Vegan for a Week, A Carnivore’s Journey – Part 2

Todays post is a guest blog by Diana Klevesahl, Spa Manager at Haven Salon & Spa, LLC

In last weeks blog we introduced you to Megan, Professional Skin Therapist at Haven and resident vegan extraordinaire.  At Diana’s request, Megan helped this self-proclaimed meat lover adopt a completely vegan lifestyle for just one week to give her a better understanding of it.  Here is a summary of Diana’s experience:

This journey was an amazing learning experience.  I learned a great deal about nutrition in general, but I also learned a few things about myself in the process.  Change is always hard, but I found that keeping the refrigerator stocked with the proper foods made it so much easier to make good choices.  I work a lot of hours and rarely feel like cooking at the end of day – I am usually very hungry and look for a quick and easy choice.  Before this experiment I often defaulted to microwaving some frozen chicken nuggets or a pizza at the end of the day, but I found that by making a large pot of vegan chili at the beginning of the week, I had a healthy quick meal that I could pop in the microwave and enjoy for a quick and easy dinner.  I also found that having a few great resources and cookbooks on hand made it easier as well. 

I realized I could get protein from other sources such as beans and lentils and that I actually enjoyed eating them.  I added more whole vegetables and fruits to my diet and I was surprised to learn that I felt full and more energized then I have in quite some time.  While I didn’t go into this looking to achieve weight loss, I did lose 6 pounds which was an added benefit that has encouraged me to stay focused on eating more healthy whole foods and reaching less for microwaved chicken nuggets. 

The only negative effect that I can report at all was feeling a bit gassy, especially in the first part of the week, but it did improve as my body adjusted to the change and I felt great by the end of the week. 

Will I stick with it long term?  Well, I won’t give up meat completely, but I like to say that I am now a carnivore with vegan tendencies.  What I will stick with is continuing to make positive lifestyle changes.  Eating healthier inspired me to begin exercising again and I am already feeling stronger than I was just a week ago. 

I want to thank Megan for all of her help and support, and for the encouragement to make a change.  Sometimes the very act of just making a small change, any change, can have a ripple effect that brings more positive energy into your life than you thought possible.  So I encourage you to make changes of your own, it doesn’t have to be vegan, perhaps just a desire to get more unprocessed real whole foods into your daily diet.  I challenge you to give it a try.  I promise you will be glad you did! 

Vegan for a Week – A Carnivores Journey, Part One

If you have ever been curious about the vegan lifestyle, you will enjoy the next few guest posts by Megan White, Licensed Esthetician and Skin Care Expert and Diana, Licensed Massage Therapist and Spa Mangager at Haven Salon & Spa.  Today, Megan explains why she choose to adopt the vegan lifestyle several years ago and how she feels her health has benefited since.

This week at Haven, Megan is helping our Spa Manager, Diana, sample the vegan lifestyle for the next seven days.  We will also share Diana’s journey into the vegan world and what she discovers along the way.

Megan:  

I grew up just like everyone else, you eat everything that is put on your
plate and you don’t complain! Of course that meant your plate had a
variation of meat, potato and some sort of vegetable. Now I was not the
kid to know any different, I just ate what my parents told me to eat.. I
did however suffer from a lot of stomach pains, body aches, and migraines
that only increased the older I got. At the time I never connected the
two together, many people were unaware of the affects your food can have
on your body.

When I graduated high school in 2005, my body really started telling me
something was wrong. My stomach pains got to the point where I couldn’t
even get out of bed and I would sleep with a heating pad every night. I
went to the doctor to get tests done, and unfortunately in my situation,
the doctor couldn’t find anything except a little irritation in my
stomach. So for the next few years I dabbled in a few different diets,
seeing if I could figure out the best balance for me.

In 2009 my sister brought to my attention a book that changed my life,
Skinny Bitch. Now I know the title sounds a little harsh, but the content
of the book is completely fascinating! It talks about how eating meat and
other bi-products can affect your body and why. It also goes into detail
about the treatment of animals in bigger farms and how that treatment
affects your body. The day I finished that book, I cleaned out my
cupboard and fridge.

I know that the vegan lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and I also know that
there is a lot of controversy on if it is truly healthy. I do focus on
getting the main vitamins and minerals such as B12, calcium, iron and
protein, but I now can live a life of not being in pain, or with my new
knowledge, the guilt of what I eat. I also feel that being a vegan has
given me the opportunity to really spread the word on a healthy lifestyle.

When I came to Haven it was the usual, people being curious and, slightly
afraid of my ideas on healthy living. The last year and a half has been
exciting and challenging, not wanting to step on toes of fellow coworkers
AND guests, but also wanting to spread my passion for wellness. Diana
approached me about this idea in December about taking her vegan for a
week, and my first reaction was thinking it was a joke. After long
discussions and her excitement on the idea, my excitement grew as well!

