Could our mobile phone be accelerating our ageing?

I was out at dinner with a group of close friends the other night and the conversation turned to mobile phones and where we leave them at night time. 

The shocked gasp of disbelief at me charging my iphone on my bedside table at night went something like this, “OMG Jos you are crazy! Do you know how dangerous it is to sleep near your mobile phone!”

But my addiction to my iphone was too great to even contemplate the idea of switching it off or housing it in another room and I laughed them off for being overly dramatic. After all, I rely on my iphone alarm to wake me up most mornings.

In bed I check the weather forecast for the following days’ most appropriate attire, I check for any last social media posts or emails. I type up tomorrow's 'to do' list in the notes section. I add in a couple of school dates I’ve forgotten to the calendar. Sometime later whilst listening to my husband snore, a wave of inspiration and work ideas swamp me like a tsunami and so again I reach for my iphone. (And when my eyes are too tired to focus on the screen, I’ll sleepily call the Spa and leave reminders on the voicemail for the staff… I'm probably sounding like a workaholic too now.)

So you see, my iphone is very much my reliable PA and the idea of leaving it in another room leaves me with major withdrawals.

That being said though... that electrical buzz that I can hear in the air when the house eventually falls completely silent has been playing on my mind. (Along with my good friends anguish at my possibly detrimental phone usage.) So last night, I googled Electro Magnetic Field Radiation in iphones, hoping that it might just say that switching to 'airplane mode' at night may be a safe enough alternative. Well it turns out that while this will lower the emissions considerably, it is still not the best solution.

EMF Radiation (Electro Magnetic Field) seems to be bad news unfortunately and the Australian Govt recommends that heavy exposure to EMF's be avoided if possible. The phone companies say their mobile phones emit radiation levels within the legal 'safety parameters' however mobile phones have several transmitters that can simultaneously emit microwave radiation, which include Cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radiation. When all these transmitters are turned on, these safety levels come very close to that legal limit and that value is only tested when the phone is more than 5mm away from your body. If these levels were tested from your hand or in your pocket or worse still down your bra like I've seen some crazy ladies do, most mobile phones would fail the SAR test as the radiation absorption increases dramatically when the phone is close to the body. 

While there has never been proof of EMF Radiation causing cancer, or numerous other suggested health concerns, could you imagine if that were ever proven? If the EMF’s are really causing degradation of our biological cells, think of the accelerated ageing on every organ, including our skin! My kids are ageing me enough, now my iphone could be accelerating ageing? EEK!

It poses the question, will the big tech companies in the future find themselves in the same boat as cigarette companies now and be served with law suits and forced to label everything they sell with warnings? 

I am certainly no expert and I'm only sharing what I've read, however I am allowed to have my opinion and that is that the heat and buzzing produced by my iphone and ipads cannot be beneficial for my family, nor myself and after surfing the net for information on EMF Radiation it leaves me feeling concerned and I’m quite sure I’m not alone. So from now on I am definitely making some changes and hopefully if you haven't already made some, you will too.

I have decided to invest in a very unstylish but supposedly ‘EMF safe’ iphone case and I will be doing away with my night time PA and replacing it with a good old fashioned notepad and pen and a tick tock wall clock... because really, who needs a pretty diamond studded iphone cover and the soothing sounds of a harp to wake up to, when you can look after your health with a safe but dreary phone cover and wake up to loud, crazy children like I have!! …. coffee anyone?

Cove Spa: The Beauty of Lemons

Cove Spa: The Beauty of Lemons

The Beauty of Lemons

I recently received a huge bag of lemons from my Great Aunt who is lucky enough to own an enormous lemon tree in her beautiful garden.

At this time of year, lemons are in abundance… and I like to think that this is mother natures way of looking after us at a time when colds and flu's are prolific!

The good old lemon is a great source of Vitamin C and does wonders for our immune system.

First thing in the morning I squeeze half a juicy lemon into my water which I drink before I’ve even thought about breakfast and the long list of ‘to-do’s’ that come with getting 3 kids out the door to school and running a small business.

So far, touch wood both I and my family have avoided any dreaded lurgies going around, so I'm feeling very enthusiastic about lemons!

So what does lemon juice do, other than give a good hit of natural Vit C? 

Lemon is also very alkaline in the digestive system which is a great way to ward off a myriad of other health issues. Problems like arthritis, cystitis (most of the ‘itis’ words) stem from inflammation within the body which can sometimes be caused by an acidic system. 

The other great thing about lemon in water is that it helps the kidneys to assimilate water better so that you stay rehydrated for longer.

The production of collagen in the skin requires Vit C so lemons are a great source of anti-ageing!

Antioxidants are abundant in lemons so they help repair damage caused by free radicals.

So next time you go into the beautiful Cove Day Spa and wonder why we ALWAYS have lemon water on offer on our buffet, you will understand why J beauty starts from within!

