Tips & Advice | Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat

What Happens To Your Body One Hour After Drinking A Coke?

July 28, 2015/in Tips & Advice /by admin

Did you know over 1.8 billion (billion!) bottles of Coke are consumed around the world every day? No doubt you’ve had one recently and enjoyed the pleasurable effects of the short-term sugar rush. But did you know that one can of Coke (or Pepsi or any other cola product) has so much sugar in it, the only thing preventing your body from immediately rejecting it by vomiting is the phosphoric acid that’s also evident in it. (Incidentally, phosphoric acid is so acidic, it will dissolve a nail in about four days.)

With concerns of heart disease and diabetes on the rise, people are starting to rethink the types of liquids they consume. And then there are people like Niraj Naik, a pharmacist and UK blogger with the handle The Renegade Pharmacist, who’s recent studies have caused us all to be highly concerned about the negative effects of drinking cola. Naik recently created this infographic detailing the physical effects a Coke has on the body within the first hour of consumption. To say the findings are disturbing is an understatement. Thankfully, there’s always water! In our blog about Soda Versus Water, we talk about all the benefits H20 has on your body and your overall wellness. Cheers!

First 10 Minutes

10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (Which is 100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavour allowing you to keep it down.

20 Minutes

Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat. (There’s plenty of that at this particular moment.)

40 Minutes

Caffeine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and, as a response your liver dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked, thus preventing drowsiness.

45 Minutes

Your body ups your dopamine production stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain. This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.

60 Minutes

The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism. This is compounded by high doses of sugar, which increases the urinary excretion of calcium.

After 60 Minutes

The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (It makes you have to pee.) It is now assured that you’ll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolyes and water.

As the rave inside of you dies down you’ll start to have a sugar crash. You may becaome irritable and/or sluggish. You’ve also now, literally, peed away all the water that was in the Coke. But not before infusing it with valuable nutrients your body could have used for things like having the ability to hydrate your system or build strong bones and teeth.

But What About Diet Coke?

And in case you’re thinking Diet Coke is healthier for you, have a look at this other infographic below, also done by UK blogger Niraj Naik. Not only do you suffer the same affects as drinking a Coke, you also have the added negative impact of Aspartame — an artificial sweetener that’s essentially a poison for your entire digestive system.

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How To Care For Your Feet This Summer

July 13, 2015/in Tips & Advice /by admin

Any time of year is the best time of year for getting outside and having fun. But long days standing and walking can definitely take a toll on our feet. So whether you’re walking, dancing, hiking, or relaxing at the beach or cottage, make sure you’re taking good care of your foundation. Here are our recommendations for the perfect footwear to take with you and the best ways to pamper those tootsies.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR

HIKING

If fitness hiking or trekking are part of your activity plan, we definitely recommend light hikers. Unless you’re planning on crossing the Andes, in which case get a pair of proper mountaineering boots. Light-weight hikers provide ankle support but if your ankles are relatively strong, then we suggest a light hiker running shoe. Here are some more tips for finding and fitting the perfect hiking shoe.

WALKING

Your footwear will depend on the intensity of your walking, but typically a pair of good trainers should suffice. These differ from light hikers in that they are lighter but provide less ankle support.

DANCING

We know you absolutely love that pair of 6-inch stilettos. But before you plan to wear them all night long at that exotic night club, consider what they’re doing to your body. Wearing heels forces your ankles to bend forward, a movement that restricts circulation in your lower limbs. They also stiffen your Achilles’ tendons, put additional stress on the inner sides of your knees, and force your back to sway unnaturally. This process taxes your lumbar muscle, leaving you with a sore lower back. Save your spikes for that special night out and only walk around in them for no more than a few hours. Perhaps wear them to the nightclub and then change into comfortable flats or sandals.

RELAXING

While relaxing, your footwear could include anything from slippers to flip flops, sandals to bare feet. Obviously reserved for lounging poolside or at the beach or in your hotel room. We do not recommend going on a 5-km hike through town wearing flip flops. These types of footwear typically do not have any support so they should be reserved for relaxing activity. However, it’s still a good idea after spending a day in them, to enjoy a foot soak (see below).