I hope that reading Diana’s blog not only gets you excited to follow her
journey, but also gets your excited to start your own. It doesn’t have to
necessarily be vegan, maybe just Meatless Monday’s or trying out new types
of dairy-free milk or new fruits and veggies. Any little change that can
bring wellness
to your home means that we as a community are on the right path.

Diana:

I should start by telling you that I am a carnivore and have always been.
I also love to cook with all the traditional staples: butter, eggs, cheese
and so on. Another fact about me: my kids raise beef and pork! One of my
great pleasures is to cook for family and friends. I occasionally like to
bring treats into work for all the girls at Haven Salon and Spa, cookies
and cakes have always been the biggest hits.

About a year and a half ago a bright and wonderful young women named Megan
joined our team. Her life choices are very different then my traditional
way of thinking; Megan is a vegan.
Now I nearly had a nervous break down trying to make something that she
could eat, which is nothing with a face or came from a face, so pretty
much everything I know!  After several cooking attempts I just brought her
a juice!

What’s been great about having Megan on our team is she only brought a new
passion to the spa, but also her wonderful ideas to help Haven promote
health and wellness. This has been awesome because that is one of our
missions at Haven, inspiring our community through beauty and wellness.
Megan tries to do little things to inspire the team such as posting fun
facts in the break room.

So curiosity has won me over and I’ve asked Megan to help me go vegan for a
week. Talk about out of my comfort zone! She has taken me grocery shopping with a few recipes
for me to cook myself, with a lot of ingredients I’ve never heard of or
attempted to use.

Stay tuned for the updates of Diana’s adventure into the vegan world.

How to Conceal Acne like a Pro – (and why you shouldn’t use your under eye concealer over acne)

Have you ever tried to conceal a blemish only to find that it drew even more attention to your latest breakout? Jane Iredale’s Zap&Hide is the product that you need. The key is making sure that you choose the proper concealer for your skin tone, a general rule of thumb is to choose a color that is a shade or two lighter than your foundation.  The next step is to determine what type of concealer you need.  In most cases, the concealer you use to cover a blemish should not be the same as the concealer that you use to cover those under eye circles.  Here’s why:

If you have fine lines or wrinkles in your eye area, you want to use a concealer that is moisturizing and nourishing.  If you use a concealer that is too drying or chalky it will enhance those fine lines and make you look older or tired.  Similarly, if you use a concealer that is too moisturizing over a blemish, you will make it worse.

Jane Iredale just reformulated the Zap&Hide Blemish Concealer.  I absolutely love this product – it’s so easy to use.  Zap&Hide is a double-ended blemish treatment stick that will conceal while it heals and leave skin looking radiant. Zap is a clear stick containing beneficial antiseptic and anti-inflammatory botanicals, while Hide is a highly pigmented, creamy concealer to cover the blemish.

Simply apply Blemish Balm, the clear side, to the blemish, then apply Blemish Concealer and feather the edges.  That’s it!  Zap&Hide is powerful and effective, but gentle enough to be used as often as needed. Keep your skin looking fresh and clean all day long!

What are your greatest challenges with concealer and foundation?  I would love to hear from you!  Join the conversation by leaving a comment below and be sure to pick up your perfectly matched shade of Zap&Hide from Haven.

All in the Family

Do you have a favorite Aveda product? Whether this product gives you shine, curl, volume,  or heat and sun protection it works to provide your desired style.

You can maximize the way your favorite product amps up your hair by using the entire family instead of just an individual product.

Most Aveda products are created in families, or lines of product, that work best when they are used together.

These products have been designed to give you perfect hair after product collaboration. Here are a few of our favorite Aveda families:

For smooth, shiny hair try the Smooth Infusion Family.

• Cleanse/Condition: Smooth infusion shampoo and conditioner
• Foundation: Smooth infusion style-prep smoother
• Structure: Smooth infusion glossing straightener

For curly, frizz-free hair try the Be Curly Family.

• Cleanse/Condition: Be curly shampoo and conditioner
• Foundation: Be curly style prep
• Structure: Be curly curl enhancer

For hair with body and volume try the Pure Abundance Family.

• Cleanse/Condition: Pure abundance volumizing shampoo and conditioner
• Foundation: Pure Abundance style prep (new!)
• Texture: Pure abundance hair potion

To protect and preserve your hair color try the Color Conserve Family.

• Cleanse/Condition: Color conserve shampoo and conditioner
• Weekly treatment: Color conserve strengthening treatment
• Foundation: Color conserve daily color protect

To restore moisture and repair damaged hair try the Damage Remedy Family.

• Cleanse/Condition: Damage remedy restructuring shampoo and conditioner
• Weekly treatment: Damage remedy intensive restructuring treatment
• Foundation: Damage remedy daily hair repair

Ask your Haven stylist to recommend the Aveda family that will work best for your hair or stop in and pick up the rest of the pieces you need to make a happy family!

