Because I’ve seen so many “fantastic” weight loss ideas come and go in the past 32 years of being a natural medicine practitioner, I was skeptical about one of the newest products on the market, PGX.

I am happy to report this one is different. Before I would dream of recommending new fads to my patients, I always try them on myself first. Here’s what I knew about PGX before I started:

1. It was supposed to curb your appetite. This would be useful to me because very often I can eat a full meal and still be hungry. (I basically judge a restaurant by the criteria that if I’m still hungry after the meal is finished, and that happens a lot, I don’t go back.)
2. It was supposed to regulate your blood sugar. I assumed this meant I wouldn’t get the highs and lows of the blood sugar swings.
3. In dealing with the blood sugar issue it was supposed to reduce the glycemic response of a meal by 50%. That would mean you could eat some sugar and it wouldn’t have the big spike and crash effect. That would be great!
4. It was supposed to be a high fiber substance. That would help a lot of things.

Then I noticed who was sponsoring this supplement and weight management program. It was two Naturopathic Doctors that I had first come across about 30 years ago. They literally wrote the book on Natural Medicine. I was very impressed to see they were involved with this product. That assured me the product was natural and beneficial.

So, I tried it. I started gradually with one gel cap per meal. The affect on my appetite was almost immediate. I would miss meal time and not be hungry. And this was all with only one gel cap. I thought if I took the recommended 3 to 6 three times a day, I might totally forget to eat!

I think it gradually modifies your digestive processing and in that I felt the need for some digestive support (enzymes) at some of my meals. I also did have some bowel gas at the beginning probably for the same reasons. That usually happens when you increase fiber. Both of those effects seemed to go away as my body adapted to the high fiber.

I’ve been on the program a few weeks now and have worked my way up to two gel caps per meal. I’ve lost ten pounds. I still ate chocolate (high cocoa percentage) every day, had home baked scones and pancakes, even resumed ice cream (shh!) after about a week and a half. None of that caused my weight to bounce back up. It stayed down.

Also, as would make sense in any weight loss program, increasing exercise helps. I increased my daily walking. There is also a whey protein meal-replacement powder that basically turned into my daily lunch.

To the PGX I added a supplement to help burn abdominal fat and will start a second supplement soon to increase my metabolic rate. I’ll talk about that in my next blog.

At the Spa we now stock the PGX products. It comes in a powder or gel caps and we also have the meal replacement powders.

Volcanic ash treatments can reduce acne by pulling the oil and other substances from your skin that causes these blemishes. Treatments are also effective at reducing cellulite, sun damage, wrinkles and even stretch marks. The high mineral content of volcanic ash draws out impurities and absorbs toxins, heavy metals and other contaminants that invade the skin.

Because of its ability to protect against contaminants and pollution, sulphur slows down the aging process. Sulphur also makes up the chemical structure of four amino acids: glutathione, taurine, cysteine and methionine. Sulphur is found in hemoglobin and in the connective tissues of your body.

Volcanic ash is the main ingredient in our Volcanic Clay wrap, which is also made from China clay (also known as Kaolin), another one of nature’s most powerful detoxifiers and is especially helpful for those who have sensitive skin. This powerful clay combination is blended with an aromatic botanical elixir and generously painted on your back to embrace you with a warm, relaxing and refreshing blanket.

You will feel the effects immediately as your skin reacts to the warmth and saturation of minerals in the clay. Afterwards you will be amazed at the smooth texture of your skin and how much younger it looks and feels as well as the glow we commonly see after an application. We especially recommend a volcanic face treatment for those with skin blemishes or for anyone who wants to reduce wrinkles and have a younger, vibrant face.

Our Volcanic Clay Wrap is $125 for 60 minutes. For an additional $40 we will include a volcanic face treatment, which consists of a complete facial cleansing, scrub, mask and the most relaxing face massage.

 Refine your skin! Give us a call at 503-436-8772 and schedule a Volcanic Clay Wrap today.

My first visit to the Cannon Beach Spa was about 8 years ago when I was still a tourist dreaming about living full-time in Cannon Beach. I treated myself to a traditional Swedish massage while the grandparents took care of my then busy, bustling toddler. That massage helped make up for many hours of stress and lost sleep. I would’ve napped in the massage room if they’d have let me!

A few years later, as a bona fide Cannon Beach resident, I came to the Spa seeking pain relief through Chiropractic treatment with Dr. Krupa. He was much gentler than other chiropractors I had been to in the past, none of the snap, crackle and pop I was used to. Just gentle manipulation that brought me back into alignment and eased the pain in my neck and back.

I continue to be a Spa fan. For my last birthday, my girlfriends bought me a Hot Stone Massage. The stones were collected right from our own Indian Beach, and though it may sound a little corny, it made me feel connected to the earth, grounded if you will. It was a truly unique experience as the stones were not just placed on various points on my back, but were actually used as a massage tool! Once again, I was transported to another place for an hour (actually, it was 90 minutes!) and could’ve slept in the room all day.

For my next trip to the Cannon Beach Spa, I plan to seek some help for my asthma. According to my primary care doctor, my asthma is largely related to seasonal allergies. I’ve also noted that certain foods and drinks trigger the asthma. I would like to decrease the meds I’m taking to control the allergies and asthma, which is where the Spa comes in, with its non-invasive allergy testing and alternative healing practices from acupuncture to Chinese herbs. I’ve been scared in the past to venture into the land of many needles and have been skeptical about the use of Chinese herbs to cure what seem like highly complex health problems. But I’ve read the testimonials, done some research and finally come ‘round to a new understanding. I’m ready to embrace these “alternative” methods which in another place and time were not considered alternative at all but totally commonplace!

To visitors and residents alike, I offer this encouragement: Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation within a vacation through a luxurious spa treatment or you’re seeking a new lease on life with alternative medicine, the Cannon Beach Spa is definitely where it’s at!

For a long time, yoga was not at all appealing to me. In another chapter of my life, I was a dancer and loved being in constant motion and pushing my body hard. The idea of being still gently holding a position while breathing slowly and deeply just sounded like torture! Now, a few years later and a lot less limber, an exhausted working mother of 3, with constant stress and nagging aches and pains . . . yoga sounds great! Which is why I’m looking forward to the Cannon Beach Yoga Festival.

The simultaneously serene and powerful beauty of Cannon Beach has long attracted people seeking out spiritual, physical and mental well-being. That’s one of the reasons the Cannon Beach Spa has done so well here, and why the first ever Cannon Beach Yoga Festival should be a great success as well. The Festival runs from February 25^th through February 27th and includes a variety of workshops, meditation sessions and community gatherings. Here are just a few of the Festival offerings:

• The Roots of Pranayama: Relaxation & Breath Awareness with Julie Gudemestad
• Balancing the Chakras Through Yoga with Alan Finger & Sarah Platt-Finger
• Free Your Self: Open Your Hips & Your Heart with Tiffany Cruikshank

The Festival is open to all levels from absolute beginners (like me) who want to explore something new to experienced yogis who want to deepen their practice. There are even some unexpected offerings like Yoga Figure Drawing, the Musical Art of Raga, Magic Mirrors for Children and a Closing Ceremony around a beach bonfire (weather permitting, of course).

According to the American Yoga Association, Yoga dates back more than 5,000 years and was born out of a “desire for greater personal freedom, health and long life, and heightened self-understanding.” The word “yoga” is derived from ancient Sanskrit and means “to join or bring together.” There are many branches of Yoga practiced throughout the world today and most involve some combination of physical poses, controlled, sustained breathing and meditation to align body, mind and spirit, though some people practice yoga more for a workout than anything else.

So, if you find yourself attracted to the idea of Yoga, for whatever reason, check out the Cannon Beach Yoga Festival. It’s a place for people with open minds and open hearts seeking something healthy and fun in a remarkably apt setting! For more information visit their website, like them on Facebook (they have partnered with some local businesses to offer discounts to attendees and list those there) or call 503-440-1649 and tell them the Cannon Beach Spa sent you!

By Shanda Bonn

It almost goes without saying that Cannon Beach is a unique and special place. So special that many people come here year after year as tourists and end up as 2^nd home owners or even full-time residents. From its rugged yet graceful coastline to its art galleries, specialty boutiques and fine eateries, it’s a place that’s easy to love. And you only have to be here a short time communing with nature and the townsfolk to quickly feel the town loves you back!

Adding to the special appeal of our village is the Cannon Beach Spa, a place to enjoy a relaxing treatment like a massage, facial or wrap or to seek healing through acupuncture and other alternative treatments. Their list of services is impressive and they’ve incorporated both the finest qualities of the great European spas as well as the wisdom of ancient Eastern healing practices.

One of the things I appreciate about Cannon Beach is the way people here move at a more relaxed pace than in the city perhaps recognizing that slowing down adds years to your life. Relaxation is one way to recoup lost energy and provide downtime for your body to naturally heal itself. And a trip to the Cannon Beach Spa definitely encourages healing through relaxation and natural remedies.

Here’s a brief look at just some of the services the Cannon Beach Spa offers:

• Massage – Includes Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Hot Stone, Injury Rehabilitation.
• Hydrotherapy – Includes Wraps, Scrubs, Sauna.
• Skin Care – Includes Aroma Mini-Facial, Detox Facial for Teens, Face Lift Facial,.
• Japanese Foot Spa – Includes Foot Bath and Soak, and Reflexology.
• Acupuncture – Includes Facial Rejuvenation and treatment for acute or chronic conditions.
• Nutrition Testing – Includes testing and treatment for allergies and nutritional deficiencies, and natural remedies for fatigue, headaches, hormone imbalance and other health issues.

In addition to offering a very comprehensive array of treatments, the staff is friendly, caring, professional and discreet. They seem to understand what Cannon Beach means to both residents and visitors, and they strive to enhance the Cannon Beach experience making it truly memorable. As the only full-service spa in town, it’s a great place to go to get relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated!

When I started my nutritional practice over 30 years ago, my patients were very interested in weight loss programs so I spent considerable time in weight-loss management.  But I have to confess that over the years my enthusiasm for the effort faded.  It was tough.  It took a great amount of one-on-one time and patient compliance was usually pretty low.  I wasn’t too surprised to read some time later that a person’s odds of beating cancer are better than successfully completing a weight loss program. Sad but true.

But a few things have come to light in recent years that have helped the odds.

FAT BURNING VS. SUGAR BURNING

Your body has a choice of fuels depending on the situation.  If it’s an emergency or if the body needs energy fast, it chooses SUGAR as its fuel.  Sugar is stored mostly in the muscles and the blood stream so it’s readily available.  In any physical activity the body is trained to always burn sugar for approximately the first 12 minutes.  At that 12 minute mark the body then decides whether to keep burning sugar or to switch fuels and to start burning fat. 

How does the body make the decision to switch fuels?  It’s a function of your activity level, and the body uses your heart rate to make the decision.  If you are working or exercising at an aerobic level, the body will always choose to burn sugar.  If you are working or exercising at a slower, SUB-aerobic level, the body can take it easy and switch to burning fat. The reality is that fat burns more slowly than sugar.

So you can see what happens.  If you’re doing high energy aerobics (high heart rate) you will only burn sugar! This perfectly explains why people can do aerobics forever and still have an unhealthy percentage of body fat.  The high energy, high heart rate aerobics is only burning sugar, no fat.

The ideal heart rate for burning fat can be generated by a vigorous walk when you get about half way between your aerobic zone and your resting heart rate.  If you’re in your 30s or 40s that’s about 120, about 100 if you’re older.  There are charts that show the aerobic level and the resting level for your age that can help you determine your ideal heart rate for optimum fat burning.

And don’t forget about those first 12 minutes!  You can’t change that.  The body will always burn only sugar in that time period.  If you were to exercise for only 12 minutes at a time every hour on the hour, you would never burn an ounce of fat.  You must get beyond the 12 minute mark for the fat burning to kick in.  That’s why a long walk for an hour is a great way to get into a sustained fat burning mode.

There’s more to fat burning and weight loss, but I’ll save that for next time when I address hormone imbalance, why it causes weight gain and what you can do about it naturally.

We would like to thank you, our customers and friends, for allowing us the opportunity to serve and help you over the years. Helping to heal both our local friends and those friends who visit Cannon Beach has been our greatest joy. 

We are excited to announce both the launch of this blog and our new website. We believe this blog will become a great source of additional information for you, including education on natural healing topics, more about the Spa, Spa specials, the benefits of the services we offer and more. We encourage your comments and questions and look forward to connecting with you more. 

To sign up for occasional email updates, visit our homepage and sign up. You will also find our links there for Twitter and Facebook. 

Thanks for connecting with us and for your patronage. We appreciate you!