“Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.”
Marvin J. Ashton
24 Jun 2015
23 Jun 2015
10 Cool Things to Do in The Provence Region
One of the most idyllic area's of France, Provence is the perfect summer escape. Lavender fields, yellow stone houses, olive trees, blue mediterranean skies, wineries, culture and art, all part of the charming style of this iconic region.
Discover with us this fantastic region, we will give you 10 Cool Things you can do when visiting Provence, so here we go:
1) Spend one night in Aix de Provence, the main city of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France full of history and Cezanne art corners. Make a detailed daily plan and visit Cezanne's childhood home, Jas de Bouffan, and his former studio The Atelier Cézanne. Also don't forget to end your day in The white limestone Sainte-Victoire for the perfect sunset time. To complete the experience stay in Hotel Cezanne, located in the city centre, this chic and trendy property offers a four star service with 55 rooms. The terrace have a lovely and well equipped bar. The Breakfast is a must running through until noon giving you the perfect start for your day.
2) Next stop is Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in the region will welcome you with unique narrow cobbled streets which thread their way through tall houses; all constructed against the rock whispering the tales of a thousand legends. Romantic balconies and the characteristic yellow rock Mediterranean houses.
Stay in Mas de Gordes, the perfect place to enjoy the view of Provence and the rural vibe of the area. Located about 10 min walking from the entrance of Gordes, this hotel is a perfect place to relax after a long trip. Rooms have been renovated for summer, breakfast is great and the service will make you feel at home. The beautiful shapes of the building and wonderful gardens will entice you to stay for more than one night.
3) Enjoy a great Lunch at La Ferme de La Huppe, a wonderful old Provencal house located in Gordes. With a lovely pool-terrace this is the perfect place for a late summer lunch. Try the Pigeonne, the Cold cherry soup and the frozen chocolate mousse. Organic products, daily specials , set menus and Jazz every Friday make this place a must visit.
4) Visit Mane, another beautiful town in the region just 3.5 km south of Forcalquier. A lovely little village with a good number of nearby sites worth visiting for their beauty and their historical interest, such as Pont Romain, Château de Sauvan and the famous Prieuré de Salagon. Every Sunday there is a Farmers Market and on Aug 10 the famous Fête votive de la St Laurent.
5) For a fabulous meal, try La Manne Celeste, a traditional and cosy restaurant with great local food. The menu includes French and some other international food such as great pizzas. All prepared with local products, service is friendly. Try the Gazpacho, its great.
6) Visit the busy and central town of Apt, a charming town surrounded by rising plateaus and a beautiful river that runs through the center, definitely the the gateway to Haute-Provence region. Apt has been the natural trading area of Provence. The Saturday-morning farmers market is a must. This is not a tourist town, however it will give you the feel of what the real life in Provence is all about.
Stay in Sainte Anne and eat in L'Intramuros, a Gault & Millau recognized restaurant with a unique charm and fantastic food. From outside it looks like a normal old restaurant but when you walk inside the charm and quirkiness will make you stay. Walls full of color and collections of vintage art. Daily menu with organic local products, a menu of beers and a fantastic service will make the experience unforgettable. Buy some sardines in the unique vintage designed cans. Fantastic place.
7) For a more luxury experience, try La Coquillade, a exquisite retreat located about 15 min out of Apt. The ideal place to relax and enjoy the Provence experience. Beautiful Old Building surrounded by vineyards and lavenders. From this place you will be able to explore nearby towns like Bonnieux, Saignon and Roussillon. This hotel offers bike tours, winery tours and excellent Spa experience. if you want to treat yourself in a wonderful provence way, this is the place for you. Food is superb.
8) Stop in the beautiful Forcalquier , the main central town of the Haute-Provence area. From the entrance of the town to the end, you will see Mountain top, plains surroundings and wonderful valleys, a different provence landscape with abundant vegetation, aromas of lavender and olive trees. Visit the Citadel for a wonderful view of all the valley. On sunday Mornings don't miss the beautiful sounds of the bells and music coming from the Chapelle Notre Dame de Provence. Farmers Market is on Monday with a great variety of local products, craftsmen and of course local people, the perfect way to know more about this wonderful place. Narrow streets, shady squares, and elegant 13th century houses conform the rich arty and cultural life of Forcalquier.
9) If a road trip is your thing, try the Napoleon Pass, starting in Grasse and all the way to Grenoble. (Over 150 km road) tracing its way through both the Alps Maritimes and the Alps. Its have a fantastic design, with windy roads and fantastic scenery. You can find many vintage cars and bike groups doing this road. The road has a perfect smooth rhythm from beginning to end, making it a fantastic driving experience for anyone. Become one of the people that can say "I drove the Napoleon route to Grenoble".
10) Our best Pick of a Provence Cote D'Azur experience is Cassis, an ancient fishing port that has become a cosmopolitan beach area full of great natural beaches, fantastic food and amazing views. The old village streets contain nice old buildings and some beautiful restored houses with the colorful pastels of Provence. Visit the Old fountains and an open-air artists market, the harbor area is the prettiest part of Cassis. Plan your day trip to Calanques, a line of limestone cliffs that go down into the Mediterranean and connects Marseille to Cassis with almost 20 km of marked trails.
