själ will be featured on Hautlook on March 10-12, 2011.
Monday, March 7, 2011
GEMSTONE - AMAZONITE
Amazonite is a gem variety of microcline feldspar and is usually polished as a cabochon. It displays a schiller of light which is caused by inclusions. Schiller is a lustrous reflection from planes in a mineral grain and is similar to what is more commonly known as iridescence. The schiller is caused by a feature of the stone's crystal structure. Orthoclase feldspar and albite are present in close association, arranged in layers. This causes an interference effect of light.
Amazonite is found in the United States, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, Australia, Namibia. Amazonite is a relatively soft stone, usually light green to blue-green, mottled and sometimes contains light striations.
Amazonite varies from bright verdigris green to a bluish green.
Folklore, Legend, and Healing Properties:
Enhances creative expression, aligns astral bodies, unity with life. Improves self worth. Amazonite is considered a soothing stone that offers confidence and works on the throat chakra. It is called the "hope stone" because it inspires confidence and hope. One source says it is useful to activate lazy teenagers.
A semi-opaque stone that was used extensively by the Egyptians it is called the stone of courage and is said to be named after the Amazon women warriors. Some archaeological evidence suggests that the Amazonians were a matriarchal society during the Bronze Age.
Another legend says the name Amazonite comes from the belief that it was found in the Amazon river.
DESTINATION - SOUTH AFRICA / GAUTENG
An oasis of style and comfort set amongst South Africa's raw wilderness. Only two groups stay at any time, allowing visitors to enjoy a private pool, chef, and tours ... privately.
If, indeed, there were a Lion King, he would likely demand accommodations at Morukuru Family. Perched at the river's edge in the Madikwe Game Reserve, this two-family lodge is nothing less than shockingly beautiful. The colonial exterior fits seamlessly with Morukuru's carefully selected modern interior design touches and furnishings. Morukuru Family walks the line between untamed nature, and unabashed luxury.
The Madikwe Reserve is home to almost every type of big African game, not to mention over 350 varieties of birds, and an innumerable spectrum of fish. Whether guests choose to venture out on Jeep safari, bush walk, or fishing safari, they're sure to leave with a greater connection to nature in all its forms.
After a day on the savannah, and a dip in the infinity pool, guests are sure to have worked up an appetite. Thank goodness for that. How else would the private chefs keep busy? All diners are encouraged to eat outside, serenaded by animal calls echoing in the distance.
http://kiwicollection.com
ART - SEEBRUHNE BREGENZ THEATER
Bregenz Festival - Floating Stage
Every year, the Bregenz Festival takes place in the Austrian city of Bregenz at the Lake Constance. Every summer the audience can experience excellent open-air opera performances
on the biggest floating stage worldwide.
The creative spirit is perhaps one of the greatest gifts which we humans have been endowed with. Our task as a festival is not only to act as custodians of past creativity, but also to carry this creative power into the lives of our visitors.
This year we celebrate the courage of the poet André Chénier, whose dedication to justice did not falter even in the face of revolutionary terror. Giordano's opera tells the story of a life that experienced both the wasteful luxury of the Ancien Régime and the radical policies of the Revolution; in the centre stands a passionate individual compelled by his conscience to place his hand in the hellfire of history. This is the stuff that perfect Seebühne operas are made of! All the more so if they come with music of such breathtaking emotional intensity as is the case with Umberto Giordano's André Chénier.
With the opera in the Festspielhaus, we celebrate creation and creativity in a more direct way, having commissioned a new work from the Scottish composer Judith Weir. With the same single-mindedness with which we placed Mieczysław Weinberg centre-stage in the 2010 festival, this season we are assisting in the birth of a new opera: an opera written just for you!
Judith Weir has always been fascinated by the age-old art of storytelling. In her very beautiful and accessible works, she draws on the mythical power of folk tales, many of which deal with age-old problems of human existence. Achterbahn / Miss Fortune is the modern retelling of such a tale – a story about the dizzying vicissitudes of life where, in the blink of an eye, a millionaire can be reduced to washing dishes for a living.
