Travel Thursday on Emtpy Streets: Amsterdam

Amsterdam (pronounced /ˈæmstərdæm/) is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland in the west of the country. The city, which had a population of around 1 million (with suburbs) on 1 January 2008, comprises the northern part of the Randstad, the 6th-largest metropolitan area in Europe, with a population of around 6.7 million.

Its name is derived from Amstel dam, indicative of the city's origin: a dam in the river Amstel where the Dam Square is today. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded and many new neighbourhoods and suburbs were formed.
The city is the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands. Many large Dutch institutions have their headquarters there, and 7 of the world's top 500 companies, including Philips and ING, are based in the city. The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, part of Euronext, is located in the city centre. Amsterdam's main attractions, including its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, its red-light district and its many cannabis coffee shops, draw 4.2 million tourists annually.

Here is a list of tourist spots to visit once you get to Amsterdam:

Museums

* The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is the national museum of the Netherlands.
* The Erotic Museum, museum about sex and history of the Red Light Districts.
* The Van Gogh Museum specialises in works by Vincent van Gogh.
* The Stedelijk Museum specialises in modern art.
* The Rembrandt House Museum specialises in works by Rembrandt van Rijn.
* The Anne Frank House, Prinsengracht 263.
* The Hermitage Amsterdam, a dependency of the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.
* The Tropenmuseum, anthropological museum.
* The NEMO (museum), the science museum in a building that looks like a sinking ship.
* The Burcht, National Trade Unions Museum built by Hendrik Petrus Berlage.
* The Verzetsmuseum, the Amsterdam resistance museum.
* The Amsterdams Historisch Museum, Amsterdam's historical museum.
* The Allard Pierson Museum, Archaeological Museum of the University of Amsterdam.
* The Bijbels Museum, where the Bible, art and culture meet in a monument full of history.
* The Filmmuseum, Holland's museum for cinematography.
* The Joods Historisch Museum, The Jewish Historical Museum collects objects and works of art associated with the religion, culture and history of the Jews in the Netherlands and its former colonies.
* The Museum Van Loon, a home on the canal. The double-sized canal house dates from 1672.
* The Nederlands Scheepvaart Museum, museum about Dutch maritime history. Due to renovation closed from January 2007, probably until June 2009.
* The Pianola Museum.
* The Handbag Museum.
* The Kattenkabinet, museum about cats.
* The Universiteitsmuseum, the Amsterdam university museum.
* Het Schip, museum about the Amsterdam School architectural movement of the early 20th century.
* The Amsterdam Dungeon, a unique combination of a museum, theatre and an attraction park.
* Museum Geelvinck-Hinlopen, a mansion on the Herengracht, with four period rooms and a tranquil garden.
* Diamond Museum Amsterdam, a museum at the Museumplein about the history of diamonds.

Churches

* Oude Kerk (ca. 1400).
* Nieuwe Kerk (1490).
* Zuiderkerk the city's first church built specifically for Protestant services (1603-1611).
* Noorderkerk (1620-1623).
* Westerkerk, finished in 1638 after a design by Hendrick de Keyser.
* Oosterkerk, construction was completed in 1671.
* Ronde Lutherse Kerk, first round Lutheran Church- Reformed Church in the Netherlands with a copper dome.
* English Reformed Church, Amsterdam, one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam, situated right in the centre of the city.
* Sint Nicolaaskerk, neo-Renaissance and Baroque church in Amsterdam.
* De Duif.
* "Onze Lieve Heer op Zolder" - Museum Amstelkring (a church hidden in an attic).
* De papegaai, located in the busy Kalverstraat.The neogothic church was built in 1848.
* Mozes en Aäronkerk.
* Posthoornkerk.
* Amstelkerk.

