Healthy Living Takes Center Stage at Troon Pacific’s Residence 2646

Situated on Union Street in San Francisco, California, is the city’s latest wellness-inspired, eco-friendly home, known simply as Residence 2646. This newly constructed residence is like few others, offering benefits to its occupants that have been otherwise ignored until recent times. When one procures a home, it is common place to put the aesthetic appeal above other elements that may affect the wellness of the buyer and their family. Troon Pacific built Residence 2646 in order to relieve you of these worrying issues, as the home offers numerous health oriented amenities including ventilation outlets, air filtration systems, Everpure water filtration system and shielded cables that limit the risk of Electro Magnetic Fields.

On the border between the Cow Hollow and Pacific Heights neighborhoods, this pre-certified LEED-platinum abode is expected to be the area’s most sustainably-built property. The house features four bedrooms, an office, a guest suite and an au pair suite, making it the ideal family home. One of the most spectacular aspects of the property, however, are the panoramic views which span across the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.

“Troon Pacific’s newest wellness-focused home, Residence 2646, is a sustainably-built, technologically-advanced home in San Francisco. The exceptional home was designed to enhance the buyer’s physical, mental and emotional health,” said Gregory Malin, CEO of Troon Pacific. “At Troon Pacific, we’re passionate about building in new and environmentally friendly ways. We achieved this at Residence 2646 by using advanced air filtration systems and by mitigating the use of “red-list” chemicals in the building materials and finishes. Troon Pacific also implements whole-house water filtration systems, open floorplans with an abundance of natural light, environmentally-friendly products and locally sourced materials.”

Once you set foot on Residence 2646’s gated entryway, you are immediately greeted by a finely landscaped walkway with trees overhead and lanterns positioned above in order to highlight the splendor of the home’s outer-facade. You walk straight from the street-level entrance to the home’s main level, which introduces you to ample open living areas with splendid views through a wall of sliding glass doors. Additional features of the main level are a commodious living room, dining room, marble encased powder room, family room and a gourmet kitchen alongside European White Oak hardwood floors and 10-foot ceilings. Residents can easily transverse from floor-to-floor with either the generously sized elevator or the glass-enclosed staircase. A massive operable skylight hangs at the center of the home, brightening the staircase as well as flooding every floor with natural light. Beautiful warm innovative interior design is another aspect at the heart of Troon Pacific homes, which garnered their design language from Malin’s late wife, Charlot, who was one of the most prolific interior designers in California.

The garden-level of the home truly embraces wellness to its fullest as it offers broad wellness functions such as a fitness center, a massage room, a spa with a glass-encased sauna and a steam shower. Furthermore, sliding glass doors open up to a simple yet tasteful hardwood deck that can also function as an outdoor yoga studio. An indoor/outdoor garden area on the first floor presents a full-service wet bar alongside custom cabinets, floating shelves, dishwasher and ice maker.

On the subject of how Residence 2646 is unique from other awe-inspiring projects. Troon Pacific CEO Greg Malin states, “We incorporated a large amount of steel into the home and created an open floorplan that is brought to life by glass walls and wood. Inspired by biophilic design principals, we also love to create an indoor/outdoor connection wherever possible. Achieving this amount of glass on the exterior is very unusual and takes a really good engineer. However, the result is panoramic, unobstructed views on each level and a true connection to nature. It’s one of the things we are proud of.”

The outdoor area behind the house is dual purposed, functioning as an addition to the residence’s wellness center. The vibrant plant life and towering trees integrate together to establish an enclosed sanctuary in the backyard, designed to allow relaxation in an aesthetically pleasing and wellness inducing environment. The backyard is truly an awe-inspiring part of the property as its outdoor entertainment space is defined by a sunken living room complete with a fire pit, radiant-heated seating and a built-in barbeque extension.

