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Centuries ago, European explorers, and missionaries in the Amazon region took the tasty fruit to Africa, Asia, India and the tropical regions of the pacific. The fruit varies, guavas can be round, oval or pear shaped, can be white, pink, yellow, orange or red.  The fruit is pungent and sweet, containing lots of small edible seeds. The fruit should be soft and creamy and has an edible skin/rind.  The leaves are a dull green with a leathery texture with pronounced veins, underside of the leaves are little downy and when crushed release an aromatic small.

Guava is rich in tannins, phenols, triterpene, flavonoids, essentials oils, saponins, carotenoids., lectins, vitamins, fiber and fatty acids. This fruit is higher in vitamin C than citrus fruits. Guavas like apples are a good source of pectin (a soluble fiber) helping to lower cholesterol and encouraging detoxification. The flavonoid quercetin is attributed with much of the plants active properties, besides being anti-bacterial it relaxes the smooth muscle and inhibits bowel contractions.

The guava fruit and juice has been researched and documented as having a positive effect on lowering blood sugar levels in diabetic animals and humans.  It has been suggested that anyone with hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) should not eat much of this fruit. The juice of the guava fruit is very good for children with diarrhea, even safe for quite young children. For infants and children just one cup of guava juice is helpful for diarrhea.  For adults it is better to take the infusion of leaves.

Guava is also known to kill bacteria, fungi, yeast, fights free-radials, reduces spasms and helps lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. In research guava has been demonstrated as a cardiac depressant and should be taken with caution by anyone on heart medication.

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Boquete, land of fresh air, crystal mountain springs, the best coffee, amazing flowers, beautiful rivers, and of course plenty of rainbows. The Haven Spa and Hotel is just minutes walking distance from all the facilities Boquete has to offer, yet it feels like you are far away in a quite oasis.

The Haven Spa and Hotel is set in a tranquil location where you can just unwind and de-stress or have treatments, get fit, get healthy, or just a hotel room. A world of choices awaits you. The owners of the Haven are from Britain with a vast experience in treating various conditions. An International team of practitioners and instructors from Britain, Australia, Panama and North America.

The Haven Spa and Hotel Facilities include -

Gym with huge full length windows all with views facing into the garden and creek. Racquet Ball Court, Exercise Pool, Jacuzzi,Infrared sauna (for a superior detox). Treatments rooms, Hotel rooms, Meeting room, Relaxation areas - inside and outside, A store – all sorts of healt hy and natural products.

Plus – Fitnes s classes, Workshops and Courses

Memberships to the fitness side – Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Yearly

Memberships to the relaxation side - Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Yearly

Clinic Treatments The treatments at the Haven are varied from acupuncture to deep tissue massage, joint and muscle work to naturopathic consultations and reflexology.

Day Health clinic and spa – anyone can book an appointment for the spa and health clinic. You do not need to be a member or a hotel quest to have treatments.

Spa Treatments If you are looking for a purely ‘spa pamper experience’ then look no further. There are a large variety of treatments you can choose from, to make your experience a memorable one. Facials using natural organic products to aromatherapy or hot stone massage and so much more we have a full menu of treatments to choose from.

Be it a one off treatment, a day, a week-end, a week or a month – rest assured our years of experience and dedication to health and pampering will be evident.

A one off treatment – a package – a program – fitness member – tranquility member – hotel stay – or simply come over and chill for day.

Languages at the Haven – most speak English and Spanish, Italian, and a little German.

00 507 730 9345 info@boquetespa.com or admhaven@gmail.com

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The perfect temperature all year round means we don’t have to live in an artificial (unnatural) atmosphere of either air-conditioning or central heating. Good for our health and our pocket. It is true though, that at certain times of the year you will need a dehumidifier in areas where little air circulates for instance in your dressing room/closet.

The pace of life. Don’t be fooled into thinking it could be boring! There seems to be a balance between socializing, nature, tranquillity, and pursuits like white water rafting or taking an ATV into the mountains. Life here is as fast or as slow as you want to make it. Finding like minded people, making friends and having fun is easy. As we all know having fun and ‘a laugh’ is really healthy.

Back in the US, Canada, and Europe, there is a growing movement back to naturally reared grass-fed beef. At a premium price of-course, and places like Trader Joe just can’t get enough of it. It is a much healthier meat, raised in the way nature intended. Here in Boquete and Panama in general grass-fed beef is everywhere, reared naturally, the fillet steak is particularly good. This naturally reared grass-fed beef is much higher in vital nutrients and lower in saturated fats.

