Winter, the season of sleep for the earth, invites us to rest from the frantic activity of other seasons and reflect on what we have accomplished over those busier months.

In this edition of 'Keeping in Touch' life coach Kate James reflects on the value of dreaming and shares some of the great ways to create the space to dream. Our resident trainer looks at what makes happy feet happier over the winter months before our guest Naturopath for winter explores those foods that boost your immunity through the colder months.

Rediscover your natural beauty with a great offer from our French marine-based skincare range and take off to Las Vegas with our Canyon Ranch Spa review.

Remember to keep healthy over the winter months with a focus on the most important person in the world - you!

Enjoy the pleasures that this season of stillness brings.

Good Health & Happiness,
Lyndall

Spa Life - Make Time to Dream
by Aurora Life Coach, Kate James

'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.'
Eleanore Roosevelt

Whenever I begin a new series of meditation classes, I'm filled with a sense of renewed appreciation and wonder at how this practice literally transforms people's lives. In whatever format, the simple act of stopping, sitting and reflecting brings about clarity, hope and peace...and sometimes even change at a level that we could only dare to dream of.

The concept of meditation conjures up different ideas for different people. I like to think of it as 'creating space' - not just for formal meditation (which isn't for everyone) but for reflecting and questioning and importantly, for dreaming.

Life is so different when we make time to dream. Some people don't and their lives are still happy. They're the ones who say 'I just wait to see what comes along next' and often that works very nicely. Others are passionate dreamers - their minds never stop and they know that there aren't enough hours in this lifetime for them to pursue all of the parallel lives they could possibly live.

And somewhere in between are the rest of us. At times we find ourselves swept along by life's journey without much thought and then one day, something acts as a trigger to bring the question into our minds, 'am I living my life the way I really want to be living it?'.

Making time to dream isn't just important so that we can carve out individual lives that are fulfilling, it's essential if we want to perceive of and hope for social change.

As I was driving home from gym on Friday, I heard a replay of Martin Luther King Jr's 'I have a dream' speech on ABC's Radio National (visit American Rhetoric if you've never heard it, it's well worth listening to). Like many of the world's true visionaries, his message still has the power to stir such emotion and his ability to see beyond the barriers that others believed were impossible to remove- truly inspirational.

Where would we be without dreamers? When we acknowledge that everything outside of nature around us was created from somebody's dreaming, we begin to understand the magnitude of importance this simple practice holds.

When can you make time to dream?

• Set aside a block of time every day this week (just half an hour will do) to dream. In an ideal world, make it first thing in the morning.
• Find a quiet 'dreaming' space (lie under a tree or sit on the beach if you have the luxury of being able to be in nature).
• Create a 'dreaming' question or series of questions for yourself (e.g. 'what do I want to be remembered for once I've left this earth?' or 'what did I dream of when I was younger that I've since told myself I'm too old/too tired/not skilled enough for?').
• Spend at least ten to fifteen minutes just reflecting on your question. Allow whatever comes into your mind to be. If you find your mind wandering off to worry about the day ahead, bring it gently back to your dreaming question.
• Have a journal, some coloured pencils or pens and write, draw, mind map or just scribble any ideas that spring into your mind.
• Take one small step in the direction of your dream.

Spa Cuisine - Winter Super Foods
by Naturopath Suzie Moore

Feeling your best in the winter months can be difficult if you're living dangerously close to your next cold or flu. Winter is a time to increase our body's resistance to viral and bacterial infection and to begin those activities that will help us sustain good health over the colder months.

Winter is a terrific time to include super foods in your diet that will please your palate and strengthen your immune system. These foods have a major impact on your health and give your body a boost over the colder months.

Key Super Foods to consider in winter are:

Garlic: is a potent healer. Allicin, a chemical found in the aromatic bulb, appears to deactivate viruses (particularly cold and flu bugs) and many other bacteria that cause disease. In what form we should eat it to get the most from its amazing properties is still up for debate so we suggest to eat it in a variety of ways both raw and cooked. To counteract garlic's strong smell, try chasing it with fresh parsley or fennel seeds.

Ginger: has a lot of heat, making it quite soothing as a winter time food. The spicy warmth that you feel when you eat this root is believed to stimulate circulation and ease congestion in the throat and lungs. Ginger has nausea-fighting properties that have been documented in three controlled scientific studies and is great for soothing an upset tummy. Ginger should be enjoyed fresh and can be added in the form of grated ginger root (1/2 teaspoon) to a cup of boiling water during winter to help increase resistance to colds and flu.

