My schedule included swimming in the indoor pool (CLARE HOCTER)
Nourishing soups and delicious smoothies – my favourite was liquidised rocket, walnuts, white grapes and pear juice – were available if I felt peckish, while main meals comprised small, exquisitely presented portions of organic regional produce.
The treatment regime was drawn up from a wide range of spa programmes on offer using products from the organic Anika range. Anya suggested that I start with a detoxifying Algae Body Wrap to stimulate the lymphatic system 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 rich in silicon dioxide, essential minerals and rare gemstone crystals such as tourmaline and zircon. It is claimed that the stones "tone the connective tissues and de-acidify the body'', while the specialist massage is said to stimulate the metabolism and digestive system. The 80-minute treatment – in a room infused with "the perfume of larch and the tree of incense", to the primal sound of drums and monochord – was an experience to savour. I gave myself over to the warmth of the oils and the rhythmic flow of the stones on my body, floating into oblivion.
Hotel Tannenhof's silver quartz hot stones (CLARE HOCTER)
Each day began with a green smoothie delivered to my room a precise 30 minutes before breakfast – the optimum time, apparently, to prime the digestive system. After a specially concocted alkaline breakfast cereal, my schedule – if you can call it that, when the emphasis was strictly on relaxation – comprised spa treatments, personal yoga sessions, swimming in the indoor pool, enjoying the hammam or a bracing dash outside to the sauna.
In between, I chilled out in my cosy suite with its wood-burning fire and panoramic views. Every night I immersed myself in a deep rose-petal bath with muscle-easing salts added. I didn't watch TV, check my phone, listen to music or even pick up a book. For the first time in months, my mind was free to roam.
By the end of my stay, I felt immeasurably better. But the concept of detox is, understandably, treated with scepticism by doctors, and nutritionists are sniffy about acid/alkaline diets, saying the body maintains its pH balance regardless.
Be that as it may. I believe that my brief time at the Tannenhof gave me a chance to reconnect mind and body and sometimes that is all that is needed. I've had just one attack of pain in my face and jaw since I returned. It may be coincidental, but in my book anything that leaves you re-energised and optimistic can only be good.
A five-night detox at Hotel Tannenhof (St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria; 0043 5446 30311, hoteltannenhof.net), in a suite, costs from £3,080 per couple. Package includes two detox experience treatments, two detox body wrap treatments, 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 more information about the Austrian Tirol, go to visittirol.co.uk
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Hotel Tannenhof green smoothies recipes
150g spinach
100g rocket
50g cress
1 banana
Half a lemon with peel
Water
Blend all ingredients in a food processor
Or:
150g green cabbage
100g parsley
Half a mango
6 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 choice (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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20 alkaline superfoods to boost your wellbeing
Avocado (vitamins E and B, potassium)
Pumpkin (omega 3 and 6 fats, vitamins A, B and C)
Potato (vitamin C, iron, magnesium and potassium)
Amaranth seeds (high levels 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 foods)
Almonds (high in protein, zinc, vitamin E)
Carrot (calcium, magnesium, vitamin A)
Quinoa (calcium, rich in protein)
Beetroot (nutrient rich, lowers blood pressure)
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: Lose Weight, Gain Energy and Feel Young by Dr Stephen Domenig (£14.99, Modern Books)
Source : http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568612/s/39930b34/sc/4/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Chealth0C10A7755480CAustrian0Emountain0Eretreat0Erestored0Eme0Eto0Epeak0Eperformance0Bhtml/story01.htm