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FOOT CARE

The first thing you want to do before you set about a whole day on your feet is to prepare your feet properly.

Pedicure

Remember to cut your toenails back, because if they’re too long they’re going to hammer against the end of your shoe. Make sure the corners of your nails are filed nicely so that your toes fit in your shoe, and when they’re continually moving for balance they don’t dig in and scrape each other.

Orthodics

Depending on the structure of your feet, you may also want to invest in orthotics, which will help counteract fallen arches, over-pronation, or excessive supination. Consult with your doctor before purchasing any orthotics as the wrong kind will end up doing more damage.

Blister Care and Prevention

Unless you run or hike regularly, chances are your feet are going to be negatively affected by a long march through a forest, on a beach, or through a city. And the last thing you want is painful blisters. If you’re planning a long walk or hike we recommend the first thing you do before putting on socks is apply Friar’s Balsam, or Tincture of Benzoin, to the heel of your foot. At Mountain Trek, that’s the colorful potion we dip Q-tips into and swab on the heels of your feet to anchor bandages on. You can find these at any pharmacy.

Our second recommendation is to use a tape called Mefix. Mefix is much thinner than MoleSkin and takes up barely any room in your shoe. We cut this tape to a 2 ½ inch length, round the corners so your sock doesn’t peel it off, and then stick that from the sole of your foot over your heel bone, working up the Achilles. Any friction that occurs as your foot goes up and down gets absorbed by the tape rather than your skin.

Another product to use is called Molefoam. It’s a fuzzy foam pad that protects from pressure in our shoe. We cut little donuts and place them over bone spurs, bunions, callus points, and any place you’re worried about the pressure you normally feel in shoes.

In extreme cases, you might also want to invest in Lamb’s Wool. At Mountain Trek, we use this product for some guests that get blisters because their toes are overworking for balance. Simply weave the wool in between the toes so there’s something to alleviate friction and absorb moisture so the skin doesn’t get too soft and rub or peel off. Lamb’s wool can be purchased at your local pharmacy.

Soak Your Feet in Healing Salts

Finally, whether you’ve just gone on an all-day hike or have lounged on the beach with your feet in the sand, there’s nothing better than a foot soak at the end of the day. Fill a basin with hot water, add a teaspoon or two of Himalayan bath salts and then slowly immerse your feet. Better yet, fill an entire bathtub with water and a 1/4 cup of bath salts and immerse your whole body. Then all you have to do is relax, enjoy the warm sensation and let the salts go to work on your body.

These are just a few of the benefits of Himalayan bath salts:

Detoxifies the body by balancing systemic pH
Improves hydration by providing trace minerals
Improves the mineral status of the body
Reduces muscle cramps by improving minerals and hydration
Helps balance blood sugar
Supports hormone balance for everyone, no matter what hormonal issues you face
Helps balance blood pressure because it provides unrefined, mineral-rich salt in an ionic solution
Improves sleep by supporting blood sugar and hormone balance
Acts as a powerful antihistamine
Supports weight loss by balancing hormones and improving energy
Supports thyroid and adrenal function

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

10 Tips for a Healthy Family Getaway

July 13, 2015/in Tips & Advice /by admin

School’s out for the summer and many of us are planning vacations over the next two months that will see us visiting beaches, amusement parks, national monuments, resorts, cottages and other family members – all with the kids in tow. And while this is a wonderful time to connect with our immediate family, it can also be a difficult time to stay connected with our health and wellness regime. After all, how many of us return from vacation a few pounds heavier? Or find it difficult to get back on our exercise program after a family getaway?

Luckily there are easy ways to enjoy healthy family getaways without sacrificing fun. Here are 10 tips to help make your vacation more active and healthy:

1. Start Rested

Try finishing all your packing and arrangements the day before your departure. This may seem difficult but it will be worth it as it lets all of you take a deep breath before the trip begins. Much of what we blame on jet lag or an airport hassles stems from the stress of having been up half the night tending to last-minute details. Make a list. Make it easy for yourself to keep track of all the things you’ll need including essentials to keep your family healthy.