Laser at Haven

Are you looking for a laser treatment but enjoy the relaxing comfort of the spa atmosphere? The Cosmetic Laser Center offers you that perfect combination by preforming treatments at Haven Salon and Spa and providing guests the expert laser treatments.

Aaron and Cherie Gabrieles own the Cosmetic Laser Center of WI and have been in the business for over ten years. They travel to eight locations throughout the state and we are so happy that Haven is one of them!

At The Cosmetic Laser Center our goal is to provide corrective clinical skin care for the most difficult skin conditions, as well as provide preventative clinical skin care to prolong the health and beauty of your skin. Whatever your needs are, our desire is to provide you with state-of-the-art, goal-oriented, result-producing skin care throughout your lifetime.

Creating beautiful skin does not happen overnight. Looking for quick fixes will often leave you dissatisfied and disappointed. Creating beautiful skin will take time and commitment.

We utilize a philosophy that recognizes that your skin is a reflection of many different factors: genetic predisposition, diet, exercise, external factors such as sun exposure and skin care products. We will work with you to identify factors that are detrimental to the health and aging process of your skin. We will create a plan and set a goal that will, with perseverance, help you achieve the most beautiful skin you can. We will monitor your progress through photographs and charting and adjust your skin care according to your progress.

At The Cosmetic Laser Center, your treatments will be performed by owners not employees. We do not utilize high pressure sales but rather give you all the information you need to make a fully informed decision about your skin care treatments.

The Cosmetic Laser Center uses advance treatments to help a variety of skin conditions. To learn more information about treatment of hair removal, teeth whitening, cellulite, sun damage, skin tightening, lines/wrinkles, acne scars, acne, hyperpigmentation, and facial veins visit their website.

To schedule a complimentary, obligation-free consultation with The Cosmetic Laser Center call 1-866-344-8244.

Cover up Un-washed Hair with an Easy Do

Bumble and bumble stylist Q. Ellis-Lee created an easy do-it-yourself look for Refinery29.com, Bb says it’s perfect for the summer days you spend at music festivals. Whether you haven’t washed your hair for a few days or you just want it off your neck, this is a simple style that will keep your hair washing secrets while making you look glam.

Follow these simple steps that Refinery29.com‘s Megan McIntyre created after Q taught the trend:

Photographed by Guang Xu

Start off by emulsifying a dime-sized amount of Bumble and bumble Color-Minded Styling Balm in your hands, then run it through your strands. Q says that by coating your hands in the balm, you’ll get the most even coverage. The balm has UV protection in it, so it will help protect your mane from the sun, as well as adding a small amount of hold and shine. It also keeps your hair moisturized, so it’s not all dry and full of flyaways.

Once your hair has been properly “balmed,” use your fingers to create a slightly messy, deep side-part. You want to lift and “scoop” your hair at the root as you pull it back to help create a bit of extra volume.

Starting on the side of your

head that has the most hair,

begin rolling your hair in towards your head, gathering in more as you go. When you get to your ear, place a pin downwards into the roll to help secure. You want your roll to be volumized and a bit loose, but not falling out, so if you have thick strands you might need to use more than one.

Continue rolling until you get to the nape of your neck, then place another pin at the end of the roll. Repeat on the opposite side.

Gather the two loose sections of hair at the back of your

head into a ponytail and secure with a hair bungee. You can use an elastic, but Q says he prefers using the bungee as it is easier to position and wrap.

Take your ponytail and twist it until it bends upwards into a roll.

Continue rolling up until all the hair is in this loose chignon, then pin the ends of your hair at the base of the neck to hide them and anchor the style.

To add a little bit of festival flair, take a fresh flower and trim the stem so it is about an inch or two long. Take a bobby pin and attach it to the flower, then push the pin into your hair at the base of the chignon.

Try this look at home or ask your Haven stylist to style your hair using the summer look from Bb. stylist Q. Visit Haven to pick up any Bumble and bumble products you need.

The Many Uses of Moroccanoil

If you asked us our favorite product it would be hard to choose; however, we couldn’t deny that we LOVE the Moroccanoil Treatment.

Why do we love the Moroccanoil Treatment so much?

• All hair types can use it (yes, even those with fine and light-colored hair!)
• It’s versatile, use it on damp or dry hair
• It adds shine while also promoting healthy hair
• It’s residue-free so it can be used as a conditioning, styling, and finishing tool.

Moroccanoil says it best:

Moroccanoil Treatment transforms hair so completely because it’s a formula that brings back lost proteins for strength; fatty acids, omega-3 oils and vitamins for shine; and antioxidants for protection. It absorbs instantly to fill gaps in hair made by heat, styling and environmental damage. Hair goes from brittle and broken to strong adn flexible. From rough and frizzy to brilliantly shiny, smooth and manageable–the perfect starting point for effortless styling.