Perth Day Spa Packages for Mothers Day 2015

Being a mother to 3 spirited children myself, I speak with experience when I say I know what most Mum's would love for Mothers Day!

Jet, Saxon & Latysha (pictured right), are loud and fun, so some occassional 'quiet time' is totally welcome anytime!

My ideal scenario would be some quality time spent with loved ones over a delicious breakfast and a little time to myself to recharge the batteries... (a housekeeper for the day would be nice too!) and a recharge of the batteries is exactly what Cove Spa is offering this Mothers Day.

With three great value offers, professional experienced therapists and an award winning ambiance you can be assured you've made the right choice.
On the day of your Mum's booking, she will be invited to change into a fluffy white robe and slippers, and relax in the lovely quiet relaxation lounge, sipping on Cove signature mixed Spice Tea whilst she await
s her Spa Therapist. You can trust the experienced professionals at Cove to totally pamper and look after your Mum.
Gift Cards are available for purchase for either of the 3 indulgent spa packages below up until Monday 11th May and are valid for up to 18 months.
And if you'd like to get that quality time in with Mum, then buy 2 of these packages together to receive a 10% discount and enjoy these decadent packages side by side in the duo suites.

$159 Cove Renew

(Allow 1hr 20mins+)

Relaxation Body Massage

Replenish Facial

$219 Cove Harmony

(Allow 2hrs+)

Hot Stone Back Massage

Evoke Facial

Ginger & Orange Hand Scrub & Massage

$259 Cove Balance

(Allow 2hrs 40mins+)

Relaxation Back Massage

Evoke Facial

Ginger & Orange Hand Scrub & Massage

Peppermint & Lavender Foot Scrub & Massage

Click here to buy a gift card online today!

More information at http://covespa.com.au/special-offers/ 

Written by Jocelyn Derecourt

Chia Seeds

Being involved in the 'spa wellness industry', I am looking more and more into what our clients can benefit from not only externally but also internally. We recommend a great selection of anti-ageing creams, serums and treatments, however if you don't look after your insides as well as you do your skin, then chances are you could be fighting a losing battle. Our skin care is results driven with proven reults, however at the end of the day, there is only 'so much' a cream can do to plump up the skin. If you suffer from particularly sagging skin, it could just be related to a depleted diet rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

Australian Chia Seeds are a great source of Dietary Fibre, Protein, Antioxidants and Omega 3 Fatty Acids which are well known for creating healthy brain function, a healthy heart, increased immunity and healthier skin.

Widely advertised sources of Omega 3 are types of oily fish and/or fish oil. But for those of us who struggle to swallow oil or get tuna and salmon down in regular doses, commonly referred to as 'cat food' by my husband, the Chia Seeds are an awesome plant based alternative!

They are virtually unrecognisable and undetectable by both husbands and kids.

You can throw them into your cereal, porridge, dips, pasta, mix them with water and blend into smoothies, muffins or bread, almost anything you can think of.

Along with some other awesome healthcare products, you can now buy Chia Seeds directly from Cove Spa and if you are investing in anti-aging skin care, then we recommend that for $7.50 you buy some Chia Seeds too, not only for yourself, but to keep your family healthy too.

For more details about Australian Chia Seeds and/or recipe ideas, follow this link http://www.thechiaco.com.au/discover-chia/discover-chia

This afternoon I made healthy Chocolate Chia Brownies. Due to the large amount of sweet potato, to be honest, the kids raised one eyebrow so I put a light layer of icing on top and they ate every last crumb!

Recipe below:

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Chia Seed
• 300g Sweet Potato, steamed and mashed
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 100g dark chocolate
• 3 egg whites
• 3/4 cup plain flour
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil

Preparation time: 40 minutes Cooking time: 20 - 25 minutes

Servings : 24

Directions:

1. Pre heat oven to 180 degrees celsius.

2. Mix the chia seed with 120g water and set aside.

3. Peel the sweet potato and cut into small pieces. Place in a steamer and steam for 15–20 minutes. Once the sweet potato is tender either mash or place in a processor until smooth and free of lumps. Using the kitchen mixer, beat the eggs to form peaks and set aside in a separate bowl.

4. Melt the chocolate over a double burner.

5. Add the flour, cocoa, walnuts and sugar to the mixing bowl with the chia seed paste, mashed potato, light olive oil and melted chocolate, and lastly fold through the egg whites. Spread the mixture across a 30 x 20cm baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for 20–25 minutes, cut into squares and store in air tight containers.

ENJOY!

Toxic Skin Care

I've seen a lot of expensive tv advertising recently about supermarket brand face moisturisers promising the world, even offering money back guarantees...its powerful marketing!
But my first thoughts are, what sort of ingredients are being used in these moisturisers to cause such so called dramatic effects? The cost of these miracle creams are considerably lower than 'spa brands' yet they can afford huge advertising costs which means that possibly the ingredients are being compromised.