Bridges
* The Magere Brug is probably the most famous draw bridge in Amsterdam.
* The Blauwe brug, which connects the Rembrandtplein area with the Waterlooplein area.
* The Python Bridge, bridge connects Sporenburg to Borneo Island and won the International Footbridge Award 2002.
* The Jan Schaeferbrug, built in 2001, straight through warehouse De Zwijger, after a design by architect T. Venhoeven

Buildings
* Royal Palace (Amsterdam), former city hall, built in 1648.
* Stopera, Cityhall and Opera.
* Kalvertoren, shopping mall located in the busy Kalverstraat.
* AEX, stock trading building.
* Beurs van Berlage, was designed as a commodity exchange by architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage.
* Centraal Station, Neo Gothic building.
* De Waag, part of the city fortifications was built in 1481-1494.
* Montelbaanstoren, the tower was built in 1512 as a part of the city fortification.
* Munttoren, the tower was built in 1619-1620 and it is the southern tower among all other ones in Amsterdam
* Pakhuis De Zwijger, built in 1933-1934 after a design by architect J. de Bie Leuveling Tjeenk, this was a warehouse for cooling perishables.
* The house with the waterfall, at the Zuiderkerkhof.
* Nieuwe Wereld, by architects Meyer and Van Schooten. The name goes back to the 1980s when squatters lived here and called their place 'End of the World'.
* Barcelona Building, building from 1993 by architect B. Albert on the Levantkade.
* Emerald Empire, building on the far end of KNSM Lane by architect J. Coenen.
* The Magna Plaza, a former post office dating back to 1899 and it was converted to a shopping mall in 1990
* The Whale, mega-apartment building by architect F. van Dongen. It took five years to complete (1995-2000).
* Skydome, 60 meter tall towerblock was designed by architect W. Arets and has 3 vertical dents.
* Lloydhotel, was built between 1917-1920 to serve as an emigrants hotel.
* Oost-Indisch Huis, Since 1606 till 1798 former headquarters of VOC (The United Dutch East Asia Company), a 17th Century Dutch trading giant.
* Rembrandt Tower, a 135 metres high skyscraper.
* Bijlmerbajes, a prison in Amsterdam near the Amstel station.

Amsterdam in winter
* Amsterdam ArenA, a football stadium in Amsterdam home to football club Ajax.
* Begijnhof, Amsterdam, one of the oldest inner courts in Amsterdam.
* The Portuguese Synagogue, impressive building was founded in 1670 by the Sephardic Jewish community.
* El Tawheed Mosque, a mosque in Amsterdam, founded in 1986.
* Homomonument, a memorial in the centre of Amsterdam commemorating all gay men and lesbians who have been subjected to persecution because of their sexual orientation.
* Millennium Tower (Amsterdam), a 97.5 metre tall (24 floor) office building in Amsterdam.
* Olympisch Stadion (Amsterdam), was built as the main stadium for the 1928 Summer Olympics. It was designed by the architect Jan Wils.
* The Amsterdam Metro, a three main lines in the metro system.
* Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (Public Library) by architect J. Coenen on Oosterdokseiland, next to Central Station. Has a wonderful view over the city.

Concert halls

* The Concertgebouw is home to the world-class symphony orchestra, the Concertgebouworkest.
* Stopera, Cityhall and Opera.
* Heineken Music Hall.
* Paradiso (Amsterdam).
* Melkweg.

Diamond factories
* Diamond polisher
* Amsterdam Diamond Centre.
* Coster Diamonds, one of the oldest diamond polishing factories in the Netherlands.
* Gassan Diamonds.
* Zazare Diamonds.

Red-light districts

There are three red-light districts in Amsterdam:

* de Wallen, which is located about the Oude Kerk
* The Singelgebied, located around the Singel and north of the Nieuwe Kerk,
* Some isolated windows along the Ruysdaelkade in the de Pijp district, west-southwest from Albert Cuypmarkt.

Squares

There are many squares (suffixed with plein) in Amsterdam. Here is a partial list of some of the better-known ones:

* The Dam, the central square of Amsterdam, where stands the Royal Palace on the Dam and the Netherlands National Monument.
* Koningsplein.
* Leidseplein, a plaza on the southwest end of the Leidsestraat.
* Muntplein, at the intersection of Kalverstraat and Rokin, a town square centered on the old Tower of the Mint (Munttoren).
* Museumplein, southwest of the Rijksmuseum, holds the Stedelijk Museum and the Van Gogh Museum.
* Rembrandtplein.
* Waterlooplein, south of the Rembrandt House Museum, the site of an open-air market.
* Markenplein, a place which holds Netherlands Film and Television Academy (NFTA), close by the Waterlooplein.
* Azartplein, is the end of the Java Island walk, crossing this square will lead to KNSM Island.

