Portabello-Tofu Stir-Fry

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Marinade Ingredients:
2 Portabello Mushrooms, stemmed
1/4 C Firm Tofu
1 T Sesame Oil
1 t Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
1 t Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 t Minced Ginger Root
pinch Crushed Red Pepper

Stir-Fry Ingredients:
Sesame Oil, enough to coat pan
1 T Minced Ginger Root
1 t Minced Garlic
1 T Broccoli Florets
1 T Sliced Water Chestnuts
4 ears Baby Corn
1 T Bamboo Shoots
1 T Red Bell Pepper, sliced or julienned
1 t Carrot, julienned
to taste Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
2 T Bean Sprouts

Directions for Marinating the Portabellos & Tofu

• Combine sesame oil, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, fresh ginger and crushed red pepper to make a marinade for portabellos and tofu.


• Marinate mushrooms and tofu separately for about 15 minutes, then drain excess marinade.

Stir-Frying & Seasoning the Vegetables:

• Pre-heat wok or sauté pan; add enough sesame oil to coat.


• When oil begins to smoke, sauté fresh ginger until it begins to brown; add garlic and continue to sauté until garlic just begins to brown.


• Add all veggies (except for bean sprouts) and sauté until broccoli begins to soften, then add tofu and mushrooms.


• Season with lite soy sauce or Bragg's Liquid Aminos. (If you want more ginger flavor, the taste can be adjusted by adding more sautéed fresh ginger or ground dry ginger).


• Add bean sprouts just before removing from heat so they stay nice and crisp.


• Plate and serve.

Between "No Longer" & "Not Yet"

@RedMountainSpa
By Life Coach Cindy Clemens

Recently I listened to a CD of Joan Borysenko’s in which she was describing being “between no longer and not yet” to describe how it feels when we leave behind what is not working in our lives and are waiting for a new path or goal to materialize. This really resonated with me. I have been there, and I know it can be a challenging, frustrating and even dark time. Although we may be tempted to turn around and go back to "no longer," that is not really even an option. If we try and go back, it will feel as if we are putting on clothes that no longer fit. The poor fit will be an obvious and constant reminder that we need to move forward. The challenge is to accept our time in the space between "no longer" and "not yet" and allow the next chapter of life to unfold. Here is what I have learned about making it through these life layovers.

First, it does help to acknowledge that you are in this space – one foot out of your old life and not clear about how the new life will look and feel. Just being able to say – “I am between no longer and not yet” reminds you that you are progressing toward a destination. You’ve had the courage to identify what needs to change and are committed to creating a life that better serves you. It also allows you to voice what you are experiencing and share it with others. You will be surprised how much other people will understand and have their own stories about this unsettling but critical time in life. Knowing you are not alone and hearing how this phase is a normal part of the growth process allows you to relax, take a deep breath, and know this too shall pass.

Second, keep a record of your “ah-ha” moments that led you to decide you needed to make a change and explore new life options. You can do this in a journal, notebook or computer file. Review these memories when you are feeling weak, confused and tempted to go back to no longer. They will speak to your heart and reconnect you with your wise, inner voice.

Finally, try and remember to enjoy all aspects of the journey, even the times that feel unsettling. When I was first building my coaching practice, I had quite a bit of free time. Friends would call for an impromptu hike or to play golf and I had the time and could say yes. My judgment committee tried to tell me I did not deserve to play if my business was not yet fully developed. I remember telling myself to stop listening to that nonsense, that there would come a time when my work would be plenty full and I would long for time to be able to play with my friends. I reminded myself to enjoy this early phase of building my business. Now that I am quite a bit busier and often have to decline my friends’ invitations, I chuckle and am glad I did enjoy those times when I could say yes to them. Every phase of life can be savored if we learn to trust that we are exactly where we are supposed to be. And, sometimes we are supposed to be between "no longer" and "not yet!"

Brûlé Banana Split

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Banana Split Ingredients:
½ Banana
1 t Brown Sugar
1 T Fresh Berries
1 T Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
1 T Fruit Sorbet
1 T Chocolate Sauce
1 T Agave Caramel Sauce
1 T Raspberry-Pomegranate Coulis (recipe below)

Raspberry-Pomegranate Coulis Ingredients:
6 T Raspberries, frozen
1 T Pomegranate Juice
1 T Fructose

Banana Split Directions:

• Peel and quarter banana lengthwise; coat with brown sugar and caramelize with a torch.


• Put two banana quarters in bowl; top with 1 TABLESPOON each vanilla bean ice cream and fruit sorbet.


• Sprinkle with fresh berries, drizzle with agave caramel, raspberry-pomegranate and chocolate sauces.

Raspberry-Pomegranate Coulis Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pot.


• Simmer over low medium heat until all the raspberries are broken down.


• Puree and strain.