There are good doctors (speaking English) and good surgeons at the local hospitals in this area of Panama, plus medical insurance is cheap. There is a new ambulance in town. You can find really good dentists in the area, and you’ll be happy with the work and the cost

What about health alternatives? The Haven Spa and Alternative Health Clinic with internationally trained practitioners, has been in Boquete for nearly three years now. The clinic specializes in chronic conditions like arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, joint problems, skin problems and so much more. The practitioners consist of acupuncturists, naturopath/nutrition specialist, reflexologist, physiotherapists, chiropractor, joint and sports injury specialists and so much more. Besides being a clinic the Haven is also a spa where you can get therapeutic treatments that just are a pure pleasure, like aromatherapy wraps that can help to address health issues, to massages proven to improve your health, there are many different ones to choose from – hot stones to lymphatic drainage. The Haven is found in two different locations in Boquete.

Fresh fruit and vegetable that have not been flown around the world to get to you. Enzyme rich papaya and pineapple are always available and extremely cheap. But more importantly these fruits are full of highly beneficial enzymes, highly beneficial especially as we get older. Pineapple contains an enzyme known as bromelain, it’s anti-inflammatory and helps to ease joint aches, as well as enhancing digestion. Bromelain is present in all parts of the pineapple (Ananas comosus), but the stem contain the most and is used to produce the enzyme commercially. Pineapples have had a long tradition as a medicinal plant among the natives of South and Central America.

Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that helps to break down protein, so it will help with digestion. Papaya can be used on simple insect bites, as the enzymes will break down the venom. Also a fresh papaya mashed and used as a face mask is fantastic, the enzymes digest the surface dead cell revealing a glowing skin.

Borojo found in Panama and Colombia grown organically and highly prised by the indigenous Indians.

Borojo – This highly nutritious fruit is known in Columbia and Panama as “The Natural Viagra”. However, it can be consumed by both men and women for its many other medicinal properties. Research at the University of Santiago in California, has shown an abundance of a chemical called sesquiterpelantond, which inhibits the cell growth in harmful tumors. After detailed analysis, the Borojo fruit has proved to be a superior natural energizer. Many researchers and European businesses are focusing on this fruit right now. Borojo is known to have a very high percentage of phosphorus. This element is excellent for brain function, such as memory and concentration. Borojo has one of the highest levels of water-soluble B vitamins and protein among fruits! The high levels of vitamins, minerals and proteins found in this fruit make it an excellent supplement and general tonic for anyone. The Borojo fruit is collected once it falls to the ground as this indicates its full maturity. The fully ripened fruit has a consistency much like a very thick paste.  It has shown to have excellent results in balancing blood sugar levels, in controlling arterial hypertension (High Blood Pressure), hormone balance and much, much more. The Borojo fruit tastes very pleasant. Here are some of the properties and benefits of borojo – High energy and protein source, Natural aphrodisiac, The high phosphorus content stimulates cellular activity promoting hormone generation for all types, Helps to maintain normal blood pressure, Fortifies DNA and RNA structures and helps cellular regeneration, Stabilizes blood sugar levels, Improves estrogen production in women and Immune function. It’s local, organic and available from the clinic in bottles.

Noni leaf tea – organic and grown here in Panama. It will surprise you, it takes good. The LEAF was used traditionally more than any other part of the noni plant. However, these days the fruit and its juice are the best known internationally and how bad the fruit smells and taste. However, the remarkable properties of the leaf are equally valued, the taste and smell is good, unlike the fruit! There is no comparison. Studies have shown the leaf to be the most nutrient-rich part of the plant, containing health promoting nutrients including phyto-chemicals, antioxidants and bio-flavonoids. Rich in a number of vitamins and minerals – phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin K1, niacin and more. Rich in plant sterols, protein, glycosides, and anthraquinones. The leaf has many benefits when taken regularly – will protect us from toxins and pollutants, encourage the body to detox, helps prevent the premature onset of age-related diseases, boosts our immune defenses, reduces our risk of developing cancer, aids in better digestion and assimilation, helps to cleanse our intestinal system in a very mild way, inflammation and pain relief, has mild anti-bacterial properties, helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Safety - if you are pregnant or nursing I would avoid drinking this tea for now. If you are pregnant a very good tea for you would be ‘raspberry leaf tea’. To make the tea – 1 tsp per 8 ounces of water, (increase the amount depending on how much you decide to drink for instance 3 tsp per 24 ounces), of room temperature /tepid water, set a side for a few hours or overnight. Strain, cool and drink as ice tea with lemon or warm up. Or make by pouring boiled water over the leaves and steep for 5 minutes. Add a little cold pressed honey or Stevia (a natural no-calorie plant sweetener), only if necessary. This is also available from the clinic.