So I decided to embark on a little reconnaissance mission up to my local supermarket recently to investigate.
Without mentioning specific brands, I was not surprised to find some less than superior ingredients listed on the backs of the packaging. Products containing PABAs (possible carcinogens) and plastics, just to name a few...I just can’t see how the ingredients in these formulas can result to the claims made by these big companies. Ingredients used for degreasing car engines and known carcinogens are still being packed into these creams! Sure, they are easily accessible, offer the world and don't cost the earth, but why would anyone knowingly buy this stuff to use on their face and body? What sort of long term effects will they have on our health?

 With the rate of cancers soaring, I believe that it is worth investigating our personal care products that we use several times per day on our skin. These trace amounts of chemicals are being absorbed and who knows whether our bodies are storing them causing a slow build up which may cause problems in the future.

Our recommended spa brand Pevonia, does not contain these harmful ingredients and while you pay a little extra for quality ingredients, how do you put a price on your health?
We now also stock aluminium free deodorants which are a much safer alternative and our nail polishes are free of formaldehyde, DBP and toluene. At Cove we are working hard to eliminate as many chemicals as possible in the interest of the future health, beauty and wellbeing of both our staff and clients.

Harmful Cosmetic Ingredients (from http://www.livestrong.com/) :

The Food and Drug Administration does not test cosmetics, but cosmetic companies are required to list all the ingredients in their products. As a consumer, you should read all cosmetic labels and be aware of what chemicals may be hazardous to your health.

Phthalates

Several phthalates exist, and they are not easy to spot on cosmetic labels. Sometimes they are referred to as diethyl phthalate, or DEP, or as dinbutyl phthalate, or DBP. Phthalates appear in nail polishes, perfumes, hair products and deodorants. They are suspected to cause reproductive issues in both men and women. Phthalates may also damage the kidneys, lungs and liver.

Propylene Glycol

Found in lipsticks, sunscreens and toiletries, propylene glycol keeps cosmetics from drying out. Propylene glycol is listed on cosmetic labels as polyethylene glycol, or PEG, and as polypropylene glycol, or PPG. This ingredient is known to cause skin and eye irritation. When the body absorbs high doses of propylene glycol, it can lead to heart, kidney and liver damage.

Talc

Face powders, blushes and body powders all contain talc. Also known as talcum powder, this ingredient may be laced with asbestos, which is a well-known carcinogen. Talc may cause chronic or acute lung disorders and may contribute to ovarian cancer. You should avoid using body powders that contain talc, especially in the genital area.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde sometimes appears on cosmetic labels as DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate or quaternium-15. Formaldehyde may be used as a preservative in a variety of cosmetics, including eye shadows, mascaras, nail polishes, soaps, creams and shampoos. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and may cause breathing difficulties, especially for those with asthma. When it occurs in creams or soaps, formaldehyde is absorbed into the skin and may trigger headaches and allergic reactions.

Parabens

Small levels of parabens are not considered dangerous, but so many cosmetics contain parabens that you could easily have a high exposure rate to this ingredient. Parabens are listed under the names propylparaben, methylparaben, butylparaben or ethylparaben on cosmetic labels. They are used as a preservative and appear in products such as shampoos, deodorants, shaving creams and makeup. Parabens have been linked to fertility issues and may increase your chance of developing breast cancer.

Acai Berry - Nature's Super Food!

The Acai Berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is a fruit found in a specific type of palm tree deep in the Amazon Jungle of Brazil.  The Acai Berry is often known as the Beauty Berry due to its intense anti ageing properties.  It is a nutrient rich berry packed full of antioxidants that kill off the free radicals that contribute to the ageing process.  These high antioxidant levels also help in fighting any cancerous cells in the body, thus helping to reduce the possibility of any cancer attack. The superfood is packed so full of vitamins that its health benefits are astounding scientists all over the world.  Containing omega 3 fatty acids, amino acids, fibre and iron just to name a few it is easy to see why this magic berry is gaining such popularity.


Research says that the Acai Berry is very helpful and beneficial to those suffering from hypertension and diabetes, especially in people who have a difficult time controlling their blood pressure and blood sugar levels.  Reports also suggest that the berry helps in the reduction of any inflammation; improvement in the functioning of the heart, increased blood circulation in the body and in addition to all this, improved vision.  


Overall some of the most prominent benefits people report are an increase in energy levels and weight loss.


Acai Berries are mainly available to consumers in the form of capsules, powder or juice.  It is important to buy the produce from a reputable company that does not heavily process the contents removing the goodness.


So if you want to improve your overall health and vitality, the Acai Berry could be just what you are looking for....your body will love you for it!