Monthly Archives: December 2011

Vitality Spa Offers Prosperity Candles, Benefit Refugee Women

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This holiday season, Vitality Spa in Old Lyme is offering a unique gift in its boutique that exemplifies the spa’s client philosophy to “Live Long, Live Well”. 

Beginning this month, Vitality will feature Prosperity Candles, pictured above, a venture that invests in enterprising women living in distressed areas of the world who are motivated to start their own businesses producing distinctive candles for local and international markets.

Prosperity Candle imagines a world lit by millions of points of candlelight, each reflecting the resilience and courage of women who have survived inconceivable hardship and who seek to create a better future through the simple craft of candle-making.

Lindsay Eisensmith, owner of Vitality Spa, learned about Prosperity Candle while in Massachusetts for her Smith College reunion.  ”I was immediately struck by how this organization helps women rebuild their lives and the lives of their families amidst destruction and conflict.”  The women who make the candles for Vitality are refugees who have resettled in West Springfield, Mass., from Burma and Bhutan.  For many, making candles was their first job. 

The philosophy of Prosperity Candle and the attitudes of the entrepreneurial women who have decided to take charge and change their lives, embody the spirit of “Live Long, Live Well,” which is the foundation that has shaped Lindsay Eisensmith’s own life and business.

“Living well is about a journey and a practice.” says Lindsay.  “It is about being at ease with your attitude and with your environment, and about having the courage to make a change in your life to achieve those goals.  Prosperity Candle provides a business model, start up tools and training so these women can support their family and others.  The women from Burma and Bhutan are courageous, and I am honored to carry their beautiful candles in hopes that we can make a positive impact on their lives.”

Vitality offers a unique brand of Spa Therapy in an intimate setting conveniently located at the Village Shops in downtown Old Lyme. The tranquil environment offers a wide range of holistic and therapeutic services including Therapeutic Massage, 100% Organic Skin care, Health Counseling, Acupuncture, Yoga & Meditation.

In addition to a complete range of therapeutic treatments, Vitality Spa offers a boutique setting with a range of beauty and wellness products, clothing, jewelry and eco-conscious gifts for the home.  Vitality also holds events and workshops such as Mindfulness Meditation and Mother & Daughter Nights.

This evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Vitality is hosting a Client Appreciation Night & First Birthday Party. There will be a free raffle for a Silk Body Package, Gentlemans Retreat Package or a Vitality Gift Basket. Free skincare evaluations will also be offered.

Vitality Spa is located at 14 Lyme Street in Old Lyme, Conn. 

For more information, visit www.vitalityspa.com

9 Town Transit Announces New Saturday Bus Service Along Shoreline

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Expanded Shoreline Shuttle Hours and New Connection to New Haven

Saturday travel between New Haven and Old Saybrook will become a great deal easier for shoreline transit riders when 9 Town Transit begins an expanded Saturday service on the Shoreline Shuttle this Saturday, Dec. 17.

The new Saturday service will extend the hours of service from 7:20 a.m. to 6 p.m. and expand the route to the Scranton Gazebo in Madison.  The service will now tie into the new CT Transit S Route service between Madison and New Haven. 

The new schedules will provide an important link between the Shoreline and New Haven, with access to popular points such as Madison Center, Westbrook Tanger Outlets, Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets, and the Guilford green.

9 Town Transit provides service to all parts of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook, and all services are open to the general public. 

Additional information, route maps and schedules are available online at www.9towntransit.com or by calling 9 Town Transit at 860-510-0429. 

CT Transit S Route schedules are available at www.cttransit.com or by phone at 203-624-0151.

OL Police Union Warns Against Fraudulent Phone Solicitation Calls

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The Old Lyme Police Union has asked us to confirm that it is not soliciting donations at this time nor is it affiliated with any other police organization that may currently be conducting a fund drive. 

The Old Lyme Police Union has recently received many calls from Old Lyme residents who have received phone solicitation requests for donations to a police program that does not exist in the Town of Old Lyme.

Fall is Perfect Time for Outdoor Exercise

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Now that we have said  goodbye to the younger members of the family and somewhat settled into a routine what are you planning to do with your newly found free time?  Perhaps it’s time to welcome the change of seasons in with a little time to focus on yourself a bit more and — yes, you guessed it — fitness!

And conveniently enough, October and early November may very easily be considered the ‘ideal’ time for exercising outdoors. Not too cold, not quite too warm, and easy on the eyes if you can appreciate the fall foliage- there’s no better time to get yourself going on a new outdoor routine.

Now might be the time to drag out those running sneakers from the back of the closet and get kicking on that jogging route you’ve been promising to try or take to the playground and do your workout  there.  You can do pull ups on the swings, calf raises on the picnic tables, and sit ups on the slides.  Exercising can be fun!

But what if you’re finding your schedule to be just as busy as that of your elementary schooler?  Time isn’t always as easy to find as we’d like for it to be.  But that doesn’t mean we can’t make adjustments …

Try altering your schedule by waking up just an hour earlier than usual and squeezing in time to exercise before your day really gets started.  You’ll find it even comes along with some benefits of its own — exercising in the morning jump starts both you and your metabolism, and helps you sleep better at night.

If you stick with it for long enough, and you’ll have no issue getting up in the earlier hours.  In fact, you might even come to like it more than your past daytime routines.  Who knows?

The other option is to let your spouse do the bedtime routine and come out to an evening class or two to get the stress out from the day.  When you wake up in the morning you will be happy to feel all those muscles you used the night before knowing you have done something good for your health.

With a little prioritizing and adjustment making, I trust you’ll be able to find the time you need to get (and stay) active.

Allison Duxbury is an AFFA qualified fitness professional with over 15 years experience in group and personal training.  After many years travelling the world with her husband Rod, an officer in the British Army, they returned to her roots in Connecticut to bring up their young family and start her business: FitFocused.  Three years later, the business is thriving and her clients range from 9-year-old competitive Irish Dancers to an octogenarian veteran. Reach Allie at 860.304.9899 or fitfocused.com

Swim for the Summer

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Winter is the perfect season to hide behind long sleeves.  During the freezing months, dealing with less-than desirable limb shapes can easily be put off until it’s almost too late.  But with summer already upon us, its time to break out the sleeveless tops and get back into shape.

As desirable as the result may be, actually getting those sleek, toned arms before the summer months come to an end probably isn’t the most exciting way to spend your free time.  Let’s admit it, who doesn’t want to look good?

And exercising in the heat of August – who really wants to do that?  Why don’t you hit the pool for a little cool down, instead?  Believe it or not, swimming is one of the easiest and most effective ways to tone your arms and get your entire body into tip-top shape.

 Spending just an hour or two swimming each day can get you on the right track to a super toned upper and lower body – with no extra equipment needed.  Easy?  You bet!

I encourage you to work a little harder for the rest of this summer season to achieve a body that won’t leave you scavenging for reasons not to break out your favorite tank top or spaghetti-strap dress.  There’s no reason you can’t obtain a fit, desirable body and fit, toned arms.

Come join me for pool and aqua fitness classes this summer.  It’s not about swimming laps, but about fun with pool weights, bands, and noodles.

Get up, get out, and get fit!

Allison Duxbury is an AFFA qualified fitness professional with over 15 years experience in group and personal training.  After many years travelling the world with her husband Rod, an officer in the British Army, they returned to her roots in Connecticut to bring up their young family and start her business: FitFocused.  Three years later, the business is thriving and her clients range from 9-year-old competitive Irish Dancers to an octogenarian veteran.