Beyond the Tap: Hydrating with Food

It’s no secret that proper hydration is a key component of a healthy functioning body.  It keeps organs lubricated, energy levels stable, skin glowing, and hair healthy and strong.

The guideline most people associate with hydration is the “rule of eight,” or eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.  This of course varies depending on your gender, weight, sweat output, climate, health status, if your breast feeding or pregnant, if your name ends in a “Y”, if you were born in a leap year….

The point is, it’s different for everyone.

That is not to say the “rule of eight” isn’t a good guideline to follow, but for many people, tracking ounces, counting glasses and just remembering to drink, is easier said than done.  Before you know it, it’s 2 in the afternoon, and you’re still sitting with the cold remains of your first coffee.

And in case you were wondering, the catch-up and chug game is not nearly as beneficial as continuous water intake, and can actually flush vitamins and nutrients away before your body has had the chance to absorb them.

Another, and some say better way to give your body the fluids it needs, is to incorporate more hydrating foods into your diet.  According to Dr. Howard Murod, a leading expert on health and skin care and author of The Water Secret, “eating water” has many benefits and can actually keep you hydrated longer than simply drinking water.

Cucumbers, mixed greens, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, and raspberries are among the many fruits and vegetables that are composed of mostly water, with watermelon, strawberries, and tomatoes topping the charts at greater than 90% water make-up.  Unlike drinking water alone, fruits and veggies provide your body with additional and substantial vitamins and nutrients.  And if you’re in Missouri, you might recognize that most of these foods can be grown in your backyard!

Load your meals and snacks with luscious fruits and veggies and spend less time counting glasses.  Keep sliced veggies and fruits around at all times for an easily accessible snack/drink combo.

Stop chugging and start munching!  Hydrate with food throughout the day.   Your body will thank you!

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Want some more positive food knowledge?  Join us!

HALCYON DAYS PRESENTS:  VEGETARIAN LUNCH EDUCATION SERIES

& FARM TABLE 5-COURSE VEGETARIAN DINNERS

-FRIDAYS THIS FALL IN AUGUSTA, MO-

VEGETARIAN LUNCH EDUCATION SERIES 

Nourish your mind, body, and appetite with a seasonal and organic vegetarian lunch at Ebenezer UCC Fellowship Hall in Augusta, MO.  A special guest will join you at the table to share knowledge about health and wellness.  Limit 12 per meal.   Each Friday in October.  Noon to 1:30 PM. See schedule below for topics and prices.  Contact Halcyon Spa for reservations.

FARM TABLE 5-COURSE VEGETARIAN DINNERS 

Join Kathy Kessler, owner of Halcyon Spa, on Friday evenings for 5-course dinners featuring seasonal and local harvest, vegetarian cuisine.  Fabulous cooks Robin Gallaher and Kathy Kessler will mindfully create gourmet dinners with appetizer, soup, salad, entree and dessert served with Republic of Tea.  Each meal will be limited to 12 guests for one seating at 7:00 PM around a large table at the Ebenezer UCC Fellowship Hall.  Get your friends together or make it a date night, and experience the art of creating flavorful food with earth’s gifts of fruit, vegetables, grains, seeds and nuts. Gluten Free and Vegan optional.   Contact Halcyon Spa for reservations. ~$35

SCHEDULE FOR VEGETARIAN LUNCH EDUCATION SERIES

Friday, October 4, “Get Cultured!” with Kim Lebbing of Healthy Tummies: Learn the art of culturing your own vegetables!  Cultured vegetables have been treasured for their ability to support the immune system for thousands of years all over the world.  In this class you will learn the basics of cultured food and why it is an important addition to your diet.  Learn how to  make Kimchi, Pickled Cucumbers, Pickled Red Peppers, Pineapple Chutney, and Lemon-Gingerade.  In addition Kim will speak about the health benefits of cultured, fermented foods, broths and stocks for nutrition and heath of the gut.    ~$35

Friday, October 11, “Transformation.  Being Empowered to Make a Different Choice!”  with Kathy Kessler, PT, LMT, RYT-500 and owner of Halcyon Spa:   Listen to Kathy speak of how she went from being a carnivore, sugar addict, binge eater;  to eating more mindfully with a gluten free and a vegetarian lifestyle.  The tricks she has found to help her find balance in her life with exercise, a social life, running a business and practicing yoga.  Hear her heart felt  story about being diagnosed with Graves Disease and how is ended up being a blessing along her life’s journey; as she shares books, philosophies on health and wellness, and personal challenges.  ~$15