To use this product apply a dime size amount to towel dried hair working from mid-length to ends. After the hair is dry the Moroccanoil Treatment can be used to tame fly-aways and further condition dry ends.

Insider tip: Use Moroccanoil on just-shaved legs to restore moisture and make them shine!

We love Moroccanoil and we’re sure that you will too! Pick up your bottle of Moroccanoil treatment from Haven and ask your stylist to use the product on your hair during your next visit.

Introducing Sarah Olson: Nail Extraordinaire

We are pleased to introduce the newest member of our team, Sarah Olson, licensed manicurist. With Sarah’s bubbly personality and expert skill we know you’ll be pleased you met her too!

Sarah graduated from Martin’s College of Cosmetology in Madison in February of 2007. After working as a nail technician at Sundara Inn and Spa in Wisconsin Dells for three and a half years, a recent move located Sarah in the Green Bay area. We are so happy she found Haven.

After retiring as a massage therapist Sarah knew she wanted to stay in the industry and returned to school to become a nail technician. She found the nail world is much better suited to her personality and passion. Sarah says she loves doing nails because “It gives me a chance to be creative.”  Sarah continues to explain why nails are the perfect fit for her: “Getting your nails done is not just a manicure for my guests, it’s an opportunity to relax while enjoying a good conversation.” Sarah is a people person, she loves coming to an energizing environment every day where she can be social and pamper others.

Sarah’s specialties are pedicures and extended wear manicures. She is trained in a variety of products including Aveda and OPI gelcolor. Along with Sarah’s love for the beauty industry because of it’s ever changing trends, Sarah is a fashionista and stiletto shoe addict. Admitting to owning over 50 pairs, Sarah confesses that she can’t say no to any stiletto from Candies or Steve Madden. Her favorite pair: sassy slingbacks that are pink with rose-gold glitter.

Sarah is excited to be at Haven. Our team based company and positive environment is a great match for her. “Who doesn’t want to come to work everyday eager to see her friends, reconnect with guests, and meet new people? I know I do!” Sarah says.

To schedule a manicure or pedicure with Sarah or any of our other stylists call Haven at (920)339-1111.

Stress-fix

Aveda’s new stress-fix aromaology is exactly what you need if you’re finding that daily stresses are taking over your life. Read what Aveda has to say about their new stress-fix line:

Stress can really take its toll on your physical, emotional and spiritual health. At Aveda, we turn to Ayurveda, a 5,000 year-old healing tradition from India, and western science to find 21st century solutions for the stress we experience every day.  Both teach us that the power of touch, breath and aromaology can be combined to create quick and easy wellness rituals you can do at home to give yourself the mental, physical and emotional break your body needs.

Stress-fix^TM body lotion, concentrate and soaking salts are all Ecocert certified organic. Their aroma, infused with French lavender, lavandin and clary sage from organic farms, is clinically proven to relieve feelings of stress.

At Haven we offer 3 stress-fix products: stress-fix body lotion, stress-fix concentrate, and stress-fix soaking salts. The body lotion is perfect for those who type often or have other repetitive hand movements during the day. The concentrate  comes in a portable roller-ball so you can carry it with you and relieve stress at any time of the day. The soaking salts were made for rejuvenating baths. Light an Aveda candle and let the soaking salts get to work!

We also offer a stress-fix body massage, which is clinically proven to reduce feelings of stress. Haven’s Spa Manager, Diana Klevesahl, likes how the techniques used in the stress fix massage allows for deeper work to be done especially in the rotator cuff and spine area. Also, these massage techniques use the pressure point triggers to find relaxation through the head, neck, and face. Diana says,

The combination of the lavender, clary sage, and frankincense aromas soothe the body so  the massage can strip the muscles of stress and leave you feeling fully rejuvenated.

Do you want to experience life stress free? Stop at Haven to pick up the stress-fix products and schedule your stress-fix massage to start your journey towards rejuvenation. We know you’ll be glad you did.

You are What You Eat

Haven promotes total body wellness. This means along with looking great, we believe its important to feel great too, both on the inside and outside.

Total body wellness starts with how you treat your body. Are you managing your stress? Do you get enough physical activity? Do you eat foods that will help instead of harm your digestive system?

Your face is one of the most obvious places that all of your daily stresses and lifelong decisions show. Celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder shares her tips for the secrets that face mapping can reveal. Watch Snyder on a clip from Today to hear the 6 foods everyone should be eating to create healthy, radiant skin.

If you are searching to improve your skin start with a diet makeover like Snyder suggests. Also, schedule your own complimentary face mapping session with one of Haven’s aestheticians or a book a facial and jump start your new skin regimen.

Everyone deserves glowing skin, just remember, you are what you eat!