Barley: this ancient grain is a great source of plant protein, B vitamins and fibre. Barley also has antiviral properties and contains disease-fighting antioxidants.

Pearled barley, with the bran removed, is what you'll generally find at the supermarkets. Whole barley, the minimally processed type found in health food stores, takes longer to cook but is far more nutritious than the processed type.

Sweet Potatoes: are loaded with immune-boosting compounds and contain no fat. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of cholesterol-lowering fibre and are high in vitamin C which is essential in warding off infection. In addition, the colourful vegetable packs a fair amount of vitamin E and thiamine, vital for a healthy nervous system.

Here are some other suggestions to stay healthy during winter:

• Use more water!
  In winter it's also important to keep your water consumption high. 8 glasses or more of water a day will assist in transporting unwanted toxins from the blood and keep you from feeling dizzy or dehydrated.
• Spice up your Life
  Try adding warming spices such as cinnamon, chilli and tumeric to your cooking to stimulate circulation and improve digestion.
• Sweet Revenge
  Infections love sugar - so don't give them any when you're feeling glum! Keep up your good doses of ginger and garlic and you'll be sure to keep the winter flu away.
• Colour your Diet
  Winter is a great time for cooking warm, colourful vegies like pumpkin, silverbeet, carrots, beetroot and sweet potato, of course. These colourful foods will provide you with essential nutrients and antioxidants that prevent cell damage and enhance the immune system.
• Stay Active
  Keep your metabolism going by rugging up and getting outside for a brisk walk in the beautiful winter sunshine. Research has shown that increased blood flow from exercise helps to stimulate the immune system and help with clarity of thought.

Moroccan vegetable stew with minty couscous

2 tbs olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Spice mix: 1tsp ground ginger, 1tsp ground tumeric, 2tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp chilli flakes.
400g can organic diced tomato
400g can organic chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/2cup (80g) organic sultanas
250g JAP pumpkin, peeled and cut into 3cm cubes
250g sweet potato, peeled and cut into 3cm cubes
1 large zucchini, cut into 2cm pieces
2 carrots, cut into 2cm pieces
8-12 button mushrooms, sliced
1 cup instant couscous
25g butter (can substitute coconut or olive oil)
4-6 tbs fresh mint

Preparation
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until translucent but not brown. Add the spice mix and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato, chickpeas, sultanas and 1 cup of water and bring to the boil, then reduce heat and cook, covered for 20 minutes. Add the pumpkin, zucchini, carrot, sweet potato and mushrooms and cook for a further 20 minutes, adding the garlic in the final 10 minutes. Season with black pepper and a small amount of sea salt. Cook the couscous according to packet directions. Fluff with a fork and stir in butter and mint. Season with black pepper and serve with the stew.

Spa Body - Happy Feet
by therapist trainer Leonie Magee

Did you know that on average your feet lug your body around for a minimum of 9899 steps a day? 9899 steps is as long as it takes me to walk 30 minutes so I estimate my poor feet drag me around for in excess of a 4-digit step figure each day!

In winter it's important to make sure there is good circulation in your feet to keep you travelling the many steps we all take in our daily routines. Caring for your feet with a good foot soak to warm up the feet and promote circulation is one way I care for those precious parts of my body that keep me on the move.

In winter, care for your feet at home with a home-prepared Spa Soak.

Home Spa Soak

1 tblsp of stimulating essential oils (eg: Aurora Detox oil with lemon, mandarin, spearmint & caraway)
1 tblsp of granular exfoliant (eg: Phytomer Oligomer Sea Water salts)
1 bucket of warm water
1 towel
1 tblsp body or foot moisturiser (eg: Ilcsi Horse Chestnut Organic Massage cream)

Prepare your bath by placing your essential oil blend in a bucket of warm water. Place your feet in the bath when cool enough to start and begin exfoliating the lower part of the legs and feet by working the granular exfoliant in an upward movement towards the heart on the surface of the skin. This exfoliating action will remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation in the legs. Do both legs and place any unused salt in the water of the bath. The mineral-rich salt from the sea replaces lost minerals in the body and increases the warmth of the soak. Sit for 15 to 20 minutes in a quiet space and when complete, finish off by towel drying your feet and moisturising with a body or foot moisturiser.

