Pamper day left me armed with the knowledge to change my life - for the better (From The Northern Echo)

Pamper day left me armed with the knowledge to change my life - for the better

4:24pm Wednesday 10th August 2011 in Health

Ruth Campbell came away from a pamper day with a difference armed with the knowledge to help change her life – and her nails – for the better.

BEING pampered is all well and good. But then you have to return to the humdrum stresses and strains of everyday life, without the essential oils, scented candles and personal masseuse on hand to ensure you remain in tip-top condition at all times.

Where my pamper day at Swinton Park, near Masham, in North Yorkshire, differed from the rest is that I didn’t just come away feeling momentarily good. I left this luxurious castle hotel, set in 200 acres of parkland, lakes and garden, with something much more long-lasting and worthwhile.

Of course I enjoyed the neck and shoulder massage, manicure, a delicious lunch and relaxation time in the spa. But what I gained from my nutritional therapy session and healthy cookery demonstration and talk will help me to feel so much better for longer.

This Swinton Park Wellness Day is a gift, as the Americans say, that keeps on giving.

I had to fill in a detailed health and lifestyle questionnaire for nutritional therapist Kate Chaytor-Norris before the event. And it was clear, during my one-hour consultation with her, that she had done her homework.

Yes, some of the things she highlighted, such as that I drink far too much coffee, may seem pretty obvious. But there are times when the pretty obvious needs to be stated. Otherwise, I might continue to ignore it.

I hadn’t connected my low energy levels in the evenings with my monstrously high caffeine levels. Kate explained the workings of my body so clearly and logically that the direct effect of my diet on how I was feeling suddenly made perfect sense.

As well as encouraging me to gradually reduce the number of coffees I drink, while increasing my consumption of naturally decaffeinated redbush tea, she gave me useful advice on balancing my blood sugar levels, another cause of low energy.

My craving for sugar at certain times was addressed and she pointed out that my diet lacked enough of the sort of vegetables, such as broccoli, kale and spring greens, as well as sulphurous foods, including radishes, cherries and mustard, to help support the liver. Essential fats, found in oily fish and nuts and seeds, were another thing I should be having more of.

When chef Robert Taylor came to cook us a delicious lunch, it was as if he had me in mind.

His recipes contained exactly what I needed.

Like magic, Robert transformed all the theory about nutritional foods and balanced diets into a delicious and stunning looking threecourse meal in front of our eyes. And as he cooked, he and Kate expanded on the various ingredients and benefits.

Quinoa, a protein-rich seed I had never come across before, was dry-roasted in a pan before being cooked with spinach and chickpeas, dried cherries and orange to create a dish so delicious it tasted as if it shouldn’t be good for you. This was followed by a lovely spicy Whitby mackerel dish, which was quick and easy to cook.

The hot baked cinnamon and almond bananas with dark chocolate and creme fraiche was so good I cooked it for the children for supper that night – so it wasn’t just me who benefited from Robert’s expertise.

In between these enlightening sessions, we enjoyed the luxury of chilling out in the relaxation room where, along with a huge stack of glossy magazines, there was a constant supply of healthy smoothies, fresh fruit and herbal teas and water.

We were able to enjoy some down time in the Jacuzzi and sauna, located in a quiet conservatory area which only a few people use at a time, making it much more peaceful and relaxing than so many larger spas.

There are also walking and running tracks in the grounds of the estate, the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton, which guests can use.

Not feeling quite that energetic, I opted instead for the detox neck, shoulder and back massage, which comes as part of the Wellness Day package, although I’m not sure if it did anything to detox me. Still, I wasn’t complaining.

I almost went for a pedicure, since my short, brittle, bitten nails were, I thought, beyond redemption.

But my therapist, Vicky, persuaded me to have a manicure instead, pointing out that even though my nails were short, it would strengthen them, making them easier to grow.

And she was right.

I am still enjoying the benefits of better nails, many weeks on. This Wellness Day is definitely a gift that keeps on giving.

• Swinton Park, Masham, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 4JH. Tel: 01765-680900 enquiries@swintonpark.com.

• Wellness Days cost £90 per person. The maximum number attending a day is six.

The days will be running on: Tuesday, September 13; Tuesday, October 11 and Tuesday, November 15.

Getting enough sleep this summer?

HOT nights, holidays, and travelling can play havoc with our sleeping patterns, and our children’s. Sleep expert Sammy Margo, author of The Good Sleep Guide, gives her top tips to ensure you don’t lose sleep this summer.

ON THE PLANE

Problem: Can’t sleep sitting upright.

Solution: Change into cosy, pyjama-like clothing, and have a pashmina or throw to give you an extra layer of warmth. Stick to your bedtime routine, so brush your teeth and read if that’s what you always do.

Recline your seat, stretch your legs and use a neck pillow, eye mask and ear plugs.

CAMPING

Problem: Can’t get comfortable.

Solution: Invest in a ground sheet to keep moisture at bay, a blow-up mattress and choose the right sleeping bag for the season.

Problem: Severe temperatures and light.

Solution: Camp in the shade so extreme light and heat doesn’t blast you awake at sunrise. An eye mask is handy to shield your eyes and wear light layers, which you can add to or take off as needed.

Problem: Nature and neighbours keeping you awake.

Solution: Use nature as white noise and camp next to a babbling brook or lapping seashore, which will have a calming effect.

HOTEL

Problem: Can’t get used to a different bed.

Solution: Ask for a quiet room and test out the bed out as soon as you arrive. If you think it’ll cause problems, ask to change rooms. Consider packing a travel pillow and keep the room as dark as possible.

TOP TIPS FOR TIRED TOTS

Action figure: Get the kids out playing in daylight for at least an hour a day. This helps them to feel tired by bedtime and they’ll sleep more deeply at night.

Woolly wonka: Invest in a woollen bed cover for camping and hotels. It’s lightweight, keeps kids warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather.

Evening eats: Banana mashed with warm milk and honey is the perfect combination to help a child prepare for sleep.

Ritual ready: Set up a simple pre-sleep ritual at home (bath time, get ready for bed and then read a story) and keep it up over the holiday. This is known to speed up the time it takes for a child to get to sleep and improve the length of sleep.

Dark night: The room should be as close to complete darkness as possible, and keep a bathroom light on dim if your child needs to get up in the middle of the night.

• The Good Sleep Guide, £10.99, and The Good Sleep Guide For Kids, £10.99, both by Sammy Margo, published by Vermilion.

Available now.