The residence’s lower level offers entertainment areas and living spaces that features a media room that has been pre-wired for surround sound, a thermal & humidity-controlled wine tasting room, a laundry room, a mudroom and an AV room designed for mechanical access. Aside from these entertainment spaces, the floor also has an additional guest bedroom with ensuite bathroom and a private entrance. The garage includes a catering area, a pet spa, a Tesla Power Wall and parking for three cars thanks to the addition of room beneath the garage floor that allows residents to conveniently lower a car for easy storage.

When asked about his favorite element in the entire house, Malin said: “It’s a difficult question… I love the main living level; the feeling of connectivity created by the open floorplan, the drama brought on by the stone accent wall, the unique powder room… those elements combined with the stunning entrance is probably what I love the most.”

The main level’s kitchen boasts a broad 30-foot sliding glass wall that opens up to a full-width terrace accompanied by an herb garden and glass guardrail that complements the 180-degree view of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Located at the center of the kitchen is an expansive Boffi island in the latest metallic finish together with waterfall stone edges and breakfast bar seating. The kitchen offers custom cabinets, stone slab countertops and an uninterrupted 20-foot window, which welcomes natural light to flow freely.

Malin walks us through how the innovative, wellness-focused technology is implemented throughout the home. “The house has one of the first Tesla Power Walls installed, which can also serve as a battery backup. We also install a below-grade air and water barrier, which is great for both environmental and wellness reasons. We do that as a precaution because in some cases there are unground streams running along the hillsides; you never know where all the water is being directed, so we are thoughtful. The barrier consists of about six to eight inches of drainage rock and perforated pipes. We actively ventilate those pipes to prevent air pathogens from entering the house. This technique is also used to protect from Radon exposure. We do this for every home because we believe a healthy life is the greatest luxury, and we want to ensure homeowners have the best possible air quality.”

The master bedroom, located on the fourth floor, boasts a custom wood-wrapped vestibule with a double-door entrance that takes you to dual walk-in closet. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by sliding glass doors that withdraw to a private terrace with outstanding views of both the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. The two-sided, transparent fireplace proposes a view straight into the opulent master bath, which includes a Boffi double vanity with mirror enclosed television, a glass-encased water closet, a freestanding bathtub and a shower with full-height glass window that allows for sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay. On the rest of the floor, three additional bedrooms are found with ensuite bathrooms that feature stone walls, countertops and wide stone tile floors.

Lastly, but certainly not least, is the home’s fifth floor, also referred to as the penthouse, which shelters a full bar and entertainment room. The floor includes a refrigerator, a sink and a Terzani ‘School of Light’ chandelier. Additional amenities are a private study with ensuite bathroom, an open-floorplan and a staircase leading up to a breathtaking rooftop deck presenting a fire pit, natural plants, glass guardrails, solar panels and magnificent 360-degree views of San Francisco.

The overflowing sustainability and wellness beneficial applications offer bountiful energy efficiency for the house. Troon Pacific added thermally insulated, double-pane windows and glass doors; ventilation outlets beneath the sinks, as well as in just about every closet and all the shoe cabinets; Energy Star appliances; solar panels; and 90-to-100% heated LED lighting floods throughout. It was of paramount importance to not only make the home fully functional, but also to put the well-being of its residents first and foremost. The following advanced-applications are what makes Residence 2646 a truly remarkable home: a MERV-13 air filtration systems that work to achieve a total air change every two-to-three hours; a grey water system that accumulates, purifies and recycles water for landscape irrigation; and a Everpure water filtration system all through the home. Furthermore, shielded cable was implemented in all bedrooms to diverge the potential risk of Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF).

“We installed a hidden whole-garden Sonance system,” says Malin. “There is an approximately 30-inch subwoofer buried underground with numerous satellite speakers, which gives a nice depth to the sound in the garden. When we were installing the system, we think the most important thing is that the music can just carry throughout the home to create a seamless experience. You can also program each speaker individually if you wanted.”