The organic movement in Panama is growing, more and more farmers are getting certified. A friend of mine is working tirelessly to make it all happen here in Panama. She has a business in Panama City called Organica working with farmers from every remote corner of Panama.

Last but not least the altitude here is very healthy for us, as I am sure you have read many times before. A higher altitude seems to encourage a longer healthier life. However, too high is not better, it has been found that living in an altitude of over 4,000 meters actually speeds up aging. This would be in the Andes, Alps, Rockies, or Himalayas. The town of Boquete is approximately 1,200 meters well within a healthy height. You would have to live on top of Volcan Baru (3,475 meters) to get close.

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Regain Your Competitive Edge       Stay on Top of the Job

Objective – to learn how to deal with stress in a practical way, increase your general levels of energy, vitality and improve your health and business performance.

A small investment now will pay off dividends in the long run.

Program – While everyone has stress to deal with, most people see them as emotional stresses based on work, home life and or financial pressures. A huge amount of stress can and does come from the physical in the form of pain or being tired from not sleeping well, or digestive stress. I am sure you have been in situations where your energy levels are low, your neck or back is killing you, your headache is dragging you down, increasingly the physical and the emotional stress together become intolerable and staying focused and rational is difficult. Under these conditions people do not work very dynamically or positively. People often eat food that robs them of energy and causes immense stress’s within the system, this is often in the form of internal inflammation or poor organ function. This can result in low energy, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, palpitations, aches and pains and much more.

Within the executive health program each client will be seen for an individual assessment, their objectives are assessed and a view is taken of their health issues. The Haven team of International practitioners get together to talk through the best course of action for each client that might include -

• showing you how to improve your lifestyle
• treatments  for stress and pain reduction
• advice on posture and natural pain relief
• advice on low stress performance diet
• agree an appropriate fitness regime

This approach will help to improve your mental and physical energy so you can perform at a high level at work. This is a practical and intuitive approach to the problem of stress and under performing in the work place. We show you how to give your body the resources to handle and cope with stress more efficiently. We do not tell people to work less or take it easier – this usually results in making the situation more stressful. We do give you the know-how and the tools so you and your body can deal with the stress of work more effectively and efficiently.

The trick is to get help to earlier rather than later, before your health deteriorates too much.

The Program is a 2 nights stay includes a light breakfast

• An in -depth individual health assessment
• A structural assessment to assess pain and flexibility
• 3 treatments and appropriate advice
• Written report of the new lifestyle recommendations
• Time to enjoy some other activities in Boquete

Low season $781.00 single occupancy and double occupancy is add $594.00

High season $831.00 single occupancy and double occupancy is add $635.00

A second non-participant inquire for price, the executive can bring their wife/partner to participate in a completely different program or enjoy the use of the spa and facilities.

Regain that competitive edge

This program suits the individual executive or the company who would like to enhance their management team’s performance.

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They are native to Europe, Asia and the Americas. The Romans took them to Britain and cultivated them in their gardens, where now they grow prolifically like a common in many areas of the country. Generally they grow in patches in a more shady area and some produce flowers.

As we all know these leaves sting and leave a temporary red rash. It’s the hollow hairs on the leaves which contain an irritating chemical called “formic acid” which causes that sting. These hairs break easily (as they are fragile and brittle) when barely touched and release their chemical. The sting is fierce and animals avoid these stinging nettles, they know instinctively.  In other parts of the world like Asia, some varieties of stinging nettles can irritate your skin for months, ouch.

To remove or destroy this sting, just dry the herb/weed or apply some heat. When harvesting stinging nettles wear rubber gloves, pick before the plant flowers. If you are going the dry the herb, wash and dry then tie the stems into bunches and hang them upside down in a dry room with plenty of ventilation. To use as spinach or in a soup, remove the leaves from their stems and wash well. Young leaves help to protect the prostate and have anti-inflammatory properties. The old tough leaves act like a laxative and diuretic. The leaves can also be frozen but freezing will not remove the sting. The plant is extremely nutritive, rich in minerals, chlorophyll, amino acids, lecithin, carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamins.

Curative properties of nettles – as diuretic, to treat anemia (contains high level of iron), helps to form and coagulate blood cells, helpful in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism, helps protects the respiratory and urinary systems, helps treat eczema and other skin disorders, useful in the treatment of benign prostate and helps sinusitis and rhinitis.

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The bacteria have pre-digested the milk in the yogurt making process, ensuring it is much easier for us to digest & absorb

the calcium from yogurt as opposed to milk. A lot of people have problems with milk, so yogurt might be a better option for calcium. It is a good source of protein especially if you are a vegetarian.

Heating yogurt too much will destroy their friendly bacteria. For this reason add the yogurt after cooking has finished.

Eating yogurt has long been associated with a long and healthy life. Also freezing will destroy some of the bacteria.

A lot of yogurt is used in Indian cooking in various dishes.

Riata

Half a cucumber, peeled, deseeded, and finely chopped

Mint finely chopped

Natural yogurt

Pepper

Add all ingredients together and leave in the fridge for a couple of hours, serve with a curr

Fresh Fruit with Natural Yogurt

Chop up loads of your favorite fresh fruit.

Place into a large bowl and add a yogurt.

Sprinkle with seeds like pumpkin and flaxseeds

Nutrition – Vitamin B2, B12, D, calcium, magnesium, potassium, protein, friendly bacteria

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The other benefit to sweet potatoes is that they do not belong to the ‘deadly night shade’ family like the ordinary potato that can increase aches and pains in those that are susceptible to arthritic type conditions.

Baked Sweet Potato

These are the orange flesh variety; wash and pierce the skin. Place in a baking dish, cover and bake in the oven for about an hour. This will depend on their size. Use instead of the normal potato and drizzle a little garlic or chili oil or rosemary oil over the sweet potato.

Nutrients – Vitamin B6, C, E, beta-carotene, folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and fiber.

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They add a lot of flavour however they are milder than onions and garlic.

Fat Burning Soup

Plenty of Leeks, sliced

Medium broccoli, chopped up

2 cloves of crushed garlic (optional)

A couple of bunches spinach

8 sticks of celery

4 tomatoes, chopped (optional)

Water or homemade vegetable stock or chicken stock 1 pint (½ liter)

Coriander seeds ground 1-2 teaspoons

Chili to taste

Culantro (cilantro) leaves, chopped

½ lemon or lime juice

Place water into a large pan – add leeks, celery, coriander seeds, chili and crushed garlic. Bring to the boil, turn down heat and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes add the rest of the ingredients and continue simmering for 15 to 20 minutes.

Leeks are a member of the onion family, they are all good for you, onions, garlic, chives etc. They can be used in stews, casseroles, soups etc. They are rich in antioxidants and have some very good cleansing properties. Leeks, like the rest of the family help to lower cholesterol, thin the blood energize the immune system, feed the nervous system, are a good diuretic and reduce inflammation.

They add a lot of flavour however they are milder than onions and garlic.

Nutrients – Vitamins B, E, K, beta-carotene, biotin, folic acid, plus calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and fiber

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juice made with beetroot, cabbage, parsley and cabbage is extremely cleansing. Go easy don’t drink too much.

In Russia beetroot has been a favorite for centuries and they have a famous soup called Borsh. This vegetable is bright red and some people find it a little too much. Urine might be a little pink after consumption.

My Borsh Soup

Beet root, peeled and chopped

Onions, chopped

Cabbage, chopped

Carrots, chopped

Potatoes, chopped

Vegetable stock

Pepper

Cinnamon

Apples chopped

Bring the ingredients to the boil, simmer until soft and the puree to a smooth consistency. Serve hot or cold.

Beet root – Grate raw beet root (wear rubber gloves). Dark green salad leaves, Some red or black grapes, halved, Salad dressing option 3

Serve with beef or chicken

Nutrients – Vitamin B3, B6, C, beta-carotene, folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and fiber.

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Eat cabbage shredded raw in salads, steamed or in stir-fries, or in soups. Maybe you are someone who avoids eating cabbage because it causes you digestive discomfort. Cooking cabbage with spices and/or herbs can help this problem a lot, for instance dill seeds or celery seeds, or fennel seeds can all help improve digestion of cabbage.

Chinese cabbage is easier to digest, if ordinary cabbage causes problems. This cabbage is half way between a cabbage and a lettuce. Excellent in salads or lightly steamed. Cabbage really is a powerful detoxifier, extremely cleansing to the upper colon. Every dieter’s soup contains cabbage! Encourages normal contractions of the bowels, prevents auto-intoxication. You can boil the cabbage in water and drink the water.

Cabbage and Carrots

Finely grated red and white cabbage

Carrots grated

½ onion finely grated

2 or 3 grated apples

1 carton of natural yogurt

Chopped fresh herbs of your choice

Crushed garlic

Ground pepper and a little salt

Place all the ingredients into a bowl and mix well.

Nutrients – Vitamin C, E, K, Beta-carotene, folic acid, calcium, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and fiber

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