2. Lead Them to the Water

Whether it’s the ocean, a lake, a river or a pool, you can’t really go wrong when there’s water around. These locales are always rife with fun, calorie-burning activities for young and old alike, such as swimming, stand up paddle boarding, body surfing, and kayaking. Instead of lying on the beach or shoreline sunning yourself, get in the water with your kids or join in a guided lesson.

3. Prepare for the Weather

Aside from the items in the above packing list, consider renting an umbrella if you’re at the beach on a hot day and be sure to bring lots of water. Remember that kids are more prone to heat-related injuries because they tend to warm up 3 to 5 times faster than adults so it’s important to watch for signs of dehydration. Also, everyone in the family should wear UPF clothing if out in the sun for a prolonged period of time, especially when surfing or snorkeling.

4. Pack Healthy Snacks & Meals

Going on a road trip usually means your choice of eateries is limited to road-side fast food joints. Instead, pack a picnic lunch and stop at a rest area. You’ll eat better and your kids will have a place to run around and let off some steam. Click here for some suggestions for our Top 5 On-The-Go Snacks.

5. Plan Activities in Advance

Whether you’re traveling by car, plane, boat, or, even if you’re having a stay-cation at home, entertaining the troops can be challenging. Plan ahead to avoid the dreaded, “I’m bored!” and to keep the family active. Games like frisbee, soccer, tag, and bocce ball are fun for everyone. Alternatively, you can take a guided walking trip, rent bicycles, or take lessons of some kind, such as golf or tennis. A scavenger hunt is always a good idea. (See the next tip.)

6. Grocery Store Scavenger Hunt

As mentioned in point #4, a lot of vacation eateries tend to fall into the unhealthy fast food category. And no doubt the kids want to go there because many of them are fun. Here’s how to make shopping for groceries just as fun for everyone: give your kids a list of three healthy items they need to find in the store. Offer whoever’s fastest a treat like a new coloring book or something fun. Another fun idea is to send them into the store and tell them to find the weirdest food item they can and bring it back to you.

7. Rely on Resort Kids Programs

Headed to a resort or on a cruise? Instead of planning your own activities, take advantage of those offered by the resort you’re staying with. Many cruise lines and resorts have activities just for kids such as sports, games, arts & crafts, and more. Just drop the kids off in the morning and then you can dedicate the day to your own personal wellness by going for a spa treatment, a walk, or just sit by the pool with your favorite book.

8. Bring Friends

When it comes to fun, the more the merrier. Have one of your child’s friends join you on your family vacation and guaranteed they’ll be able to entertain themselves, leaving you more time for yourself. Better yet, travel with another family and then encourage all the adults to play along, too.

9. Eating Out? Eat Healthy

One of the most fun things about vacation is to try different eateries. While we recommend you enjoy more home-made meals than restaurant ones (see points #4 and #6) there are things you can order at food venues that are healthier than others. Here are a few guidelines:

Order dishes that are steamed, grilled, or broiled instead of fried or sauteéd.
Ask for whole-wheat bread for sandwiches. Better yet, avoid the bread basket entirely.
Order an item from the menu instead of partaking in the all-you-can-eat buffet
When choosing a beverage, stick to water, herbal tea or real lemonade, or unsweetened iced tea. Not only are these healthier options, but they’ll also save you money as beverages are what restaurants mark up the most.

10. Do the Unexpected

From whitewater rafting excursions to hip-hop dance classes – engage in new experiences and unleash your inner child. Your kids, your health, and your happiness will love you for it!