Open-air markets

* Albert Cuyp markt, great open-air food marked in the borough De Pijp.
* Waterlooplein, south of the Rembrandt House Museum, the site of an open-air market.
* Dappermarkt, open-air food and cloths market in the borough Dapperbuurt.
* Noordermarkt, Saturday market for organic food.
* Tsaar Peter Markt, small daily marked in the Tsaar Peter street.
* Bloemenmarkt, the famous and only floating flower market.

Breweries

* Heineken Brewery, located in the borough De Pijp. Now a museum.
* Brouwerij 't IJ (Brouwerij 't IJ), located in the beautiful De Gooier windmill.

Zoos

* Artis, the oldest zoo in the Netherlands.

Here is a video tour of Amsterdam:

Wellness Wednesday on Empty Streets: Best Diet Pills and How They Work

I have gone on a strict diet trying to loose the pounds that have crept into my belly and has caused me to be separated from my abs. So now am working out and trying to loose weight as quickly as possible but I would definitely welcome all the help I can get. Out in the market right now are thousands of diet pills and diet supplements that claim to have a great impact on weight loss, however there are many such as the recent Hydroxycut retraction due to liver damage side effects have caused quite a stir if not scare to the general public. Of course one has to consult their physician and nutritionist prior to taking any sort of medication or pill, I have found the Top ten said to be the most effective diet pill/supplement in the market to date.

#1 LipoFuze

LipoFuze has jumped to the top of the ratings on just about everyone’s reviews. Recognized as the most powerful weight loss product on the market, LipoFuze features 10 patented and clinically proven weight loss ingredients. It is an impressive list of powerful fat burners that are supported by its equally impressive number of loyal customers. Research reveals that over 87% of its customers return to purchase again for a second month. What is it about LipoFuze that keeps people asking for more? Long Term Weight Loss Results!

While most other products focus on losing pounds (and they don’t care whether it is muscle, fat or water that people are losing), LipoFuze helps users lose fat. Why is that important? Because not all weight is created equally! Losing water weight and muscle mass is not only harmful to your health, but it can actually cause you to gain back most of that weight you claimed to have lost. With LipoFuze, people have been able to lose 10.3 pounds 7 days, but what is most impressive is that people actually keep it off. Best part is that loyal fans or skeptics alike are all protected by LipoFuze’s 100% LifeTime Money Back Guarantee, so you can try LipoFuze completely RISK FREE!

Cheapest online price found:$49.95 @ www.LipoFuze.com

#2 Nuphedragen

Nuphedragen is the most "controversial" and powerful diet pill that was ever reviewed. It stimulates what is known in the scientific community as CART and inhibits NPY. The fat loss results of these two chemical processes are mind-boggling.

Nuphedragen could have easily been our #1 rated diet pill if it had not been for its low safety score (79%). There have been rumors that Nuphedragen contains phentermine and prescription strength pain relievers. We believe these rumors to be false but Nuphedragen does contain phenylethylamine. Often referred to as the "Love Drug" it is extracted from chocolate and is responsible for the "chocolate high" sensation. Nuphedragen also contains synephrineHClwhich may dramatically burn fat, suppress appetite, and increase energy. When you combine synephrineHCl and the "Love Drug" PEA, mood enhancement is greatly improved, appetite is decreased to the point where one can barely eat, and fat burning is peaked better than anything we’ve ever seen. Finding bottles of Nuphedragen in the U.S. is sometimes hard as there are rumors that it may be taken off the market like Ephedra was. Nuphedragen retails for $137.00 USD per bottle.

