Pro wrestler “The Kingpin” Brian Milonas and referee Mike Crockett are listening to YOU, discussing what you voted for on Twitter (@TheWPAN). This time out, we are looking at the Worst Wrestler Nicknames! Which talents were saddled with horrible monikers? Our picks span decades, and no nickname is off limits. In fact, “Hot Take” Crockett might just upset somebody out there with his number one choice! Also in this episode, Brian Milonas is back from another adventure with Ring Of Honor Wrestling in New York City, and we get the scoop on all that went down in the Big Apple (ALL spoilers)! Plus, a Promo About Nothing with more bad nicknames, gearing up for episode 100 (and how you can be a part of the show), and what the hell is a sparky?
Hubby and I love to visit the spa together but we do indeed like different things. Often spa packages for couples have a romantic angle, involving the same massage and scrub and undoubtedly finishing with a floral bath. While these are generally enchanting experiences, our concept of a couple’s spa treatment has been given an exciting new twist by BE Urban Wellness.
It’s been long known that massage and relaxation contribute positively to health, but BE Urban Wellness has taken this understanding a number of steps further. Not only covering traditional spa treatments, the centre provides a comprehensive system of fitness, consultations, machines, classes and relaxation to provide a complete approach to reaching and maintaining optimal health.
Signing up for a couples’ spa treatment here meant we were treated as individuals with different aspirations and needs. After consultation involving a questionnaire and discussion, a program was designed specifically for each of us.
It was agreed that my sessions would work on relaxation and rejuvenation. I signed up for the Floatation Tank, a Balinese Massage and a Dr. Shigemoto Facial.
I have an extremely hard time doing nothing. Meditation has always been that thing that other people do. I’ve given it a go at the request of friends a couple of times but truly found it torturous. Inactivating my body was challenge enough, but my mind too (!) impossible. That is, until I met my new friend, the Floatation Tank. Removed of all external stimuli, it must be the best way to get even the most stubborn of people a kick off in the right direction to chosen mindlessness.
After a quick shower and donning of earplugs, guests enter a giant white pod filled with highly salted water (this makes you float). Lying supine and buoyant, a therapist talks you through what to do. Relax, breathe, close your eyes. She stays until you feel comfortable and then leaves you to experience the tank.
With the top down (you can open it if you feel claustrophobic), there’s zero light, no sound and no smell. Your sense of touch too has been masked as the water is at the same temperature as your body. Gravity also is defied as the salted water keeps you afloat.
Scientifically this gentle form of sensory deprivation is supposed to stimulate “left-right brain synchronisation; shift brain waves from Beta to lower frequency Theta; increase creativity; eliminate fatigue and; improve sleep. Instant meditation.”
For me, it was an incredible journey. It’s recommended that you book in for a 60 or 90 minute session, however I insisted that I couldn’t last that long and had the timer set for 30 minutes.
Left floating with no outside provocation was a mind-altering adventure. As much as I tried to detect my surrounds, there was really nothing. I imagine lengthy stays in one of these tanks could produce hallucinogenic visions. In what seemed like mere minutes, soft lights began to flicker signalling me the time was up. Sure there had been an error, I checked the clock thinking I was only in there for five minutes, but no a full half hour had passed. Wow! This is what meditation feels like. I will be back.
Calmed, I was ready for a massage. Combining acupressure, reflexology, stretching and aromatherapy, circulation is stimulated, muscle and joint pain eased and a deep relaxation induced with a Balinese Massage. Both strong wide hand movements and delicate “meandering over the skin” strokes are used. A viscous oil proved extremely silky and my masseuse’s hands were some of the strongest I’ve experienced.
This 5-in-1 Japanese technology promises anti-ageing benefits and immediately tighter nourished skin. Combined with a manual facial, including cleansing, face massage, mask and serum, the encounter is both relaxing and rejuvenating. My therapist warned that the machine would be uncomfortable. I found it however to be quite pleasurable. I’m usually rather delicate when it comes to pain, but the tingling tightening sensation was more gratifying than grievous. My clinician paused after completing half of my face so that I could compare sides in the mirror. I was surprised to see a distinct reduction in fine lines (especially those directly under my eyes) after just one treatment. This is another new experience I hope to return for.
Both finished with our sessions and revitalised, we adjourned to the deck where a lap pool and sun chairs offer panoramic city views. A gymnasium, sauna, Jacuzzi and, this wonderful recreation terrace, are available for unlimited indulgence. A delicious ginger tea was sipped as we compared our mornings. We both agreed that this was one of the best “couples’ spa packages” we’ve engaged in.
My first session in BE Urban Wellness had me enamoured so I couldn’t wait to get back and try some other things on the menu. The slimming massage had caught my eye (as I’m sure it had many others) so having a short gap in my schedule (and feeling a bit tubby around the edges from too many wine paired dinners) I signed up.
Using the Alqvimia range of Essential Oils, strong hands pounded, stroked and pummelled. The product consists of high energy ingredients known for fat burning and detoxifying performance – Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Lavender, Fennel, Coriander, Lemon and Blessed Thistle. The Body Sculptor Treatment claims to contour and tone your figure. Focusing on my trouble spots felt great! All I had to do was lie there and enjoy the massage. Without taking a before and after photo, I can’t comment on whether or not three was an actual difference in my shape or not. It certainly felt great though and with the host of complementary treatments at BE Urban Wellness, if sculpting your body is a goal, their comprehensive packages will be able to help you.
As part of the approach to taking care of health from a holistic perspective, guests and members can choose from a comprehensive range of menus. Be Whole integrates mind and body with a selection of meditations including Himalayan, Ashtanga, Kundalini and Gong. Be Pampered covers massages, scrubs, wraps and baths. Be Well combines nutrition and pharmaceuticals in partnership with DSY Wellness and Longevity Centre to provide complementary nutrition treatment. Be Beautiful keeps you slim and smooth with a range of facials and body slimming options. Be Rejuvenated utilizes cutting edge health technologies such as the Oxygen Chamber, Pelvic X-Tone and Floatation Tank to revitalise. Finally, Be Bionic focuses on physical fitness through the latest equipment and help of expert fitness coaches.
very intrigued on how it feels like to be in the floatation tank, sounds like a reverse experience from being under GA as far as time passage goes.
Oh I love floatation tanks! I didn't think I'd find one in KL. I'm definitely going for that alone – I've never slept better than after a float session and the feeling of complete relaxation leaves you stress free for days!
That floatation tank sounds interesting. I've also never been one for meditation, but I think you've sold me on this experience.
I definitely need to check this out. The idea of the floatation tank will be lovely. Hopefully it takes my mind of things. I am sometimes quite amazed at my ability to not chill. There is always something in the mind…funny, serious, imaginations, worries…
I’m the Wholesale General Manager for CMCR and part of the awesome squad that runs Common Man Coffee Roaster’s wholesale business, working with a team of experts responsible for sourcing, roasting and packing our beans, and supporting our wholesale customers, with training, technical support and expertise.
Despite being late to the specialty coffee industry, I was always passionate about coffee, having started out as a barista for my first job as a kid growing up in New Zealand. I actually found my way into the industry via a career in hotels, where I was running F&B operations for a number of 5-star hotels in different parts of the world, eventually finding my role with CMCR via our partners Five Senses Coffee in Australia.
The best part of this job is working with and meeting some incredibly passionate and talented people, across a pretty diverse industry, but all sharing a common thread; a commitment to the ideals of specialty coffee.
Most of my outrageous, work-related, behind-the-scenes stories come from my previous life in hotels and usually relate to one celebrity or another. From the time Lady Gaga caused napkin-related chaos in my restaurant, to the time, after a big night out, that Justin Beiber decided to graffiti the outside of the hotel, it was rarely a dull moment when these types of characters are around.
The beautify of the role I have is that I’m involved in most parts of the business – so you might find me starting my day by putting the final touches on our plans for this year’s Singapore Coffee Fest, before jumping in to help our Tech team with the installation of espresso and brewing equipment for an upcoming café, then into a sales meeting with a potential customer that’s looking at expanding and growing their coffee programme, and maybe finishing the day by helping the team out with one of our monthly Curated Cuppings, where we explore a specific subject in coffee for industry and members of the public alike.
When I have the time, I still really enjoy cooking at home! But often times I’ll take some time out with my guitar, or by playing some rugby with a local club; though I’m only allowed to play non-contact rugby now that I’m over 30.
If I could choose anything, it would be the amount of commitment and passion our different teams put into creating the experiences people have in our cafes; from the wholesale team roasting, blending and packing our amazing coffee, to the kitchen crews toiling away to create those delicious brunch dishes, to the barista teams and their commitment to quality whilst working under pressure, and lastly the service crew that always keep their smiles, even when the line out the door keeps growing!
I’ve had the privilege of watching KL’s already vibrant specialty coffee community develop over the past two year, and I think that the speedy growth of the industry is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that is strong throughout Malaysia and the endeavor of those young, passionate owner/operators that are opening up fantastic café’s all around town.
We’re going to continue with our Curated Cupping programme, bringing various coffee topics to town with talks and cuppings on the subjects.
We are also super excited to be bringing the Malaysian AeroPress Championship to KL later this year, with more information on that coming in the next few months.
We’re also constantly developing our CMCR Academy programme and offering new content to both industry and professional students.
Foto: Employees serves mozzarella cheese at a counter of the Eataly food emporium on June 12, 2012 in Rome. The huge 17000 square meter Italian food and wine market, which is part of the international "slow food" movement with branches in Japan and new York, will open its doors on June 21. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/GettyImages)
Expo 2015 was definitely an occasion to praise and celebrate Made in Italy excellences, not only in the homeland but also abroad. Its heritage is an increased knowledge of the precious potential Made in Italy has, with a special focus on the food sector.
In fact, right after the conclusion of the universal exposition, the Italian Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies, Maurizio Martina, announced the start of a campaign to safeguard "Italian DOP" in the US.
The project will start in 2016 and it is framed within the logic of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the new free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, with the aim of promoting multilateral economic growth.
The US are a great recipient of Italian exports. As a matter of fact, European food & wine goods sold to the "new continent" are worth about 15 billion Euros. Among these items, Italian products have an outstanding position. For this reason, Minister Martina stressed the need to educate consumers abroad on the importance of recognizing true Made in Italy from its imitations. In order to achieve this result, a number of advertisements and awareness raising campaigns will be launched throughout the US.
The initiative will last one year, during which Italian exporters will create partnerships with the big names of American suppliers to have on Italian products of excellence the new unified logo "Italian Taste".
The label will also play an essential role in the identification of the products. Expo2015 - as Mr Martina pointed out - showed us how new technologies are making the information required at hand and in a very short time to the consumers. New apps are available to get all the details about a good, its characteristics, its composition and its producer.
Finally, the common desire is that what is taking place in the USA would work as an organizational example for the "Made in Italy system" around the world, to better protect and promote our goods at the same time.