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

The Secrets for Perfect Work & Life Balance

July 13, 2015/in Tips & Advice /by admin

How many of us were taught by our parents, peers, or mentors that to enjoy a respectable and happy life we need to follow these steps:

Get good grades in school
Upon graduation enter into a lucrative career
Get married
Take out a mortgage and various loans to pay for the things we “need”
Have children
Work our butts off for 40 years
Retire and reap the rewards of our hard work

The thing is, there’s nothing wrong with that plan but nowhere does it touch on actually enjoying life until we reach retirement! We may enjoy financial security, but this type of driven-to-succeed lifestyle can also create excess stress, spiritual bankruptcy, severe health issues, and profound unhappiness. Essentially, this plan has us living life out of balance. We work hard, but we don’t work smart.

Mountain Trek’s Tips For Perfect Work & Life Balance

Make Health and Happiness Your Priority

It all starts with you! Realizing that you’re too stressed out, feeling unhealthy and unhappy is the first step. Now make a list of the things that are going to guide you towards health and happiness and make them the priority in your life. Envision the best You possible. Not the perfect You, but the best You. Make a list if that works for you.

Learn to Say No

“No” is the shortest sentence in any language and it’s also the most powerful. However, many of us have a difficult time with it, because we don’t want to disappoint but consider that you’re the most important person in your life and you don’t want to disappoint yourself. So if you’re too busy to take anything more on, just say, “No.” We’re not suggesting you be rude about it, but trust us, the first time politely say “No” to taking on a work project or a social engagement you’re not keen about, we guarantee you’ll feel a rush of excitement and relief.

Be Disciplined – Restrict Your Time

If you’re working 10 to 15 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week, how good is the work you’re doing? And how much time are you wasting? The more you restrict your time, the more focused and productive you’ll feel, and the less you’ll waste time on low-priority work. If you can only afford to spend one hour on a certain project, then only spend one hour on it— and move on, even if it isn’t perfect. Gradually you’ll see that you’re getting quality work done in less time. This means more time to focus on you – sleeping well, eating right, exercising more and spending time with your loved ones.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

There’s a reason the book that shares this title is so popular – it’s true! Stuff happens. To all of us. All the time. Roll with it. You’ve allowed yourself more time and spent less time working, as your priorities, but this week you find yourself slammed with projects again. It’s okay. It’s bound to happen. Things come up, things fall through. Don’t stress. Just keep your eye on your priorities and gradually you’ll get back on track.

Form New Habits

The key to forming healthy habits is to do them in baby steps. If you commit to three yoga classes a week, a pottery-making workshop, working two hours less a day, not skipping breakfast, and spending more time with your kids, it’s likely you’ll stress yourself out trying to make these a regular part of your routine. Allow yourself time. Focus on one thing at a time until it becomes a habit, like brushing your teeth before bed. It’s all we need to do, as each lifestyle change takes a lot of will power. After the new lifestyle balance priority becomes a habit, we move down our list. You won’t feel overwhelmed and the habits are more likely to stick.

Pay Attention to What’s Going on Inside You

The elements in life that require the most balance can be divided into two categories: internal and external. Too often people focus on the external more than the internal. Challenge yourself intellectually. Practice giving and receiving love. Find time to be alone. Meditate. Follow your heart. Be kind to yourself, because life is hard enough.

Spend Time in Nature

In Your Brain On Nature, Harvard physician Eva M. Selhub and naturopath Alan C. Logan explore the scientific discoveries related to the way in which nature immersion and deprivation can work for or against us in our pursuit of health and well-being. Simply put, spending time in nature is good for us. Hike, bike, swim, walk, paddle, ski, run – whatever you choose, get out in the great outdoors and play!

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia and featuring daily sunrise yoga and night-time restorative yoga, will help you unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress, anxiety, and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

Tricks to Managing Summer Temptation

June 15, 2015/in Tips & Advice /by admin

a glass of water with a cut lemon

It can be very difficult not to overindulge during the summer months when friends are inviting you to barbecues, ice cream treats are prevalent and you’d rather sip a cold beer or Chardonnay on the patio than a cleansing ginger tonic.

The good news is there is a way to enjoy all the deliciousness that the summer has to offer without gaining 15 pounds of excess weight and immeasurable guilt.