Friday, October 18, “Foundation of Supplements for Wellness” with Kristen Brokaw of OrthoMolecular: Learn the foundation of supplements for basic wellness as Kristen shares product knowledge, key ingredients, and words to look for when shopping for supplements.  She will explain the key purposes of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, pro-biotics, digestive enzymes and Omega 3, 6 & 9.  Kristen has been bringing her enthusiasm for nutrition to health practitioners for the last 7 years. As a representative for Ortho Molecular Products, her strength is making complex nutritional topics easy to understand and applicable to daily life. She knows the difficulties of maintaining your health in this busy world. Join her for a discussion on what constitutes Foundational Nutrition and demystify the confusion around supplements.   ~$15

Friday, October 25, “The Plan” with Robin Gallaher, The Fabulous Cook for Halcyon Days: Hear about Robin’s personal experience with The Plan diet, and exploring various food impacts on your body.  Robin will share recipes, tricks and her personal quest to find the right diet for herself in this inspirational story.  She is a natural in the kitchen, and loves searching for new recipes, and trying them out with friends and family, then making them her own with slight variations.   ~$15

Did you know only 57% of Americans take their allotted vacation days?

As a country we are known for our workaholism.  Whatever the title may be (employee, parent, boss, volunteer), we are constantly on the go and rarely take the opportunity to focus on ourselves.

The state of being “frazzled” has not only become the norm, but practically a desire.  We’ve convinced ourselves that frazzled equals productive.  If you aren’t stressed, you’re not doing enough.

Well it turns out that this frame of mind can be harmful to you, your job, and your relationships with others.  Maybe taking items off your plate does not seem possible right now, or maybe you’ve simply forgotten how to relax.  Not to worry.  There is a proven way to regain calmness, energy, and optimism.

GET…..A……WAY.  Plan a vacation!  Get out of town!  As often as possible!

This may not be a shocker to you.  You may chuckle and say, “easier said than done.”  You may be thinking that you just took that trip with the kids and your parents, or that you have that work conference coming up in January.  You may feel too guilty about even pondering the idea.  YOU, my friend, are especially who needs a vacation.

THE WHY

MIND: If you’re the type of person who thinks, I’ll relax some day when I retire, you may be interested to find out that like so many other functions of the mind, if you don’t use it, you lose it.  Psychologist Deborah Mulhern suggests that not taking time off can make it harder for our minds and bodies to relax now – and from now on.  Mulhern says, “The neural connections that produce feelings of calm and peacefulness become weaker, making it actually more difficult to shift into less-stressed modes.”

Another psychologist, Francine Lederer observes, “most people have better life perspective and are more motivated to achieve their goals after a vacation.”  Lederer calls the impact of vacations on mental health “profound.”  She also states that employees report feeling more creative after they’ve disconnected from work.

BODY: According to an article posted by The World of Psychology, vacations have been found to cut the risk of heart attack by 30% in men and 50% in women, improve sleep patterns, and reduce physical complaints of pain and discomfort.

Another study conducted by the U.S. Army and University of California determined that groups of workers who took a five day break from email experienced lasting more natural heart rates.  So even just “unplugging” alone can serve as a vacation for your body.

SPIRIT:  Psychology suggests removing yourself from your comforts and routine is one of the only times you are able to truly reflect on your life, appreciate your blessings, and consider changes you’d like to make.  Its during peaceful vacations that people often come to a better understanding of their beliefs and feel the most spiritual.

And in case you still feel guilty about leaving work and family behind, post-vacation is when people report they feel most connected to loved-ones, and employers report better job performance.  When you take a vacation for your mind, body and spirit, you will feel rejuvenated, recharged, and able to be a better you.

THE HOW

A vacation for your mind, body, and spirit doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate (in fact the less planning required the better).  It doesn’t even need to be far away.  It just has to be a break from your routine, a chance to unwind, regroup and take a step back to examine your life from a new place with a new perspective.

Offer to house-sit for friends or family going out of town.  Book a cabin for the weekend.  Stay at a local B&B for the night.  Spend a day in nature, alone.

The best part is, the effects of even a short getaway can last for weeks!  And on top of that, research has also shown that simply looking forward to a planned vacation can have the same positive effects of actually being on vacation.  So schedule a getaway for YOU today, and instantly begin soaking up some R&R.

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Halcyon Spa has created the ultimate vacation for mind, body, and spirit with the opening of

The Halcyon Spa B&B Guest Room.

The private and serene guest room is tucked behind the spa, providing guests with easy access to spa services, an opportunity to relax on our porch and gazebo, and the chance to take in the peaceful charm of Augusta, MO.   A stay includes a light snack upon arrival, complimentary use of the sauna and attendance to yoga classes, and breakfast of organic seasonal fresh fruit with oatmeal and yogurt delivered to your door.  The room features a king size bed, small kitchenette area with mini-fridge and Keurig, spacious bathroom with dual shower heads, and a patio off the room.  This is the perfect place to unwind, reflect, and rejuvenate.

The Halcyon Spa B&B Spa Guesthouse and Spa Studio are now taking reservations. Contact us today!