people don’t think that they can survive on just liquids, but did you know that the human body can go for more than 40 days on water alone without suffering any deficiencies?

Our bodies are amazing and they are designed to withstand regular periods of famine. Fasters would argue that when we go through the process of fasting, we allow our bodies to function as they would in nature: with times of feast (ah… Christmas dinner), and times of famine.

The process of fasting allows for your body to stop putting so much energy into the digestion process so it can work on cleansing the toxins out of the body.

Some of these toxins have been accumulating in our bodies since birth, and every day we are putting more of them in our bodies through the food that we eat. Here are common toxins in the body:

  • Mercury
  • Lead
  • Pesticides
  • Preservatives
  • Chemical Pollutants
  • Artificial Flavors

The fasting process is different for everyone. Often times, the first and second days are a bit rougher than the others because there will be many toxins that are entering the bloodstream and pushed out of the body through your sweat, urine, and breath.

On the third day of a fast, most people lose the desire to eat, and the rest of the process is relatively simple. Many people find that their stress levels decrease, headaches go away, joints start feeling better, and the muscle aches and pains are non-existent.

When you are fasting, you will need to spend a lot of time resting. Again, you want to conserve your energy so your body can use that energy to clean itself.

Fasting is done by different people for different reasons. Some people simply want to feel better, others do it as part of their religious beliefs, and others still do it because a doctor has advised that it may be a good idea. The process is unbelievably effective for people of all ages with all sorts of different medical and health problems. So give it a try, and put the power of fasting to work for you!

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Detoxify Your Body Naturally: A Whole New You!

May 14th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Detox

Each year, many of us do “spring cleaning” in our homes to get rid of the junk that has collected over the months, so why not do the same for your body?scale Detoxify Your Body Naturally: A Whole New You!

Detoxifying your body naturally is very much like cleaning your home; you are getting rid of the waste while cleaning and organizing so you are prepared for the future! If we don’t detoxify our bodies, it’s very common to suffer “toxic symptoms” such as:

  • Weight Gain
  • Low Energy Levels
  • Depression
  • Degenerative Illnesses

With this in mind, detoxifying your body is an extremely important process, and the great thing is that everyone can start doing it right away

Detoxifying Your Body

Detoxifying your body doesn’t have to be a harsh process that leaves you hungry and exhausted. Many people think that to detox they have to go through some bizarre procedure that makes them uncomfortable just to think about it—but this just isn’t the case!

There are many ways to detox and you just have to choose the method that works best for you!

Water Fasting

One simple way to go about detoxifying your body is through water fasting. As you might guess, water fasting is the process of consuming only water for a set period of time. This allows your body to stop working so hard on digestion (normally this consumes about 40% of your energy) and instead focus all of its energy on removing toxins from the body.

The easiest way to do a water fast is for 24 hours, but some people will go as long as three, seven, or even fourteen days! Of course, you need to be aware that your energy level is going to drop significantly when you’re not eating, so most people find this method of detoxifying is best done on weekends when they have fewer responsibilities.

Please note: Water fasting is a very aggressive form of detoxification and should only be done with proper supervisions from a health care professional.

Juice Fasting

Another way to go about detoxifying your body is through a juice fast. Juice fasting is much like water fasting, only instead of just water, you consume only high-quality, fresh juices such as: apple, cabbage, pineapple, carrot, and spinach juice.

This is a great way to fast because you are giving your body the break it needs, but the juice provides enough nutrients and calories so that you can go about your daily business without feeling exhausted or drained. In this way, juice fasting is extremely safe and easy!

Change Your Habits!

Aside from fasting, there are many ways to start detoxifying your body right now! You can start small by limiting the toxins that you eat such as sugar and caffeine—and you can try to eat less fat and cholesterol!

Many times, when you experience the immediate benefits of healthy food choices, you’ll want to take it one step further and try something like water or juice fasting, colon cleansing, or a liver flush!

There are so many options out there, so if you feel like you could benefit from detoxifying your body, you should spend some time researching to see which option is best for you. Also, be sure to ask your friends and family members if they’ve ever tried a detoxification program because you’ll likely get some great ideas and maybe you’ll even find a “detox buddy!”

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