Simple, effective tricks to help you avoid overindulging

Enjoy fruits and salads

There’s nothing quite like the smell of a barbecue on a warm summer’s evening. But what we might forget is that aside from hot dogs and hamburgers on the barbecue, there are innumerable vegetables and fruits in season that are delicious when grilled. Try mixing kale with a bit of balsamic vinegar and oil and putting that on the BBQ – the resultant kale chips are delicious and incredible good for you. Alternatively, try pineapple slices. And there’s nothing more refreshing than a delicious salad using greens fresh from the farm to your plate.

Watch your alcohol intake

Cold bottles of beer and glasses of wine are ubiquitous during the summer months but remember these beverages are full of sugar (including hard alcohol) contributing to your fat cells and taxing your liver. Alcohol is also depressant and can add to feelings of stress and if you drink too close to bedtime it can interfere with a good night’s sleep. We’re not proposing complete abstinence but remember to drink lots of water and change up your beverage choices with homemade ginger tonic, which is extremely refreshing, or lemonade and iced tea (just avoid putting too much sugar in them).

Keep exercising

The best part about summer is the days are long and the weather is warm, meaning you can easily get out of the gym and enjoy the outdoors. Instead of the treadmill, go for a walk in a local park. Do your morning yoga routine on a balcony or in the backyard. Spend a few weekends out of the city and in nature – studies have proven that being surrounded by a natural environment has positive impacts on your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Stick to your meal times

Although it’s wonderful to have longer days during the summer months, it can also be more tempting to eat later in the evening. This has a negative impact because our bodies tend to store those extra calories as fat especially if we don’t do anything active after consumption. It’s best to stick to your regular meal times but if you do eat later, be sure to exercise afterwards, even if it’s just a brisk walk around the block.

Maintain your sleep habits

Again, longer days means nighttime comes later and we’re encouraged to stay up and socialize. Our ancestors also stayed up later working on the farm or hunting and gathering but they also spent more time enjoying a siesta in the heat of the afternoon. Remember, our bodies need a minimum of seven hours sleep to function at an optimal level. If you stay up late and wake up early, consider taking a nap in the afternoon to allow for that lost sleep. At the very least, spend some time meditating in the afternoon so your mind and body can relax and recuperate.

Don’t over-schedule yourself

With the kids out of school, it can be challenging not to get caught up in soccer games, play dates, and barbecues in between our work hours. Be sure to put time aside for yourself, even if it’s just for 20 minutes a day or one weekend a month. It will help you focus on what’s most important: you.

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

Five Tips on How to Start Meditation

June 15, 2015/in Tips & Advice /by admin

To some, meditation may seem like a new-agey, alternative, crystal-ball-gazing style of activity practiced by yogis and hippies. And while those groups do, in fact, partake, the act of meditation has been incorporated into the daily lives of everyone from CEOs, such as Rupert Murdoch, to professional athletes including basketball star LeBron James.

The earliest reference to meditation is in the Hindu Verdas, which was published around 1700 BC. The practice was then adopted by Confucian and Taoist China and Buddhist India, among others between the 6th and 5th centuries BC. Today, meditation has expanded outside of religious circles and the “practice of mindfulness,” as it is also known, exists in every country in the world.

And while the Eastern health community has known of the benefits of meditation for millennia, Western medicine is now starting to document the positive affects of meditation on high blood pressure, depression and anxiety.

The best part about meditation, aside from its health benefits, is that it’s easy to do. Anyone can meditate – even if you only have five minutes a day to dedicate to it. Below are five tips to help you get started practicing mindfulness. Try it for five minutes each day for a week and you’ll be amazed at the results!

1. Create a space in your life to practice

This doesn’t mean just creating a physical space – in fact, it’s more important to create the time “space” for it. Anyone can meditate anywhere, whether it’s at your desk, on the airplane or in your living room. But the hardest part about meditation is actually putting aside the time to do it. The good news is that all you need is five minutes a day at the start. (See point #4.)

