GAIAgirls

We re enjoying sharing a picture with you we had taken the other day!

We needed a current foto of our production team for the new website http://bestislandtimes.com with whom we are working in a creative co-operation. Best Island times are offering a large selection of island based experiences. At the Gaia Finca we are a offering an afternoon of Perfumery classes followed by a Health Food buffet and a candle lit Spa around our pool and Finca area. Apart from our Gaia experience there are many other truly interesting and inspiring events you can join in. Why not check them out!
Here is another foto from the shoot with photographer Nika at http://www.nbielecka.com
it's us with our puppy- just to make you smile!
Enjoy!

GAIAcoaching for the new Parkhyatt Mallorca

We are very proud to be making the signature treatments for the the Serenity Spa of the new Hyatt Hotel in Canyamel. This weekend saw the coaching of the therapists at the GAIA finca in Andraitx.
The signature treatments are being offered with the by now classic cacao based products form GAIA- based on Island sourced natural and organic ingredients.

One of the rituals being offered is given on a heated quarts sand bed and uses the GAIA Olive Tree exfoliation. Made from the simplest, purest and organic ingredients it has everything a discerning customer could wish for in an all natural ritual. The organic first press olive oil is infused with the leafs of the olive tree bound in the smallest amount of organic beeswax and enriched with olive-leaf and olive pip powder. The effect on the skin of this exfoliating balms is super nourishing and leaves the skin rejuvenated, nourished and with a healthy glow. 'Serenity on the Sand' is what this ritual is called- should you be in the lucky situation to be able to choose it!

Other rituals include" Calming Scent" which uses an organic  GAIA made exfoliating balm in a base of quince apple and organic almond oil, 'Mystical Path' which is a full body experience using island won Flor de Sal as a mineralising and exfoliating ingredient and rich cacao butter scented with organic Rosemary essential oil to alleviate muscle pains, stress and modern fatigue.
Rosemary and Lavender have been used as the essential oils of choice for the Park Hyatt Serenity Spa signature treatments to reflect the locally grown plants of importance.

As we at GAIA well know the success of a treatment not only depends on excellent products with which to make the treatment but also upon perfectly trained and confident therapists- we make time to help and train the therapist before the opening of the Spa. We spend a very enjoyable day training, massaging, discussing the ultimate ways to perform the signature rituals.

The GAIA advantage & key to the best products!

The GAIA advantage & key to the best products are of course the carefully sourced organic ingredients which we find. As much as possible we use locally grown and sourced from the mainland Spain. Many of your ingredients are also grown on the finca which now has a good stock of Aloe Vera plants, Lavender, Rock-Rose and many other plants. As you know we make our own organic hydrolates and express our own Aloe Vera gel.

The advantages of these pure ingredients are evident in the wholesome, natural and highly organic product we make fresh for every order. You can smell and see the difference these beautiful natural products make to your skin. 
It is important to be selective about what you put onto your skin- just as you are selective about what you put into your mouth. Holistic wellbeing and beauty can only be achieved if from the outset you always choose to use only the very purest and natural and organic ingredients! The way forward is  to stay away from any product that does not come up to those expectation. The result- complete health, well-being and a natural glowing beauty.
Over the last few years it has become increasingly more easy and affordable to source organic ingredients as more and more suppliers are offering pure organic raw materials. They have become aware of the consumers and producers trends and need for better and purer ingredients.
Many of our products have a little as six or seven ingredients, ALL of which you will know and recognise. This makes a refreshing change from cosmetic ingredients labels that sport very many ingredients that you the user have no idea what they are apart from AQUA, ALCOHOL & perhaps PRUNUS AMYCDALIS DULCIS OIL.
So this is our ambition and promise to you- we keep it simple and only the very best ingredients will be good enough!

Pomegranate Lip Scrub, made with organic-
coconut sugar, grated pomegranate
powder,grape seed oil and essential
oil of rose absolute

Herbal stamps filled with
organic -rice & dried herbs

Prickly pear exfoliating base

  

Our Eau de Perfume made with
organic essential oils

Organic olive oil soap felted with
organic sheep wool
from Mallorca

Cooking ayurvedic oils with
organic ingredients 

Our best selling product. Cacao
butter body scrubs which have
no more then 5 different ingredients.

Lent & the anual Detox

Good health and beauty on the outside can only be achieved holistically through a healthy balanced lifestyle- a wholesome diet and regular exercise and meditation.