Provence is a beautiful region full of contrasts and history. From Van Gogh to Cezanne, From Napoleon to the Pirates along the coast, plan your trip and take in all of the charming corners of this unique region.
Created by Huellas de Luz Blog /D.Oballos
22 Jun 2015
14 Simple Ways to Be Healthier Every Single Day
It’s probably safe to say we all wish we lived healthier lives, full of many 6 a.m. yoga classes and absolutely zero 10 p.m. ice cream sundaes. Alas, life. Still, bettering oneself is a noble pursuit, and we’re committed to seeking out small improvements that have big impacts. That way, the road to healthy living doesn’t feel quite so insurmountable that we throw in the towel entirely. To inspire you to live healthier each day, we’ve rounded up 14 simple habits that make all the difference. Read on.
Get moving.
Bike to work. Do a set of jumping jacks in the morning. Buy a jump rope and spend five minutes perfecting your double dutch. Put on a playlist of four or five songs, and dance like no one’s watching. Do leg flutters under your desk while you work at your computer (no one will even notice!). Set an alert for yourself for every hour or so and make a point to walk to the kitchen for a cup of tea or stroll to a co-worker’s desk to say hi.
Cool off.
Though a hot, steamy shower is the stuff of daydreams, it can actually be damaging to your skin and hair health. Because no one really wants to take an icy shower, try to find a happy medium and cool it down a touch, or at least turn the temperature down during the last two minutes of your shower. Even this burst of cold will do your body good, closing your pores and hair follicles (and waking you right up).
Stretch.
Throughout the day, pay attention to your body, and stretch when you’re feeling cramped, tired, or just generally in need of a pick-me-up. Try a couple of sun salutations first thing in the morning to get your blood flowing, and end your day with a slow, seated stretch of bending at your hips to touch your toes. Hang out in these positions for as long as feels necessary.
Look up.
The next time you’re walking down a street, put your phone away and allow your eyes to wander. Notice details. Challenge yourself to pay attention to things you might normally ignore. Pause before going inside, and look up at the sky, the clouds, or the moon.
Hydrate.
Drink an extra glass of water every day. Better yet, drink a few extra glasses. To help in this, try drinking a glass of water before every meal. Oftentimes we mistake thirst for hunger, and drinking a tall glass of H2O will actually help you feel fuller, longer.
Commit to citrus.
Drink a cup of warm water with lemon juice in the morning. The benefits of sipping the antioxidant-rich beverage are numerous: It reduces inflammation, aids digestion, and boosts energy, to name just a few.
Be one with nature.
Whether that means taking a break from your office to stand outside in the sunshine, waking up a little earlier to take a walk around your neighborhood, or beelining it to the beach at morning’s first light, it’s all good. The health benefits of nature are well documented, with studies suggesting being outside can ease depression, improve focus, increase creativity, and even strengthen your immune system.
Take the stairs.
Whether it’s at work or home, there’s always that moment of pause where you can opt to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Challenge yourself to get walking. While you’re at it, inject a little bit of training into your flight climbing. As you take a step, plant your foot more firmly into the floor, allowing the entirety of your foot to meet the step, then burst out of your step and into the next.
Perfect your posture.
Sit up a little straighter and stand a little taller! Bad posture has all kinds of negative health impacts, including chronic muscle pain, reduced circulation, headaches, and even bad moods. Sitting up straight and assuming the body language of victory actually has a proven-positive impact on your health, both physical and mental.
Practice mindful eating.
Many of us are in the habit of eating at our desks, in front of the television, or absentmindedly while we do another task (or two or three). Try to slow down the act of eating. Focus on taste, consistency, and your enjoyment. When you can, eat your meals sitting down at a table, where all you are doing is eating and reflecting.
Meditate.
The best times to take a stab at some meditation are first thing in the morning before you’ve caffeinated (but after you’ve gotten up and splashed some water on your face) and in the evening before dinnertime. Take some time to sit quietly and close your eyes. Find a comfortable spot to sit that has back support, and tuck yourself into a cozy blanket. Repeat a mantra, concentrate on positive thinking, focus on deep breathing, or just allow your mind to wander. The benefits of meditation are manifold, and even a “failed” attempt provides a much-needed break.
Wind down.
Turn off all your technology 15 to 30 minutes before bedtime. Even something as harmless as checking your phone just before going to sleep can disrupt your sleep pattern, as the bright screens excite optic nerves and make your eventual sleep less restful.
Give your eyes a break.
Eye health experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule in order to preserve eye health, cut down on eye strain, and reduce eye strain–related headaches. For every 20 minutes you spend on the computer, glance away from the screen for at least 20 seconds by looking at something 20 feet away.
Get enough sleep.
Not getting enough sleep is one of the most consistent indicators of poor health. Though everyone is different, adults generally require between seven and eight and a half hours of sleep per night. If you aren’t sure how much you require, pay attention to your energy levels and mood each day, and tweak accordingly.
Do you have any simple tricks for a healthier lifestyle? Tell us in the comments, and then scroll to shop some of our favorite products for kicking your health into high gear.
Article published by My Domain and created by Dana Covit
21 Jun 2015
20 Jun 2015
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