Find something to hold your concentration

2. Concentrate on something that can hold your attention

Religious individuals use items such as rosary beads or mantras such as repeating “Om” to focus their attention but, really, anything can be used: it can be visual like a candle flame, auditory like the sound of ocean waves, or physical like the sensation of your breath at the tip of your nostrils.

3. Notice how thoughts “bubble up” and interrupt your focus

Everyone who meditates experiences interruptive thoughts during their practice, and you will too. Don’t despair. This is just a part of the experience. Just recognized that the thoughts are there and then let them go (without judgement). Then you can return to your point of concentration.

4. Start with sessions of only 5 minutes

No one expects you to sit for hours on end at the outset – in fact, for most of us our busy lifestyles would make this impossible. Instead, set aside five minutes a day to clear your mind and just focus on one thing to help hold your attention. Again you can be anywhere from your office (make sure to choose five minutes where you’re not going to be interrupted) to your backyard. Spend those five minutes just breathing, concentrating on one thing and acknowledging and releasing those interrupting thoughts. As your power of concentration increases, you’ll slowly be able to dedicate 20 to 30 minutes to the practice, or even longer! It will all become easier with a little practice.

5. Practice your focus of concentration in other aspects of your life

This is where the practice of meditation gets really interesting – when you apply that mindfulness to other aspects of your life. In fact, this is precisely why professional athletes and business people do meditation; to bring a state of presence into their entire lives. In the case of a pro sports player, for example, it allows them to remain singularly focused on their goal, such as putting the ball in the net. But it’s easiest for all of us to start small: for example, notice the texture and taste of your food while you are chewing, or the quality of your thoughts when you’re stuck in commuting traffic. This can eventually bring a state of mindfulness into all aspects of your life and the beneficial results are an increase of the “feel good” hormones (oxytocin, and serotonin), and the lowering of the stress hormone cortisol. Another result of practicing meditation is the softening and releasing of our wrinkles and worry lines – it’s like creating beauty from the inside out!

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

How to Take Better Care of Your Skin–Start Now!

May 11, 2015/in Tips & Advice /by admin

Our skin is our suit of armor against all the elements of the world and so it’s important to take care of it. It’s also the artistic canvas we present to those around us and so we tend to have a lot of guests at Mountain Trek asking how to improve theirs so they appear younger and healthier. Of course, the longer answer to this question is to be healthier and act younger by exercising, eating nutritious food, and taking care of yourself. However, there are other things you can do for your skin specifically that will help. This doesn’t mean slathering on lots of store-bought lotion, however, as many of those products contain hormones that affect our inner functions.

6 easy, no-nonsense tips that will help your skin retain its youthfulness

1. Protect yourself from the sun

It goes without saying that one of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. Not only will this prevent wrinkles from forming, it will also slow down the formation of age spots and other more serious problems such as skin cancer. For the most complete sun protection:

Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider wearing special sun-protective clothing, which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.
Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring.

2. Don’t smoke

Aside from all the other negative effects of smoking, it also makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. It narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit: ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:

Limit bath time – Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time and use warm — rather than hot — water.
Avoid strong soaps – Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild, natural cleansers.
Shave carefully – To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
Pat dry – After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
Moisturize dry skin – If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type but be wary of most of the brands on the shelves – they contain many additives and hormones that negatively impact your body. Sometimes the best moisturizer is natural food oils, such as coconut oil applied sparingly.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn’t clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger-looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.

6. Smear food on your face

This can be fun! A lot of people, especially women, like to use masks to help rejuvenate the skin on their face and bodies but as will commercial moisturizes, a lot contain hormones and other additives that can be harmful over time. Here are four fun ideas for giving yourself a fancy spa facial at home:

Vinegar has been used as a skin toner by the Greeks and Romans for centuries. After you wash your face, mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 2 cups water as a finishing rinse to cleanse and tighten your skin
Mash up a ripe banana into a smooth paste and use that as a face mask and apply to your face and neck. Let it set for 10-20 minutes then rinse off with cold water. It’ll leave your skin looking and feeling softer.
Create a facial that both exfoliates and moisturizes by mixing the juice from 1 lemon with 1/4 cup olive oil or sweet almond oil.
If you don’t have an aversion to dairy, then make a mask by mixing 1/4 cup powdered milk with enough water to form a thick paste. Thoroughly coat your face with the mixture, let dry then rinse with warm water.