YES and it is so true- but how many of us actually manage this throughout the year without failing. With the busy lifestyles many of us lead and the social commitments it's so easy to slip up and then it is OHH soo difficult to get back into the groove.
So to help me get back into the groove I have been encouraged by Amber who works with me to join her on her anual detox for lent. This is traditionally the period from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday to abstain from all stimulants, rich foods and treats.
In our case we are not drinking any tea coffee or alcohol, not eating meat or fish, no dairy no processed foods  and Amber is not even eating any gluten.

     

  Gaia snack-time                                     

Gaia tea-break 

 

Gaia healthy-snack time

My biggest worry was giving up tea and  coffee as over the years I had convinced myself that the reason I am so wide awake and have this yes can do- lets get it done personality is thanks to the copious amounts of tea and coffee I drink.  So biggest surprise of all was that once I got over the day 3 big headache from coffee and tea withdrawal I felt just the same. AND it was a great feeling to know that that energetic person is really just me and not the coffee speaking. I feel much better for it and I have to say less anxious and nervous for not drinking coffee any more. Instead I am drinking herbal teas, fresh squeezed juices, coconut water.

The other really very pleasant surprise was finding alternative sources of protein and consequently my
local Health-food shop around the corner from our GAIAbathtime  shop on the Plaza Quatera  in Palma
old town.
http://biokalma.com
It has refreshed my food shopping experience completely! Shopping for things not packaged in mountains of plastic. Putting a handful of all the fresh, organic fruit and veg I desire into a small basket and from there straight into my shopping bag- wow.
I had got so accustomed to storming around my local corporate supermarket just throwing packs of this and that into my shopping basket, not really studying what I was buying and certainly not looking at prices- food just costs what it costs and you need to buy it, was my attitude. Now I actually browse around the my local Bio Shop marvelling on all sorts of foods I don' t know and certainly haven 't tried before-   I am interested in the prices and I ask about methods of preparation. It has put pleasure into shopping for food again and consequently my enjoyment in what I cook and eat.
I have discovered Shia Seeds and Quinoa both as sources of protein as well as various seeds and nuts. I am making cheese from Cashew nuts and from Almonds.
I have been surprised how well I feel, my cravings for sweet things have gone and I am not missing the animal fats at all. I have lost a little weight and my skin has improved- so have my energy levels.
I eat 3 meals a day which is the first time since I was about 15. I had always managed on snacks during the day and one big meal in the evening. Most importantly I have realised that this is actually not about loosing weight and being super slim- its about being healthy and strong and in the best condition possible.
So what am I eating?
In the morning I have some chia seeds soaked over night in rice or almond milk with some fresh fruit and some oats sprinkled over the top.
For lunch I will have some soup- like a red lentil Dhal, or some brown or black rice and some stir fried vegetables  or a really lovely green salad with avocado and tomatoes and some quinoa.
In the evening when I have more time to prepare  I will make a vegetable sushi. I have made beetroot humous, nut cheeses and all sorts of easy and new and wonderful foods.
We started the year with a team exercise about finding core values. It was based on reflecting on ones strength and weaknesses and coming up with core values that will help structure and maximise the ratio of time and effort versus results.
One of my weaknesses was that despite the fact that I know that I work better - in a more focused way,  if I start the day with some 20 minutes of exercise or meditation, I always find pathetic school girl excuses for myself not to have to do this. My resolution was to make a start, get into the groove and not let a few days of not doing them be a reason not to do them for the rest of the year. The secret if you have stopped for whatever reason- is  to always start again asap. A bit like when you have a glass of celebration champagne- it is ok as long as next day it is straight back to the detox fast, with no intentions of giving up just because you had one glass of alcohol.
We have done 3 of 6 weeks ! Will this change the way I will feed myself forever? I really think so.
Will I have a glass of wine with my Easter feast?
!Probably!

Re-Launch Party on the 8th at 8!

Please give us the pleasure of your company this coming Tuesday the 8th at 8 o'clock. Join us for a celebration cup of Caba and check out our new concept! We have joined as LUPITAS in our GAIAbathtime shop with a lifestyle concept that incorporates cloth and complimentos. Our fashion labels are natural and fair-trade so are the bags, shoes and even some stationary.
SO- see you there on Tuesday! I look forward to it!