Austrian mountain retreat restored me to peak functionality

_{My schedule integrated swimming in the indoor pool (CLARE HOCTER)}

Nourishing soups and delightful smoothies – my favourite was liquidised rocket, walnuts, white grapes and pear juice – had been offered if I felt peckish, while principal meals comprised tiny, exquisitely presented portions of natural regional create.

The remedy regime was drawn up from a wide assortment of spa programmes on offer you making use of items from the organic Anika assortment. Anya suggested that I start off with a detoxifying Algae Physique Wrap to stimulate the lymphatic method and restore lustre to my dry skin, followed by the Tannenhof’s signature treatment, a silver quartz hot stone massage.

The stones, of differing shapes and sizes, are sourced from the mines in the South Tyrolean valley of Pfitschtal. They are wealthy in silicon dioxide, vital minerals and uncommon gemstone crystals such as tourmaline and zircon. It is claimed that the stones “tone the connective tissues and de-acidify the body’’, whilst the professional massage is stated to stimulate the metabolic process and digestive method. The 80-minute remedy – in a space infused with “the perfume of larch and the tree of incense”, to the primal sound of drums and monochord – was an encounter to savour. I gave myself above to the warmth of the oils and the rhythmic movement of the stones on my body, floating into oblivion.

_{Hotel Tannenhof’s silver quartz sizzling stones (CLARE HOCTER)}

Every single day began with a green smoothie delivered to my room a precise thirty minutes prior to breakfast – the optimum time, apparently, to prime the digestive method. Right after a specially concocted alkaline breakfast cereal, my schedule – if you can contact it that, when the emphasis was strictly on relaxation – comprised spa therapies, individual yoga sessions, swimming in the indoor pool, enjoying the hammam or a bracing dash outside to the sauna.

In among, I chilled out in my cosy suite with its wood-burning fire and panoramic views. Every single night I immersed myself in a deep rose-petal bath with muscle-easing salts extra. I did not view Tv, check my telephone, pay attention to music or even choose up a guide. For the very first time in months, my mind was cost-free to roam.

By the end of my keep, I felt immeasurably better. But the concept of detox is, understandably, taken care of with scepticism by medical doctors, and nutritionists are sniffy about acid/alkaline diets, saying the physique maintains its pH balance irrespective.

Be that as it may possibly. I think that my quick time at the Tannenhof gave me a possibility to reconnect mind and body and often that is all that is required. I’ve had just 1 attack of pain in my encounter and jaw given that I returned. It could be coincidental, but in my guide something that leaves you re-energised and optimistic can only be good.

A five-evening detox at Hotel Tannenhof (St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria 0043 5446 30311, hoteltannenhof.net), in a suite, costs from £3,080 per couple. Bundle involves two detox knowledge therapies, two detox body wrap therapies, a reflexology massage, two yoga sessions, and two guided hikes (plus ski passes in winter season). EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies from London Gatwick to Innsbruck, a 60-minute drive from the resort. For much more details about the Austrian Tirol, go to visittirol.co.united kingdom

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Hotel Tannenhof green smoothies recipes

150g spinach

100g rocket

50g cress

1 banana

Half a lemon with peel

Water

Mix all elements in a foods processor

Or:

150g green cabbage

100g parsley

Half a mango

six dried dates

Water

Blend all ingredients in a food processor

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_{Each day began with a green smoothie (CLARE HOCTER)}

Mealtimes at Hotel Tannenhof

Breakfast

Alkaline breakfast cereal

300ml almond milk

4tbsp spoons chia seed

1tbsp coconut flakes

2tbsp spoons coconut chips

Fruit of your decision (eg, banana, raspberry, mango)

Lunch

Zucchini carpaccio with mango, followed by prawn and tomato tagliolini with rucola, and a buckwheat and strawberry dessert.

Dinner

Tomato carpaccio with roasted tofu and pine nuts, followed by king oyster mushrooms with avocado and langostino, turbot, artichoke and black truffle, with a dessert of rhubarb, yoghurt and oats.

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twenty alkaline superfoods to boost your wellbeing

Avocado (nutritional vitamins E and B, potassium)

Pumpkin (omega 3 and 6 fats, nutritional vitamins A, B and C)

Potato (vitamin C, iron, magnesium and potassium)

Amaranth seeds (high amounts of the amino acid lysine)

Celery (calcium, vitamin B, aids digestion)

Celeriac vitamins B, C, K, iron, calcium and antioxidants)

Kale (one of the most nutritious of all food items)

Almonds (substantial in protein, zinc, vitamin E)

Carrot (calcium, magnesium, vitamin A)

Quinoa (calcium, rich in protein)

Beetroot (nutrient wealthy, lowers blood strain)

Oils (olive, hemp, pumpkin and other nuts and seeds)

Broccoli (vitamin C, calcium, dietary fibre)

Ginger (potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous)

Watermelon, mango and papaya (vitamin C)

Fennel (vitamin C, potassium, manganese and fibre)

Figs (vitamin B and K, iron, potassium and magnesium)

Coconut water (antioxidant)

* Taken from The Alkaline Cure: Shed Excess weight, Achieve Power and Truly feel Young by Dr Stephen Domenig (£14.99, Modern Books)

Austrian mountain retreat restored me to peak functionality