If home spa soaks aren't your thing you can always try Aurora's Guided Meditation Foot Wrap that uses a 104 trace element self heating mud to re-mineralise the feet and draw toxins from the body. A guided meditation is your reward with this treatment inducing clarity of thought that gives you all the energy you need to get through another 9899 steps!

Cheers to Happy Feet!

Spa Events - Rediscover your natural beauty

Receive a complimentary travel size Phytomer Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk and Phytomer Peeling Vegetal Exfoliant this winter, with any purchase of two Phytomer products from this unique skincare range. Purchase a third product and we'll also include a travel size Phytomer Oligomarin Remineralizing Contouring Bath Treatment.

Using exclusively natural ingredients from the sea, Aurora 's Phytomer skincare range lets the power of the sea nourish you at every level.

Call us on (03) 9536 1130 or visit Aurora Spa Retreat, The Prince hotel, St Kilda, to take advantage of this special offer.

One gift per customer. Offer available from 1st June 2007 or while stocks last.

Offer exclusive to Aurora Spa Retreat.

Spa Shop

PurePact Organic Spirulina Nourishing Balm, 250ml $25.00

Purepact Organic Hair Care has just been launched at Aurora to cater for clients looking for hair care and styling products that offer the best of naturally derived ingredients. Each product features its own unique aromatherapy blend of essential oils and organic extracts. Purepact is vitamin E fortified and has no artificial colours, is cruelty free and has recyclable packaging.

We love the Organic Spirulina Balm as it's an intensive conditioning treatment that nourishes & replenishes over- stressed hair. This beautiful product aids conditioning and detangling, adding strength, moisture body & shine to hair. It features an aromatherapy blend of patchouli, clove, spearmint & lavender and organic extracts of spirulina, wheat & soy amino acids. This hydrating treatment uses a sugar-based preservative, is safe for colored hair and is suitable for everyday use.

Elke Lambswool Hottie, Bottle included, $69.95

Elke is the stylish, Melbourne-based brand designed by the very talented partners Adam Koniaras and Marnie Goding. This winter we feel they've excelled with the most luxurious 100% lambswool hot water bottle cover that comes complete with a winter blue hottie. You'll need to hurry for this one while stocks last!

Spa Competition

Water is the element of winter predominant in our Detox range of treatments that are purifying.

Be one of the first 15 emails to book and pay for a 1.5 hour Detox Massage in the month of June and receive a complimentary 1/2 hour Guided Meditation Foot Wrap and Aurora Detox Herbal Tea valued at $83.95.

To enter, send your email titled 'Purify Me' to info@aurorasparetreat.com

Good Luck!

Spa Travel - Canyon Ranch Spa Club - Las Vegas

Overview

Where in the world do you think I could find the largest spa I've ever been to? Las Vegas? Of course! In the city that never sleeps I visited this amazingly BIG spa with over 58 treatment rooms and 450 staff. The spa treatment menu blew me away with a list of treatments to choose from that was nearly as big as the spa. The 3-storey rock climbing wall in reception is a must see! What a way to start your spaaaaaah experience!

Environment/ facilities

The 69,000-square-foot Las Vegas facility features a large health and wellness area; massage, skin care and body treatment rooms; gyms and weight rooms; therapeutic pools; and the three-storey rock-climbing wall. Close by is also the Canyon Ranch Café serving healthy options from 7am till 6pm daily. I can personally recommend the Spa café; the food was beautifully presented, tasted delicious and was really healthy- so hard to find in most cities, especially Las Vegas. The spa also has a full hair salon located close by.

Positive highlights and improvements

It would take me a while to make improvements to a spa of this size with a lot of treatments to understand. The space had a huge traffic flow that on the surface still managed to create a personalised service for clients. Sadly, I didn't have time to stay and experience this spa so I can only comment on the aesthetics. It was very Las Vegas and suited the Venetian Resort it was in but wasn't really my ideal spa in relation to how it looked and felt.

The highlight for me was the Spa Café. I find it so hard to find such a variety of healthy options on menus- especially those that have been carefully selected for their nutritional value (which is listed next to each dish). This Spa Café treats healthy living as a part of everyday life and makes healthy dining easy. That's rare!

Score out of 10: 7

Website address: www.canyonranch.com/spaclubs/las-vegas-about.aspx

Aurora Spa Retreat
2 Acland Street
St Kilda VIC 3182
T 03 9536 1130
F 03 9525 3729
E info@aurorasparetreat.com