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

21 Reasons To Visit Mountain Trek in Beautiful British Columbia

May 11, 2015/in Tips & Advice /by admin

What a Spring this has been! We can’t remember the last time we’ve had such a beautiful, sunny and warm start to the season here at our lodge in British Columbia. The days have been averaging +18°C (64°F), wildflowers are blooming and the rest of the environment is fresh, green and revitalizing.

BC is so incredible this time of year but don’t just take our word for it. We’ve compiled 21 photographs into one article about all the reasons why the Kootenay Rocky Mountains are one of the most beautiful areas in the world. Do yourself a favor and come visit us to enjoy all the things listed below. We’ll still be savoring the mild Spring weather and you’ll be inspired to kickstart a healthy and happy summer. We look forward to seeing you and we’re sure you’re looking forward to enjoying these wonderful activities that make up the Mountain Trek program in BC:

Enjoy perfect weather and temperatures

Perfect-weather-temperatures

Lounge on beaches

Lounging-on-beaches

Soak in natural hot springs

Savor locally-grown food prepared by a master chef

Take in the unbelievable mountain scenery

Spot baby wildlife

Breathe in the fresh clean air

Spend time on the many beautiful lakes here

Visit some of the many local streams and rivers

Enjoy bird watching

Explore historic towns

Swim in an alpine lake

Stop to smell the wildflowers

Watch unbelievable sunsets

Be invigorated by an inspiring environment

Connect with friendly people

Hike a mountain then rest on a beach

View beautiful waterfalls

Meditate and find inner peace

Practice your photography

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

Emergency in Nepal – How We’re Helping Our Friends

May 1, 2015/in Tips & Advice /by admin

We’ve heard from a number of our alumni regarding Nepal since the earthquake and we wanted to write to let you know what the situation is there and the various ways we are helping.

Mountain Trek has a special relationship with Nepal: in 2011 we organized an adventure hike there that saw our guests reach Everest Basecamp, one of the areas affected when the earthquake triggered an avalanche on the mountain. Also, Nick Clayton, Mountain Trek’s primary owner, supports ITrekNepal, based in the historic city of Bhakatapur near Kathmandu, and we are very happy to announce that the ITrekNepal guests, staff and their families are all safe. However, many are currently living in tents or on the streets and water, power, communications and transportation are either completely out of commission or quickly diminishing. It will take a long time to stabilize the situation there and rebuild.

Nick is also involved in a project to bring the internet to the small village of Takru, located closer to the epicentre of the earthquake. We’ve just received this latest information about their situation: “Most of the houses are damaged but there are no casualties. The villagers are moving toward Pokhara or down to Saintighata Village.” Given the circumstances this is good news although we are trying to get more information about the extent of the damage.

We’ve been told there are two basic ways we can help: we can make a donation to one of the established charities currently working in Nepal (the Mercy Corps or Save the Children were recommended) and designate it for the Nepal earthquake relief. We’ve also set aside funds to help finance efforts in Bhaktapur and Takru so the citizens (and our friends) can rebuild their lives and their homes. ITrekNepal operates a licensed charity in Nepal called the New Hope foundation but because of the current infrastructure problems it is not possible to donate directly through this organization at this time.

If you are moved at all to help the people of Nepal, please donate to the charities above, or simply send us an
e-mail expressing your wish to help Bhaktapur and Takru and we will notify you as soon as possible where and how to send your donation.

On behalf of everyone at Mountain Trek let me say how very grateful we are to have so many friends around the world who care about Nepal, and for the wonderful people there who have graced our lives with their generous spirit. Thank you again for your support.

Warm regards,

Kirkland

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below: