El arte del bienestar

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Let’s set off for the land of the rising sun to discover the age-old art of massage. With a stopover to sample some delicious dishes from our Asian neighbors.

Recipe for shrimp spring rolls for 4 people:

For this recipe, you’ll need 30 cooked and shelled shrimps, 2 carrots, 200 g bean sprouts, a few mint leaves, 6 lettuce leaves, 80 g of rice noodles, 8 rice paper wrappers and 2 tbsp. soy sauce.

Peel and cut the carrots into long strips with a grater. Soften the rice paper wrappers by soaking them in cold water. Wash and dry the lettuce, mint and bean sprouts. Soak the noodles for 5 minutes in boiling water. Drain them and rinse in cold water to stop the cooking process. Place them on a clean tea towel and pat dry. Then, place your rice paper wrappers on a clean tea towel and start assembling the rolls. Mix the garnish and shrimp as you like, then gently yet tightly roll them in the shells, folding the ends to close them. As an accompaniment, prepare a sauce with chili paste, soy sauce and lime. Enjoy!

© La raffinerie culinaire

Spotlight on well-being and relaxation: the Amma massage.

The Amma massage unites methods from traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. It’s a mix of several techniques, including shiatsu, reflexology and acupressure. The goal is to release blocked energy by performing specific movements along the muscles, meridians and joints of the body. This helps establish a deep state of relaxation, while stimulating at the same time. This technique is often used in big companies for relaxing breaks that last 10 to 20 minutes. The massage is performed while you remain fully clothed, either seated or standing. At the end, you feel relaxed and recharged with energy.

Spotlight on health: work.

Work has always been at the center of people’s lives, ensuring their survival and comfort in society. It allows men and women to feel valued at different levels, both physically and psychologically. If done passionately, work can give you a reason to live and be a source of happiness, desire, strength and well-being. It is important to do a job that you like, one in which you feel fulfilled and give the best of yourself. According to some people, “work is health,” but you must also do other activities to tend your inner garden. It’s important to take time out to do things you like in order to maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Spotlight on sport: running.

What are the advantages? Well, for starters, it’s one of the least expensive sports, accessible to one and all.
Regular practice improves your heart condition, cellular oxygenation, blood circulation and breathing capacity. It diminishes the risk of cardiovascular problems by over 40%. On a hormonal level, it releases endorphins, triggering a general sensation of well-being by evacuating stress and tension. On a physical level, this sport helps you get back in shape by burning fat so that you can fit into your favorite trousers again. But don’t go overboard! Despite its many advantages, running is one of the most addictive sports there is. It can also be traumatizing for the joints. Vary the exercises and don’t be stingy when it comes to the quality of your shoes. If you follow these rules, you’ll be able to run mile after mile, worry-free.

Nancy Wu © Cosmopolitant Hong-Kong

The cosmetic tip for white teeth.

Sometimes the simplest things work best. To disinfect your teeth and keep them naturally white, simply mix some baking soda with some hydrogen peroxide. Dip your toothbrush in the hydrogen peroxide, then sprinkle it with baking soda and brush your teeth. The disinfecting properties of hydrogen peroxide help eliminate residual bacteria that can cause loose teeth and bleeding gums, amongst other problems. The abrasive quality of the baking soda leaves your teeth white with no effort on your part. However, only do this once a week or you might damage your enamel. Simply rinse your mouth with water and let chemistry do the rest. Now you’re ready say cheese!

Kévin Cherpillod, Ostéopathe D.O