Detox the Red Mountain Way

@RedMountainSpa
By Dr. Brad Crump, Health Services Manager

There is a dramatic and powerful connection between your mind and body, and between your body and your mind. For this reason, I feel it is important to discuss the benefits of a proper detoxification program as a way to improve not just our physical health but also our emotional wellness.

The role of detoxification in reducing stress and other emotional issues is most effective if we understand the basics of detoxification, which is the process of eliminating foreign substances found in the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. Without a properly functioning detoxification system (mainly the liver and intestinal track), these unwanted substances (ex. heavy metals) remain “stored” in our tissues such as our body fat and even our brains.

The storage of toxins can often result in many symptoms of emotional distress that according to leading physicians such as Dr. Mark Hyman are classified as “Broken Brains” when in reality they are symptoms of a “Broken Body.” These signs and symptoms are seen as depression, anxiety, stress, mood swings and memory issues, learning disabilities and Autism and ADHD in children.

A healthy detoxification program includes the following for at least thirty days:

• Eliminate refined and processed foods such as packaged foods and foods high in sugar.


• Remove from the diet foods considered inflammatory and allergenic such as gluten containing grains i.e. wheat, barley and rye.


• Eat anti-oxidant rich foods such as colorful fruits and vegetable.


• Eliminate dairy.


• Eat only small, cold water fish like salmon and sardines and avoid tuna and swordfish and other large fish due to their heavy metal levels.


• Supplement with high grade multi-vitamin.


• Consider supplementing with a medical food designed for supporting detoxification.

Fire Grilled Free Range Chicken with Wilcox Peach Relish

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
4-4 oz. Boneless, skinless chicken breast (preferably organic, free-range)
1 C Achiote orange marinade (see recipe)
4 T Diced fresh peach
4 t Diced red pepper
4 t Red minced onion
1 t Fresh cilantro or basil, rinsed and chopped
1/2 t Raspberry vinegar

Achiote Orange Marinade
1 T Achiote (annato) paste
1/2 C + 2 T Orange juice
3 T Fresh lime juice
2 T Olive oil

Directions:

• Combine all marinade ingredients in a large bowl.


• Add chicken and marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour.


• In a small bowl, combine peaches, red peppers, cilantro, red onions and raspberry vinegar; refrigerate until needed.


• Pre-heat grill, drain excess marinade from chicken and grill until done.


• Set aside to rest.


• Pre-heat saute' pan, spray lightly with cooking spray or olive oil and when the pan just begins to smoke, saute the peach relish for approximately 1 minute.


• Serve chicken with relish spooned on top.

Yield: 4 servings (about 4 2/3 oz.each)

Heart Healthy Recipe - Bran Muffins

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
6 tsp. Fructose
7 tsp. Brown Sugar, unpacked
1 3/4 Tbsp. Canola Oil
1 tsp. Honey
3 Tbsp. Applesauce, unsweetened
1 1/2 oz. Raisins
2 1/2 Tbsp. Whole Eggs
4 1/2 fl. oz. Wheat Bran
3 1/2 Tbsp. Fat-free Buttermilk
4 1/2 Tbsp. Bread Flour
1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

Directions:

• Cream together Fructose, Brown Sugar and Canola Oil. Make sure there are no sugar lumps.


• To this mixture, add in Honey, Applesauce, Raisins and Eggs. Mix well.


• Add Wheat Bran, mixing well.


• Add Flour, Salt, Baking Powder, Baking Soda and Buttermilk. Mix well.


• Using a 1 oz. scoop, fill muffin pans and bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until the muffins are fully baked.

Sunsoul Advanced Sun Protection, Sun Make-Up & After Sun Collection

@RedMountainspa
By Myrna Beardshear
Director of Spa & Wellness

This collection of retail products feature formulations exclusive to [comfort zone] and include some of the most innovative ingredients to boost sunscreen performance and add powerful anti-aging benefits. These include:

ARGAN OIL: Revered by Berber woman as the “Oil of Beauty”, Argan oil contains essential fatty acids and natural vitamin E to nourish and protect the skin against the damaging action of free radicals. The leaves of the Argan tree contain polyphenols that provide anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits

PHYTONYL: A polysaccharide that ‘quenches’ or absorbs the suns energy to prevent photo-aging and to protect the skin’s immune system. This ingredient also diminishes wrinkles during sun exposure.

NARCISSUS BULB EXTRACT: Used in the after sun products, this ingredient prolongs cellular maturation, extending the biological lifespan of the skin cell, notably improving skin elasticity and tone, and greatly diminishing wrinkle depth.

Each purchase of [comfort zone] sun soul products benefits the Arganine project, a women's project for the collection and commercialization of Argan oil a key ingredient in all sun soul products from the forests of morocco .

Argan oil is traditionally used by Berber women as an ancient beauty secret because of its high quantities of essential fatty acids, such as omega 3.
Because of socio-economic changes in morocco, and soil erosion, the Argan forests are at risk.

