Happy Saturday! How’s your weekend going so far??
Mine’s been great! Last night, I did something I hadn’t in quite a long time– I used the steam sauana! I know, I know– I’m probably crazy for choosing to sit somewhere HOTTER than my own apartment! But, I really want to get back on the sauna-wagon, because I think it’s SO good for you!!
I first learned about the benefits of sitting in the sauana when I read UltraMetabolism, by Dr. Mark Hyman. According to Dr. Hyman,
“If you don’t detoxify, your ability to lose weight decreases as you lose weight because of the negative effects of the released toxins on thyroid function.”
Also from UltraMetabolism:
Regular use of a sauna or steam bath may impart a similar stress on the cardiovascular system [as exercise], and its regular use may be as effective as a means of cardiovascular conditioning and burning calories as exercise.
-W. Dean, “Effect of Sweating,”
The Journal of the American Medical Association
Pretty cool, huh?
If nothing else, I find sitting in the sauna so relaxing! But the fact that it may help balance the autonomic nervous system, reduce stress, lower your blood sugar, help burn calories, and excrete pesticides and heavy metals through your skin is icing on the cake, if you ask me! 
If you’re a beginner, it’s important to not sit in the sauna too long– I don’t like to stay in there for more than 10 minutes at a time! I actually bring a sports watch with me that lights up (in case it’s dark in the sauna room), so that I can time myself. Once my 10 minutes are up, I mosey on over to the showers and turn the water on COLD. And yes, it’s kind of miserable to jump into a COLD shower with a HOT body! But it’s also supposed to be extra-beneficial for detox, so I just suck it up and get it over with. Once my body is nice and cooled down, I repeat the process! 10 more minutes in the sauna, followed by another cold shower. While you could keep going, I quit after two 10-minute sessions. I don’t want to be there all day, you know?
I feel like I do some of my best thinking while sitting in the sauna, and I feel so good when it’s all over! Don’t forget to bring PLENTY of WATER with you, though! I was really excited to bring my new stainless-steel bottle ($4 at Home Goods!) with me yesterday:
Since you’re sitting in a REALLY HOT room, you don’t want to bring a plastic bottle with you that might leach chemicals into your water! So stick with the BPA-free bottles if you can. My bottle holds 26 ounces, and I drank almost every drop! Gotta replenish all that water you’re sweating out!
Do you guys ever sit in the sauna? If not, have I convinced you to try it?? I hope so! 
After my sauna visit, I made a lovely goat cheese salad topped with my attempt at a homemade garlic-lemon vinaigrette:
The dressing was good enough, but needs some tweaking before I share it…
I ended the night by starting Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol. Anyone read it? I really reading both The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons, so I’m hoping this one is just as good! It’s set in the United States this time, so it kinda reminds me of National Treasure– a movie my husband and I both enjoyed! We kinda have a thing for Nicholas Cage, too. 
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This morning, I got to sleep in!! It felt oh, so good.
This green juice hit the spot this morning, too:
It powered me through my shopping trip at the mall today– I had to find a bridal shower gift!! My friend, Heidi, is getting married in 6 weeks, and I can’t wait for her wedding!! I could, however, use a few extra weeks to get into bridesmaid-dress-shape! My dress is very fitted, and I’m not exactly ready to rock it out quite yet… but I will be! Hopefully my No More Trouble Zones workout will whip me into shape! I have to say, I am sore today! And in a good “I-can-tell-I-worked-out” way, not in a “it-hurts-to-walk” way. I’m looking forward to more strength training tomorrow!! (doing it every-other-day, to let my muscles recover!)
Okay, I’m off to run some more errands, then I think it’s going to be a laid-back night with some streaming Netflix!
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I love saunas! We used to have one at the pool my family was members at when I was younger. I spent all of the time they would let me in there. They were very strict on how long kids can be in saunas.
Oooo I love infra red saunas! They are so good for you! We will consider getting one for ourselves when we get into our house
I love your salads doll, always look so delish!
Power shopping is something I am very good at. If I don’t power shop it takes me forever to make a decision!
xxoo
I love saunas! The gym I used to go to had one, and I would sit in there whenever I could!