Many have called our programme daring, even risky.
We reply in Chénier's own words: "Obstacles make us great!"
INSIGHT – PH MIRACLE DIET
The pH Miracle diet is a new healthy diet plan with a number of unique benefits. This diet has appealed to so many as it is a complete turn-around from the high protein, low carb diets people have been on in the last few years. The pH Miracle diet, also called the alkaline diet or the Young diet (after it's creator Robert Young) has a whole new approach to nutrition. Many holistic doctors, dieticians and nutritionists view this as a much better balanced approach to nutrition that is based on the true needs of the body.
The basis for the pH Miracle diet is that the human body has a pH that is slightly alkaline. The theory goes that as the body functions at this slightly alkaline level then our diet should comprise mostly alkaline foods. The standard American diet includes a lot of foods that are high in acidity like sugar, caffeine, packaged foods and animal protein. These foods and more can disrupt the body's pH balance and cause a whole lot of health problems. The proponents of the pH Miracle diet say that too many of these acidic foods can disrupt the body's use of alkaline minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium, which in turn can make people prone to various chronic diseases.
RESTAURANT – IMPERIAL NO.9
Mondrian Soho has a new opening date of February 22. According to a press release, Sam Talbot’s Imperial No. 9 will open March 1. Here’s a description of the space from the release, if you can make sense of it.
At the highly anticipated Imperial No. 9, located just off the lobby, Chef Sam Talbot will introduce his sustainable seafood concept with a 150-seat restaurant. In keeping with Noriega's dream-like theme, an opulent cluster of crystal chandeliers hangs over a large, mirror-topped communal table and anchors the main dining room. White washed oak floors and sandy-beige walls accented with antique mirrors embellish the airy atmosphere. A long bar clad in white-washed oak and cream colored stone serves as a casual imbibing spot with a selection of handcrafted cocktails that Morgans Hotel Group's nightlife destinations are famous for. A play of sand colors and textures compliment subtle references to ocean motifs, giving the room a sense of refined elegance while maintaining the allure found throughout the hotel.
The garden building at Imperial No. 9 boasts a romantic setting complemented by an elegant crystal chandelier collection and accented with potted plants and natural ficus trees, all beneath the shelter of a dramatic glass roof. The centerpiece of the space is a delicate over-sized glass sculpture created by acclaimed artist Beth Lipman, and serving as a reference to Cocteau's story in which seduction takes the form of an elaborate feast, prepared nightly. A zinc-topped, potting shed -style bar features wood shelving with potted plants, complimenting the elegant garden atmosphere. A Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz signature double-sided cottage swing completes the casual playfulness of the room and references the whimsy of the designer's swing in the lobby of Mondrian Los Angeles.
NUTRITION - SEAWEED AND ITS HEALTH BENEFIT
Edible seaweed burst with multi-nutrients, no other plant life in the world can give! They feed and support every cell, tissue and organs of our bodies. Seaweed is the world’s most basic yet complete food. Ancient super food is our ancestor’s secret to health and longevity.
For thousands of years now, our forefathers fed on a diet of edible seaweed. They roamed the earth, shorelines and harvested what turned out to be the deepest secret to super health and long life.
In fact, sea or ocean vegetables were so prized during those times that at one point, sea vegetable gardens were kept in Hawaii specifically for royalty. And the first ever-recorded proof that seaweed is a perfect food source dates back to 300 B.C. in China.
Not only are they bearers of complete nourishment but also are natural weight loss and anti-aging “agents” as well. Now, scientists have proved that, seaweed has a very positive effect on the human body.
Gillian McKeith, author of Living Food for Health, says sea vegetables contain key minerals not found anywhere else in plant form. Ms. Gillian also mentions that the body more easily absorbs the protein found in ocean vegetables than meat protein, making it one of nature’s best anti-ageing foods on earth.
Read more here about the benefits:
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
NEWS - WE ARE ON FACEBOOK
let us know if you LIKE it!!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/sjal-skincare/104262032939994
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/sjal-skincare/104262032939994
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