Additional innovative technological amenities at Residence 2646 include a Lutron HomeWorks lighting control system, a car charger and a Savant Smart Home automation system, which can be controlled from your iPhone, Android or home-installed iPads. This system performs fine-tuning of the home’s audio, visual, heating and security elements, such as cameras and alarms. When building Residence 2646, it was Troon Pacific’s mission to focus on materials and products that had the least if not any environmental impact. They chose to use products free of red-list chemicals, Declare label products with minimal emissions and a wide-range of extra eco-encouraging systems.

“I don’t like to describe Troon as a developer because I feel there is a negative connotation with that,” said Malin. “I really believe in what we do — we are investing in the communities we care about in a big way. And I hope one day people will look back at the effort and energy we put into the city and be inspired to create healthier, more sustainable homes as well.”

After Labor Day, Residence 2646 will officially be listed on the market for 34 million USD. For more information on the residence, visit: Residence2646.com

Also check out TroonPacific.com to learn more about Troon Pacific’s missions and their innovative and eco-friendly projects in store for the coming future.

On what Malin would like his company to be known for, he states: “as a company that cares as much about the quality and social responsibility of our work, as it does about its profits and business goals.” Malin adds, “I think that’s something not quite understood by many. The quality of these homes and what’s hidden in those walls… the little things that we did because we always strive to be thoughtful. We think it’s important to treat each home as if it’s our own.”

Image Credit: Mikiko Kikuyama

The Culinistas

Let’s face it; a job with demanding hours makes it hard to prepare healthy meals. So, Jill and Tiana of The Culinistas make it easy for residents of New York and The Hamptons: every week, a personal chef shops for you and stocks your fridge with delicious meals you select together from a handcrafted menu. They also help with dinner parties and events, from sit-down dinners to backyard BBQs.

The two founders hosted The Extravagant for some fun conversation, delicious and healthy treats and, of course, wine. Check out the video and some photos of the food below:

Photos and video by Emilie Genuard, words and editing by Erica Commisso.

Le Grand Spa in Gstaad is simply Spectacular

High within Switzerland’s ancient Alps, is Le Grand Spa located within the prestigious resort-town of Gstaad.  Le Grand Spa is set inside of the palatial 57 room Le Grand Bellevue hotel, which was founded in 1912, making the property one of the oldest resorts in the town.  The Hotel & Spa’s mission has never ceased to offer the finest experiences for complete wellness in body, mind and soul.

With the recent add on of several new areas, Le Grand Spa is now in excess of 2,800 square meters (30,000 square feet), making this spa one of the very largest & most opulent in the world.  Some of the recent add ons to the spa include two new relaxation areas as well as a private alpine suite, where couples are able to enjoy a private Rasul chamber, among other more common offerings.  Le Grand Spa gives guests the option to custom build rejuvenation programs to suit their own specific desires; whether that be de-stressing rituals, hot & cold therapy pools or yoga classes, their team will ensure that you leave this alpine retreat perfectly rejuvenated.

The entire motif of the spa is that of an updated swiss chalet, light colors and wood accents make for a spectacularly calming environment.  Highlight treatments include a Himalayan salt grotto, turkish steam bath, ice grotto, and Finnish & infrared saunas.  Overall the property offers a total of over ten treatment rooms for nearly 20 different wellness experiences.  Regardless of which treatments you select during your time at Le Grand Spa, we are sure that your time in this Alpine Spa will leave you refreshed & renewed.  And even if you decide to spend some time outside of the spa, you will be instantly captivated by the quaint town of Gstaad and the shopping, dining, wildlife, hiking and or skiing, which the locale has come to be known and loved for.

Hotel X Toronto is Set to Open This September

Toronto will be establishing their first urban resort in September 2017.  The upcoming resort Hotel X Toronto, will offer the inhabitants of downtown Toronto sports, dining, and entertainment services along with a wide range of amenities to choose from.  This new resort is going to be a place that allows guests to enjoy themselves wholeheartedly amid a tranquil yet exhilarating environment, giving the guests a true R&R experience like no other.

The resort’s culinary offerings will to be nothing short of incredible as it introduces seven dining concepts of which includes the Library Club Lounge (a private lounge exclusive to hotel guests only), the Pergerine SkyBar (a 10,000 square-foot, three-story rooftop bar and lounge), Petros 82 (a Mediterranean fine-dining restaurant), and a beer garden that surrounds one of the city’s historic landmarks: the Stanley Barracks fort.

Hotel X Toronto encompasses 406 rooms including 37 suites, all of which were designed by Andi Pepper Interior Design with a contemporary layout that assimilates dazzling bursts of color, paying homage to the rooms vibrant city views.  The accommodations also feature two imposing Presidential Suites, one of them boasts a double-height living room and fireplace, while the other features two bedrooms and incredible panoramic views of Lake Ontario.

Another new, astounding addition to the resort is its Ten X Toronto; a 90,000 square-foot health & wellness facility that showcases a full service spa with six treatment rooms, four indoor tennis courts with 50-foot high ceilings, nine squash courts, a physiotherapy and chiropractic clinic, an 82-foot long rooftop swimming pool, Pilates and hot-yoga studios, and a state-of-the-art health center.  Hotel X Toronto will offer many other sumptuous amenities like “The Pond” an indoor/outdoor rooftop pool and a 243-seat cinema.  Furthermore, the hotel will be hosting a perennial archaeological exhibition that focuses on the historical, 19th century Stanley Barracks as well as an art exhibition which unveils a gallery showcasing works by talented and creative minded, local artists.

For more information visit:  HotelXToronto.com

Guide to Exploring California’s Coast: Garrapata

Located just south of Carmel Highlands, the all-embracing Garrapata State Park is Big Sur’s northernmost park and has been acclaimed as a simply spectacular spot for nature enthusiasts, sightseers, and many others who seek out adventure to gather.  Garrapata was designated as the foggiest spot on Big Sur’s coastline; even at times when the other four Big Sur State Parks experienced clear weather, the skies over Garrapata often remained hidden behind a mystical fog.  Nevertheless, whether it be the foggy summer days enshrouding the mountain tops and curtaining the edges of the ocean in a shadowy blanket, or the few times with clear skies offering you an unhindered outlook over the breathtaking water views, all the while feeling the rays of sunlight rain down as you explore the far-reaching nature reserve, Garrapata remains a phenomenal destination to explore.

Garrapata is arguably the Big Sur jewel of State Parks as the large nature reserve allows visitors an array of activities to choose from, ranging from hiking trails to whale watching, or even taking a smooth drive through the park.  One of the most incredible aspects of the park is its high chaparral-covered hills that steeply ascends over a rocky coastline.  This climb let’s you stand above the clouds upon reaching the peak, though, even when the day shows clear skies it still offers a breathtaking, panoramic view that is well worth the strenuous journey.

On the west-side of Highway One, some of the park’s most popular trails lead through overgrown vegetation as well as poison oak-infested chaparral en route towards coves and rocky beaches.  Although Poison Oak can be troublesome when hiking, it is easy to keep your distance from, while following on the trails.  Additionally, the areas with higher elevation do not have any Poison Oak in the vicinity, giving hikers a worry-free climb.  To the east of Highway One is a lone trail loop that features ocean views, abrupt inclines, and a Redwood grove.  Besides the information board at the trailhead and a signpost at the first intersection, there are no other signs on any of the trails.  To keep the parks with an untouched feel, nineteen numbered turnout markers were placed discreetly along Highway One, taking you along to some of Big Sur’s leading hiking trails, a few of them being located throughout Garrapata.

• Rocky Ridge Trail: Across the highway from gate sign 7. Seven miles round trip. The trail climbs quickly 1,200 feet up Rocky Ridge and then descends, linking to the Soberanes Canyon Trail.  The Rocky Ridge Trail also features, at the tip of the hill, an outstanding overlook with a bench.
• Soberanes Canyon Trail: Across the highway from gate sign 8. Journey up Soberanes Creek through Redwoods and ferns.
• Soberanes Point Trail: Gates 8, 9, or 10. The trail loops around Soberanes Point. A side trail leads you to the apex of Whale Peak.
• Scenic Overlook: Pullout and bench at gate 17
• Garrapata Beach access trails: Gates 18 or 19.

Garrapata is the perfect destination to observe wildlife and sea creatures, migrating whales can even be spotted passing by the park’s shoreline during their winter migrations.  Occasionally on the weekends in January the Garrapata park staff lead whale watching tours.  Off the Lobos Rocks shoreline you can also observe sea lions converging at the water’s edge.  Sea otters are seen in their kelp beds frequently, and brown pelicans can be found roosting on high-up rocks, in fact a total of 110 species of birds have made the coastal woodlands their habitat.

Aside from just watching the flora and fauna, Garrapata is a perfect scene for photography as well as taking bike rides on the Rocky Ridge hiking trail.  Many of Garrapata State Park’s trails lead up lofty mountains, past redwoods, and border the rocky coast.  At the southern end of the park is a sublime sandy beach that allows you many fun beach activities, but excludes surfing because the harsh waves makes it nigh impossible to safely surf.  Each of the park’s trails are a simply unforgettable hiking experience, especially so if you go hiking with your friends or family.

If you plan to thoroughly explore Garrapata, park at turnouts 7-10, each of these spots grant close access to the Soberanes Point hiking trails.  For close coastal access to the beach, stop at turnouts 18-19, both are great points for those who are looking for some beach time fun.  These two parking areas off Highway One offer extensive parking space.  The center positioned parking lot (gate 18) is nearby several trails that lead down to the beach.  The southern parking lot (gate 19) is a good starting point, the left-side leads you down the stairs to the beach and the right-side trail continues to lead you along the bluff.

Click the following link to check out the trailhead location in Google Maps

For more information visit:  Garrapata State Park

Photography by: Marli Allard

Little Luxuries You Can Treat Yourself with Every Day

Although silk sheets don’t necessarily count as a relevant parameter of someone’s success, they sure speak volumes of the person’s can-dos… as does their bank balance and that trip to New Caledonia. Don’t you just love the fact that the days of I-can’t-afford-this are gone and you finally get to enjoy the glitz of life in (almost) all of its sparkle? It’s refreshing, isn’t it; not having to worry about anything except making sure you’re the best possible version of yourself? We simply love it!

Suffice (it) to say that a girl of your caliber deserves the best of everything, all the time. No, it’s not because you’ve been that gold-fed, lazy, I-want-it-now spoiled daddy’s princess from the get go… but quite the opposite – it’s because you’ve made it happen yourself, and this is your moment to celebrate it.

Assuming you’re still getting used to the “unbearable” easiness of life, we’ll lay out a few ideas that’ll definitely help you enjoy the fruits of your work and see the wonderful side of life… you’ll get used to it in a blink, we promise!

Luxury spa treatments

Regularly indulging in spa treatments is one of those fabulous things every girl should allow herself to enjoy; there’s nothing as relaxing as a weekly pampering session with your favorite masseuse and cosmetician. Just being there in the moment, with a glass of bubbly in one hand and Vogue or Marie Claire in the other, while a polite professional is doing your toenails is bliss. Or, lying on a massage table without a worry in the world… sure sounds like a perfect day in a week to have. Don’t you think?

Egyptian cotton sheets

Not that there was anything wrong with your former bedding, but investing in a set of Egyptian cotton sheets will take you to heaven! With their quality craftsmanship, breathable fabrics, polished look and amazing design – these sheets sure are a game-changer. Granted, once you buy them you’ll probably find it impossible to get out of bed, but some pleasures are simply worth being late.

Champagne Friday/Bloody Mary Sunday

Dressed in any of your favorite designer dresses, waiting for the girls to pop at your door and bring the finest Champagne to taste (hey, it’s not that we’ve got anything against tequila, but Champagne, after all, is the taste we’re after), you are once again ready to have a night of your life. Unlike those cheap outings from a few years back (okay, sure, those too did have their flair), this is the time to enjoy the finest queen-worthy quality alcohol and never again worry about the headaches the day after (we’ve all been there, it’s okay).

Saturdays are reserved for a brunch out with your parents or prospective clients, naturally. Often, these turn into a fun day of horse-riding, clay pigeon shooting, playing pool, a sudden limo road trip to the nearby city for what seem to be “the best pancakes in the state” … or whatever it is you feel like doing. Now, Sundays… Sundays are for your in-home Bloody Marys (we’ll take an extra shot of specially tailored vodka, please!), best friends, movies and chill. Delicious.

Fly first class

Once you go first class, you never go back. And that’s the only argument that you need. Oh, and – once you switch from coach to first, make sure you go to as many destinations as possible. Traveling will enrich your soul, broaden your horizons, introduce you to new cultures, and help you meet some amazing people out there – especially when you have the money to cash in for all the extras like five-star hotels, Safari tours, helicopter rides, etc. It’s a blessing, really.

Indulging in an at-home massage/facial/yoga class/whatever

Sometimes, the advantage of having resources to take proper care of yourself mean that, from time to time, you’ll allow yourself to be spoiled and lazy, guilt-free. And that’s fine. Organizing anything from an in-home yoga class, facials, massages, Henna tattooing with your girls, cooking classes, or anything else that you feel like doing is a blast! We encourage you to do it as often as possible.

Well, we’ve given you just a few ideas to think about – the rest is up to you. Whatever you do, program yourself to put your comfort first and enjoy all that you’ve been blessed with. Appreciation is the most important quality to nurture, don’t you ever forget it… yes, even when your diamond shoes blister.

Myontec MBody: The First Smart Shorts on the Market

It is no wonder that in the world where the majority of young people never separate from their smartphones, mobile apps and technological innovations cooperate to provide athletes with infinite performance-support possibilities. Wearable devices, which together with specially-designed applications, track, monitor and measure our bodily parameters are all the rage right now. And for a good reason – they offer plenty of information that helps professional and amateur athletes to boost their performance and follow their progress.

An example of such a device are Myontec’s MBody tech shorts. Those who want something more than a simple activity tracker should consider investing in this piece of high tech. Myontec is recognized for MBody Pro, a line of wearables designed for professional athletes that monitor all the essential metrics which are related to particular sports. Their smart shorts include integrated textile sensors whose job is to monitor four major muscle groups (the quadriceps and hamstrings in both legs). They’re made of a special, UV-resistant elastic fabric that prevents fatigue by offering compression for muscle support and guarantees comfort thanks to the featured flat seam construction.

What do Myontec MBody shorts do? They monitor muscle balance (left/right and front/back), load, and ratio, as well as heart rate and cadence. All this data is fed to a special app, which users need to download on their mobile devices. The app then calculates the number of burned calories, together with the user’s speed and route – helping them to analyze their workout and improve it. The shorts offer real-time sports performance statistics that are relevant to any kind of sport.

Apart from muscle overload analysis, the smart wearable offers a range of training readiness options that are based on warm-up monitoring, sophisticated fatigue monitoring functionalities from the attached EMG, recovery & relaxation monitoring, technique feedback that aims to boost individual efficiency and balance, as well as a wide scope of analyses that help to prevent imbalance and injury.

What do athletes gain with MBody shorts? MBody tech gear collects and analyzes data in the training environment – and that’s a new way to monitor muscular performance. Feedback from the device shows what exactly is happening with muscles during training, how they behave under different conditions, and where the majority of muscle injuries occur.

All that real-time and post exercise analysis helps users to measure and analyze their performance with technique optimization in mind. Users can also gain a better control over the recovery process and detect problems in the muscular system (for instance, imbalances or deviations) before they begin to affect their performance.

Myontec sensor technology offers a complete performance analysis that brings plenty of value to training and coaching. The associated app allows users to see figures from past sessions and check their progress. They also gain access to the cloud-based Movescount service, where they can create training programs, maintain a training diary, and connect with other members of the MBody community.

While there are many wearables in 2017 that you should look forward to, if you are a sport-enthusiast, investing in Myontec MBody shorts may be the smartest move. Spoil yourself with this piece of super-luxurious yet super-practical equipment. The complete MBody setup is available now for €820 (about US$920).

Guide to Exploring California’s Coast: Point Lobos

The Point Lobos state reserve is often credited as “the greatest meeting of land and sea in the world” as well as the “crown jewel of the state park system.” With that said, it is unlikely that the park will offer anything less then prime areas for a healthy hike and brilliant wildlife spotting along the backdrop of the Central California’s jagged coast line.  Offering a tale into the whaling industry of the past with a quaint small museum, whale watching is often plentiful (gray whales December-April), in addition to otters and rare species of birds make for a true haven for the nature enthusiast.

Located at the northern end of Big Sur, just five hours north of L.A. and two hours south of San Francisco, Point Lobos is also just a hop, skip, and a jump away from world renowned Pebble Beach and the resort towns of the Monterey Peninsula.  The landscape at Point Lobos offers rocky cliffs, which seamlessly blend into lush forests, wildflower patches, and awe inspiring canyons located along the park’s countless beaches.  For the avid outdoorsman there lay plentiful options whether you enjoy diving to explore coves, swimming in the brisk pacific ocean amongst otters, hike, and or kayak around the reserve to capture the natural beauty by both sea and land.

Wildlife spotting is ideal, the park is home to many unique species including elephant seals, sea lions, orcas, sea otters, coyotes, mountain lions, and gray foxes.  The park is also a garden of eden for birds; which include species ranging from the the darker eyed junco to the massive brown pelican.

With activities for everyone, Point Lobos proves to be a necessary stop when visiting California’s coast.  From sweet smelling flowers to the exotic fauna, the magical destination never offers a dull moment or a more exciting experience for nature enthusiasts, alpinists, and conservationists alike.  In order to enjoy the breathtaking scenery to its utmost potential, visitors should check up on the weather, bring along water and or food if a picnic is part of your day plan, wear comfortable clothing, take a “map” if it is your first time visiting Point Lobos, and a camera to capture your unforgettable experience along with the awe-inspiring emblematic setting.

For more information visit:  PointLobos.org

Photography by: Marli Allard

Lavish New Health Club & Spa Opens In London

An extremely luxurious London Health Club opened in early March of this year, offering the inhabitants of London relief with first-rate treatments & services in a tranquil, easy-going environment.  Appropriately positioned in the five-star Lanesborough property, the “Lanesborough Club & Spa” prevails as a luxuriant fitness, health and recovery sanctuary granted exclusively to hotel guests and club members alike.  The health club was designed by London-based firm 1508, and accomodates 18,000 square-feet of space which introduces a restaurant, spa, and an extensive fitness facility.

The fitness facility is provided with the latest in cutting edge equipment such as treadmills, stationary bicycles, boxing gear & equipment, free weights, rowing machines, and more.  Health club patrons can join in daily calisthenic classes which offer yoga and Pilate lessons led by a team of professional trainers that in addition to supervising one-on-one exercise classes, they also create personal workout schedules.  Lanesborough Club & Spa collaborated with health & wellness firm Bodyism to propose exceptional wellness consulting and specialized workout classes throughout the club.

Spa amenities include manicure & pedicure departments, a hydrotherapy pool, four individual therapeutic rooms, and a VIP treatment suite that harbors double showers. The health club also had british spa & skin care brand Ila create natural face serum, body creams, and candles for the spa, and has La Prairie developing message treatments. In addition, famed facialist Anastasia Achilleos will be managing the facial division, and personal spa butlers stay on standby to assist guests in booking reservations, ordering lunch, and any other request that is needed of them.

The club’s restaurant offers a nutritious and healthy menu consisting of anything from high-in-protein snacks & beverages to an appetizing tomato gazpacho with a tartare of green zebra tomato. Membership cost starts at around $7,500, and the first-class health and fitness facilities bring revitalization and serenity to guests with a time-honored British spin towards the entirety of the club.

For more information visit:  lanesboroughclubandspa.com

Best Ways to Increase Brain Health

We all have that one friend who remembers everything, down to the minutest of details. As annoying as it may seem at times, remembering and recalling things in detail, is one thing that we all want. Forgetting something or not recalling something can be frustrating and even alarming, as you age.

Initially it was believed that brain aging and subsequent memory loss was permanent. But now, new research has shown that dopamine can trigger the formation of new neurons in an adult brain. However, making new neurons does not mean that our brains stop aging. So the question that arises is, how can you keep your brain healthy as you age? There are a number of factors, besides aging, that affect brain health. These include:

• Chronic health conditions such as diabetes.

• A poor diet.

• Lack of exercise.

How to Keep Your Brain Healthy?

Your brain is the most important part of your body. It is the control center and keeps everything going in a regular pattern in your body. Let us see how we can improve our brain’s health and ace that test paper!

Regular Exercise

The importance of exercise can not be underestimated. We all know that exercise increases blood circulation and causes release of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters. Exercise keeps us fit, prevents a number of diseases and is a good way to refresh ourselves. But did you know that exercise causes release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor? This factor promotes neural health and benefits cognitive functions, such as learning.

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and greatly improves development and survival of neurons. To get the maximum benefits from your exercise, don’t stick to a regular exercise program. Keep on varying it, so that your brain is in the game!

Feed Your Brain

Did you know that 60% of your brain is composed of fats, out of which 25% is pure DHA? DHA is an Omega-3 fat and is found in breast milk, so it is no surprise that babies who are exclusively breast-fed have higher IQ levels. Omega-3 fats such as DHA are considered essential because they are not produced by the body, so you must get them from your diet.

Fatty fish such as anchovies, salmon, tuna and mackerel, fish oil and organ meat like liver, are all good sources of DHA. DHA provides structural support to the neurons and if it is inadequate, the neurons become stiff and prone to inflammation. This leads to improper cell-to-cell transmission and affects the brain functions. So, feed your brain to keep it going on!

Challenge Your Brain

Keep your brain active. If you stick to the same routine everyday, your brain becomes accustomed to it and gets in a monotonous state. To keep your brain active, you need to challenge it everyday. How do you do that? Change your routine every few days and give your brain something new to work on. Bring variation to your regular exercise pattern, learn a new language and try doing puzzles and brain games. Do things that you normally wouldn’t do! All of this challenges your brain and improves the circuitry within the brain, as well.

Be A Social Butterfly!

We are social animals and we need some kind of social interaction to keep our minds sharp. This becomes important, especially, later in life when aging takes a toll on our memory and other cognitive functions. Keep your minds sharp and active by having social interactions, meeting new people or meeting up with old friends. According to one study, older people who had less social interactions, had pronounced cognitive and physical limitations as compared to their socially active counterparts.

Relax and Listen to Music

We all know about the ‘Mozart effect’, which suggests that you can become smarter by listening to classical music! According to a research, listening to music, while exercising, has been linked to a boost in cognitive functions and verbal fluency skills. It has also been shown to improve mental focus. So indulge in a little music time and boost your brain health.

Get Your Zzzzzzzz

Just as your body needs sleep to recuperate from a day’s work, your brain needs the same. Sleep helps to reset your brain and helps in improving your memory and judgement. Stick to a regular sleep pattern and make sure you get a restful night’s sleep. Normally, 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is recommended. Taking a mid-day power nap of 15-20 minutes is also said to improve and restore brain power.

Do Volunteer Work!

According to research, doing volunteer work improves mental functioning and also reduces stress levels. It adds to a person’s well-being and promotes brain health!

Exercise, Eat Well and Challenge Your Brain Everyday to Keep It Sharp and Active!