[comfort zone] has partnered with the Arganine project to protect these forests each year 10 argan trees are planted for each woman working in the project.

Protect Your Skin in the Winter

By Myrna Beardshear
@RedMountainSpa
Director of Spa & Wellness

Wind, cold and indoor heating during the winter can leave skin feeling parched, tight, dry and flaky. Allowing skin to become severely dry means it is less effective at providing a barrier against infection and can split and bleed, creating a greater chance for an infection.

Dry, itchy skin can be prevented with a few simple changes to a skin care routine.

Long, hot showers may make you feel warmer, but as soon as you step out of the water, your skin begins to lose moisture because hot water removes natural oil from the skin, leaving it dry and itchy. Bathe or shower in lukewarm (not hot) water and limit showers to five to ten minutes.

Within three minutes of stepping out of the shower or bath apply a cream, ointment or lotion to your damp skin. This helps to trap water in the upper skin layers and decreases dryness and itching. If you don’t want your skin to feel oily or greasy use a cream or lotion with a light texture.

Exfoliate two or three times a week to remove dry, flaky skin from the surface and allow moisturizer to penetrate better.

The most potent moisturizing treatments contain one or more of the following: botanical oils; antioxidant vitamins A,C, and E; seaweed or algae; and oxygen which helps carry nourishing agents to the skin. Vitamin-rich serums are especially effective for dry, mature facial skin. Their small molecular structure helps them penetrate the skin.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors switch to a thicker more occlusive moisturizer to prove extra protection from wind and cold. Snow can reflect more than 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, so be sure to always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply every two hours for maximum benefit. Don’t forget to protect your lips with a lip balm of at least an SPF 15 to prevent chapped lips.

After washing hands always put on hand cream to seal-in moisture.

Remember to drink enough water during the winter months. Like the earth, our bodies are comprised of 70% water. Just as preserving our world’s bodies of water is vital to the planet’s equilibrium, maintaining ideal hydration levels in the human body is one of the simplest ways to balance the entire organism, including the skin.

Here are two home care remedies for extremely dry skin:
Gentle yogurt and aloe cleanser:
2 T fresh plain yogurt
2 T aloe gel

Warm you hands under running water and then gently massage the mixture onto the skin. Remove with a clean washcloth and pat dry.

Follow with this healing mask:
Combine one tablespoon of honey and one teaspoon of wheat germ oil with a beaten egg yolk. Whip the mixture into two tablespoons of powdered milk or one tablespoon of fresh, whole milk. Apply to clean skin and leave on for 20 minutes. Remove gently with tepid water.

Fragrance & Travel

By Myrna Beardshear
@RedMountainSpa
Director of Spa & Wellness

Jet lag and other problems encountered while traveling and changing time zones can leave you feeling bad for days and missing out on enjoying your precious vacation days. Some of the problems that traveling can present are sleeping difficulties, being alert and focused in meetings and digestive problems. Nasal congestion and headaches are also common for travelers.

An aromatherapy treatment is known to help with these problems. A genuine aromatherapy treatment consisting of pressure point massage working over the autonomic nervous system helps to regulate the body systems and having an aromatherapy treatment before and after a trip is a great way to help your body adjust.

There are several aromatherapy treatments that you can do at home or in the comfort of your hotel room.

To help you sleep: Relax in a warm bath after adding a few drops of vetivert and chamomile essential oils. Soak and inhale the aroma.

Circulation and swollen ankles: Remember to drink lots of water on your flight, walk whenever possible, avoid caffeine and alcohol and exercise your feet and ankles while you are sitting. When you reach your destination blend some essential oils of citrus with juniper oil (a good diuretic) into a vegetable oil. Massage your feet and legs and lie down with your feet raised.

Headaches: Traveling with a small bottle of lavender essential oil is a wonderful way to treat headaches. I always travel with a small washcloth and when I have a headache a soak it in cold water and sprinkle a few drops of Lavender on it. Place on the forehead or the back of the neck and relax.

Nasal Congestion: Sprinkle a few drops of Eucalyptus oil on a tissue and inhale. The bonus is that Eucalyptus is an antibacterial agent and using it will probably help to fight off some of those awful bugs present in recirculated airplane air.

When you need to wake up and focus try a shower or bath with essential oils of rosemary before going to your meeting.

De-Frizz your Hair

@RedMountainSpa

Does the dry, winter air make your hair a frizzy mess? The natural recipe below from Healing Lifestyles is sure to give you beautiful locks.

Ingredients
• 1 ripe banana, peeled
• 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
• 1/2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions

• Mash banana very well with a fork or spoon. Add sunflower oil and lime juice. Mix until well-blended.


• Thirty minutes before your shower, massage the mixture into dry hair and scalp and comb through to distribute it evenly.


• After a half hour, shampoo out the mixture using a mild shampoo, rinse thoroughly, then enjoy your hair's healthy sheen.