Cheapest online price found:$59.00 @ www.nuphedragen.com

#3 Noxycut

NOXYCUT is a diet pill formulated for men over the age of 18 only. It contains a blend of the strongest fat burners, most potent testosterone boosters, and top-rated muscle builders. Some NOXYCUT users have reported a net weight loss of ZERO pounds because they gain 1 pound of lean muscle for every pound of fat lost. NOXYCUT is great for men who want a lean & chiseled body and an increased sex drive. One of the “positive” side effects of NOXYCUT is enhanced sexual performance due to powerful testosterone boosters. NOXYCUT is one of the more expensive diet pills at $75.00 for 75 capsules, which lasts approximately 5 weeks. At this price NOXYCUT is tough to pass up. The product is intended of men over the age of 18 only but it is recommended that men only over the age of 21 take NOXYCUT. Be sure to strictly follow the recommended use as it is extremely powerful.

Cheapest online price found:$29.99 @ www.noxycut.com

#4 7-DFBX

Is it really possible to lose 17 pounds in only 7 days? Taking 7-DFBX in conjunction with a Smart Carb diet, the average test subject lost 11 pounds in 7 days and the greatest weight loss results by one subject was 17 lbs. 7-DFBX (which is short for 7 Day Fat Burner XTREME) contains a precise blend of almost every natural detoxifying ingredient that one can buy. It actually contains a total of 34 ingredients which work synergistically with one another to promote rapid weight loss by flushing toxins out of your body, naturally balancing your body’s PH levels (over 97% of American’s bodies have too much Alkaline making it nearly impossible to lose weight), and ridding fat cells of excess, retained water. 7-DFBX retails for $39.99 per bottle, which lasts 14 days each. Never take 2 bottles consecutively as it will cause your body to lose weight at an unhealthy rate. Always take at least 1 week off before starting again. 7-DFBX is great for jump starting a diet that has reached a plateau or to get into shape fast for a special occasion. If it’s maximum weight loss you’re looking for in the shortest time period possible, look no further than 7-DFBX.

Cheapest online price found:$19.99 @ www.7-dfbx.com

#5 Curvatrim

CurvaTrim is a medical marvel for women. The only diet pill formulated specifically for women to aid weight loss, breast enhancement, acne, and sexual vigor. As women age, their hormones get thrown out of whack which causes unwanted weight gain, adult acne, lack of sexual desire, and sagging in the breasts. When you correct this imbalance, you begin to lose body fat, rid acne, naturally lift and enhance breast tissue, and have the sex drive of a teenager. CurvaTrim was formulated for women by women and the results are incredible. Each bottle lasts 30-45 days depending on your dosage and how quickly you need to lose weight. Many users suggest drinking lots of water when taking CurvaTrim to enhance results. Each bottle retails for $103.00 (which is quite a bargain since it’s basically 4 products in 1) but you can buy it through a specialty retailer at the low price of $39.99.

Cheapest online price found:$39.99 @ www.curvatrim.com

#6 Orovo Detox

If Orovo is the best diet pill accidentally created, Orovo Detox is the best diet pill created on purpose. 70% of the Americans suffer negative side effects from harmful toxins that exist in our everyday life. In fact, a great deal of obesity and weight gain can be attributed to toxic build up. Toxins have been known to endanger vital metabolic and glandular functions resulting in a predisposition toward weight gain. The bad news is that toxins are found in your food, water, and even the air you breathe, making it virtually impossible to avoid them. The good news is that Orovo created Orovo Detox to fight and flush your body of toxins and help you lose weight.

With proven metabolism boosters, detox agents, and weight loss ingredients, Orovo Detox is one of the most complete diet pills that we have reviewed. Combination of its 31 Super-Detox Agents, Top 10 SuperFoods an 4 Super Antioxidants, Orovo Detox produces weight loss faster than we have ever seen before. Some users are losing as much as 7, 14, even up to 21 POUNDS per bottle. Orovo DETOX retails for $90.00 per bottle, but you can buy it online for only $43.99.

Cheapest online price found: $43.99 @ www.orovostore.com

#7 Ambislim PM

AmbiSlim PM is the only nighttime fat burner to make our best diet pills list. Nighttime diet pills are becoming more and more popular after recent research suggested that food eaten at night is more likely to be stored as body fat than food eaten during the daytime. Also, studies have shown that when people get 5 hours or less of quality sleep each night, they are 76% more likely to be obese than people who get 7-9 hours. AmbiSlim PM contains a blend of fat burners and appetite suppressants that dramatically curb your cravings for food in the evening. Not only that, but AmbiSlim contains a sleeping complex that puts your body into a deep mode of relaxation that not only helps you fall asleep extremely easily but may also reduce the stress hormone cortisol which is responsible for the unhealthy body fat near the stomach and heart. AmbiSlim retails for $49.95.

Cheapest online price found:$19.99 @ www.ambislim.com

#8 ZCA Stack

As one of the strongest weight loss supplements on the market, ZCA Stack has made a big impact in the weight loss and fitness communities. It is without a doubt one of the Strongest weight loss pill ever made. Based off of the ephedra based ECA Stack featuring 1:10:10 ratio of MaHuang, Caffeine, and Aspirin, ZCA Stack has improved upon ECA Stack’s powerful formula with its own combination of 1:10:10 ratio of Synephrine, Caffeine, and White Willow Bark. ZCA Stack’s effective formula has received one of the highest ratings in its weight loss power and speed. Users looking for weight loss have been talking more and more about the effectiveness of ZCA Stack. ZCA Stack retails for $159.99 per bottle, but we have found ZCA Stack sell for as little as $59.99. Get $100 savings and receive 100% money back guarantee on ZCAStack.com.

Cheapest online price found: $59.99

#9 72 Hour Slimming Pill

72 Hour Slimming Pill is an all-natural recipe. 72 Hour slimming diet pills were designed to help you lose those last few pounds that won't go away. This powerful concoction of all natural non-toxic ingredients is designed to help you lose 7-15 pounds in just 3 days. This formula will boost energy levels with vitamin B. Be more energetic, safely melt the pounds away, and keep them off with the 72 hour slimming diet pills. 72 Hour Slimming diet pills retails for $29.99.

Cheapest online price found:$9.99 @ www.72hourslimmingpill.com

#10 LipoSeduction 2250

LipoSeduction 2250 contains a 2,250 mg proprietary blend per serving of phaseolusvulgaris, glucomannan, and chitosan. Phaseolusvulgaris is an amazing, non-stimulant, all-natural nutritional ingredient that is derived from the white kidney bean. It is the first nutritional ingredient that has been clinically & scientifically proven to neutralize starch found in your favorite foods such as potatoes, breads, pasta, rice, corn, and crackers. It is a safe yet powerful nutritional ingredient, clinically studied to reduce the absorption of starch calories. Chitosan is a fat calorie blocker thathas shown in studies to reduce body fat, lower bad cholesterol, and increase good cholesterol. Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber that is derived from the konjac root. One double-blind study reported an average weight loss of 5.5 lbs. in adults in just a few weeks when one gram of glucomannan was taken with a cup of water an hour before meals. So what happens when you combine glucomannan (appetite suppressant), chitosan (fat blocker), and phaseolusvulgaris (carb blocker) in one easy-to-use weight loss supplement? You lose weight at a RAPID RATE! Retail Price is $44.95.

Cheapest online price found:$14.99 @ www.liposeduction.com

Here is a video presentation on how diet pills work and much more:

Technology Tuesday on Empty Streets: Samsung J700

I subscribed to Sun Cellular last week and I was finally able to get my phones today. I got the Samsung J700 and I have to say it is absolutely cool. I love it first because is matches the color of my Hanna (HP Mini 2140) and it can play my favorite MP3 Songs and much more. Battery life seems excellent as well.

Here is more of what this phone has to offer its users

General	2G Network	GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
	Announced	2008, February
	Status	Available. Released 2008, February

Size	Dimensions	99.5 x 48 x 14.8 mm
	Weight	92 g

Display	Type	TFT, 65K colors
	Size	128 x 160 pixels, 2.0 inches

Sound	Alert types	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones
	Speakerphone	Yes

Memory	Phonebook	1000 entries, Photocall
	Call records	20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
	Internal	10 MB
	Card slot	microSD (TransFlash), up to 2 GB, buy memory

Data	GPRS	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	HSCSD	No
	EDGE	Class 10, 236.8 kbps
	3G	No
	WLAN	No
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0

Camera	Primary	1.3 MP, 1280x960 pixels
	Video	Yes
	Secondary	No

Features	Messaging	SMS, EMS, MMS
	Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
	Radio	FM radio
	Games	Yes
	Colors	Black, Pink
	GPS	No
	Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0
		- MPEG4/3GP video player/recorder - MP3/AAC/AAC+/MIDI player - BT printing - Organizer - Currency converter - Voice memo - T9

Battery		Standard battery, Li-Ion 800 mAh
	Stand-by	Up to 250 h
	Talk time	Up to 3 h

Here is a video of the phone to further tantalize your senses :)

Music Monday on Empty Streets: My Chemical Romance

I was literally having a hard time thinking of whom to feature this Music Monday, so I decided to ask a friend about it. So for today am featuring a very cool band that brought the song Desolation for The Watchmen - My Chemical Romance.

My Chemical Romance is an American rock band from Jersey City, New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of five members: Gerard Way, Mikey Way, Frank Iero, Ray Toro and Bob Bryar. Shortly after forming, the band signed to Eyeball Records and released their debut album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love in 2002. They signed with Reprise Records the next year and released their major label debut Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge in 2004; the album was a commercial success selling over one million copies. The band followed this success with 2006's The Black Parade, featuring their hit singles, "Welcome to the Black Parade", "Famous Last Words", "I Don't Love You", and "Teenagers". The band also filmed a live DVD in Mexico City, which was released on July 1, 2008.

Here's their video for you to enjoy :)

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Food Friday on Empty Streets: Bread Pudding

I had a lot of left over bread the other day and so today I decided to make an old family dessert known as bread pudding.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk (or 2 cups half & half)
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar (white or brown, depending on taste preference)
3 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups bread, torn into small pieces (french bread works best)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:

1. In medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat milk (or half & half) just until film forms over top. Combine butter and milk, stirring until butter is melted. Cool to lukewarm.

2. Combine sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute. Slowly add milk mixture.

3. Place bread in a lightly greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.

4. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Pour batter on top of bread.

5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or until set. Serve warm.

If you make the sauce to put on top of your bread pudding, adjust the sugar in the bread pudding recipe, change it to 1/3 cups sugar (the sauce has the other 1/3 cup in it).
Bread Pudding Sauce

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk
2 Tbsp. butter
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. flour
dash of salt

Directions:

Mix everything together and bring to a boil for 3 - 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Set aside for 5 minutes, then pour on warm bread pudding.

Here is a video tutorial of another version of Bread Pudding:

Travel Thursday on Empty Streets: 5 Best Places to Visit in Portugal

My friend Mize just gave me the best idea for Travel Thursday - Feature Portugal :) So for her, here are the Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Portugal. and Please dont forget to visit her site Portuguese Menu. :)

Porto

www.galetterportugal.com
Porto is the capital of "the north". Go there to taste the Port wine and to see FC Porto play.

Lisbon

www.galetterportugal.com/lisboa/
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and has plenty of culture and attractions on offer. Visit between february and november to get the best weather.

Cascais

Cascais is situated 20 km outside Lisbon and is a very charming coastal city. Perfect for a beach vacation.

Lagos

www.galetterportugal.com/algarvekysten/
Lagos on the Algarve coast is the most "Portugese" city along the touristy Algarve coast.

Tarifa

Tarifa on the Algarve coast is a deserted fishing town with 2-3 hotels. Go there to find out why the tuna fish left.

Here is a video promotion of Portugal for you to get even more enticed :)

Wellness Wednesday on Empty Streets: Hydrotherapy

As most of my friends and readers know that I am on a strict diet and trying to figure out ways to lose some weight. In my research I have bumped into the topic of Hydrotherapy along with it's benefits. I got introduced to it as some of my friends have insisted that it works wonders. So out of curiosity I let my hands do the walking and here is what I have found out.

Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy involves the use of water for soothing pains and treating diseases.

Its use has been recorded in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. Egyptian royalty bathed with essential oils and flowers, while Romans had communal public baths for their citizens. Hippocrates prescribed bathing in spring water for sickness. A Dominican monk, Sebastian Kneipp, again revived it during the 19th century. His book My Water Cure in 1886 was published and translated into many languages.

The use of water to treat rheumatic diseases has a long history. Today, hydrotherapy is used to treat musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or spinal cord injuries and in patients suffering burns, spasticity, stroke or paralysis. It is also used to treat orthopedic and neurological conditions in dogs and horses and to improve fitness.

According to the International SPA Association (ISPA), hydrotherapy has long been a staple in European spas. It's the generic term for water therapies using jets, underwater massage and mineral baths (e.g. balneotherapy, Iodine-Grine therapy, Kneipp treatments, Scotch hose, Swiss shower, thalassotherapy) and others. It also can mean a whirlpool bath, hot Roman pool, hot tub, Jacuzzi, cold plunge and mineral bath. These treatments use physical water properties, such as temperature and pressure, for therapeutic purposes, to stimulate blood circulation and treat the symptoms of certain diseases.

Forms of hydrotherapy

Packings

The full pack consists of a wet sheet enveloping the body, with a number of dry blankets packed tightly over it, including a macintosh covering or not. In an hour or less these are removed and a general bath administered. The pack is a derivative, sedative, sudorific and stimulator of cutaneous excretion. The trapped body heat causes the patient to be warmed. There are numerous modifications of it, notably the cooling pack, where the wrappings are loose and scanty, permitting evaporation, and the application of indefinite duration, the sheet being rewetted as it dries; this was used to deal with fever. There are also local packs, to trunk, limbs or head separately, which are derivative, soothing or stimulating, according to circumstance and detail.

Hot air baths

Hot air baths or saunas, the chief of which is the Turkish (properly, the Roman) bath, consisting of two or more chambers ranging in temperature from 50°C to 100°C or higher, but mainly used at 66°C for curative purposes. Exposure is from twenty minutes up to two hours according to the effect sought, and is followed by a general bath, and occasionally by soaping and shampooing. It is stimulating, derivative, depurative, sudorific and alternative, powerfully promoting tissue change by increase of the natural waste and repair. It determines the blood to the surface, reducing internal congestions, is a potent diaphoretic, and, through the extremes of heat and cold, is an effective nervous and vascular stimulant and tonic. Morbid growths and secretions, as also the uraemic, gouty and rheumatic diathesis, were believed to be beneficially influenced by it. The full pack and Turkish bath for a while seemed to be replacing the once familiar hot bath.

General baths

General baths comprise the rain (or needle), spray (or rose), shower, shallow, plunge, douche, wave and common morning sponge baths, with the dripping sheet, and hot and cold spongings, and are combinations, as a rule, of hot and cold water.

Local baths

Local baths comprise the sitz, douche (or spouting), spinal, foot and head baths, of hot or cold water, singly or in combination, successive or alternate. The sitz, head and foot baths are used flowing on occasion. The application of cold by Leiters tubes was believed to be effective for reducing inflammation (e.g. in meningitis and in sunstroke); in these a network of metal or indiarubber tubing is fitted to the part affected, and cold water kept continuously flowing through them. Rapid alternations of hot and cold water was believed to have a powerful effect in vascular stasis and lethargy of the nervous system and absorbents, benefitting local congestions and chronic inflammations.

Compresses

Bandages (or compresses) are of two kinds,cooling, of wet material left exposed for evaporation, used in local infiammations and fevers; and heating, of the same, covered with waterproof material, used in congestion, external or internal, for short or long periods. Poultices, warm, of bread, linseed, bran, &c., changed but twice in twenty-four hours, are identical in action with the heating bandage, and superior only in the greater warmth and consequent vital activity their closer application to the skin ensures.

The benefits of hydrotherapy include:

• dramatically increasing the elimination of waste, thus assisting detoxification
• loosening tense, tight muscles and encouraging relaxation
• increasing the metabolic rate and digestion activity
• hydrating the cells, improving skin and muscle tone
• boosting the immune system, allowing it to function more efficiently
• improving the function of the internal organs by stimulating their blood supply

Here is a video presentation of one type of Hydrotherapy and it's benefits: