“Being here nine months, I love the saunas too.”

USA Hockey article today on player Ryan Lasch who grew up in California, played college hockey in Minnesota, and is now playing for the Lahti Pelicans of the Finnish SM-Liiga.  Ryan not only wore the “golden helmet” as points leader in the league, but is blending well off the ice as well.  Taking in his time in Finland, Ryan relates:  “Maybe the biggest thing about their culture is the sauna. They love their saunas and now naturally, being here nine months, I love the saunas too.”

 

Sauna, then nap: a perfect way to prep for a night out

A rainy afternoon.  2.5 hour sauna session.  1.0 hour nap.  Wake up.  Get dressed.  Feel excellent and recharged for a social evening.

Sauna is a great way to tee up for a nap:

  • Muscles relaxed.
  • Mind cleared.
  • Body in equilibrium.

We sauna enthusiasts enjoy the authentic sauna experience at varied times:

 

Sauna Car: mobile sauna from Estonia.

“Jacobsen uses it mostly for short trips.”

Sometimes a sauna works well when you’re having a bad day.


You don’t need to have your vehicle slide down a cliff to realize you’re having a bad day.  Hey, there’s worse things in life than almost losing your life, but this Norwegian could sure use a sauna.

Sauna enthusiast wins $12mm lottery and is giving away 500 authentic Finnish backyard saunas

The Illinois State Lottery reported today that Jari Tikkinen won the $12 million Powerball jackpot.  At a press conference, Mr. Tikkinen responded modestly when asked about his plans for the winnings:  “sauna.  Lots of saunas.”  Though it’s not clear how Mr. Tikkinen plans to fulfill requests for his sauna philanthropy, here’s some more information to get you charged up.

A sauna on the summit of Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak.

Leave it to four flamboyant Finlanders to hike to the Summit of Mont Blanc, and erect a wood burning, functional sauna.  Story and additional photos here.

Are you benefiting from the clean rinse after every sauna round?

A Clean Rinse after EVERY round:

  1. Flushes out open pores on your skin – ridding toxins, sweat, dirt.
  2. Contracts muscles, mind, body – accentuating the benefits explained in the rubber band theory.
  3. Stimulates euphoria – endorphin rush akin to intense exercise (yoga, running, biking).

BONUS:  A three round, three clean rinse sauna:  no post sauna shower needed, no soap, no messing around in front of a mirror, just a refreshed post sauna glow.

A clean rinse after EVERY round:

  1. At a lake cottage or cabin? Jump in the lake.
  2. At a backyard sauna? Stand under an outdoor shower or cold water bucket dunk.
  3. At an Indoor, health club or hotel sauna? Find the cold lever on the shower handle.

Like it says on the laundry detergent box:  Heat up, cold rinse, repeat.

“The only time you’ll feel cleaner after taking a sauna is just before you go in for a colonoscopy.”

But one’s disposition couldn’t be any more opposite.

Four fabulous food ideas for post sauna satisfaction

 

Saunaflow's Potato Skins served up post sauna.

We are well aware that sauna is best experienced NOT on a full stomach.  For sweating is a form of exercise.  Just as food tastes better after a work out or outdoor exercise, post sauna and a clean rinse is a perfect time to indulge and replenish.

Stephen's Chicken Soup warmed and ready after sauna.

Here are a four proven ideas:

1. Apres Sauna Potato Skins. Kati and Laura from Saunaflow recently won Sauna From Finland Association’s Food Sauna Contest with this recipe.

2. Chicken Soup. Stephen appreciates a nice bowl of his signature chicken soup after sauna.  Lots of liquid hydration and some sodium replenishment.

3. Pretzel, Cheese, Fruit Combo. No prep or cooking, just easy finger food enjoyment.

Twin City Sauna Club's Jerk Chicken fresh off the grill.

4. Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken and/or Boneless Buffalo Chicken. The Twin City Sauna Club swears by this tradition.  With an outdoor backyard sauna or cabin sauna, the outdoor vibe can continue, spilling out onto the patio, often times while rotating the chicken off the hot coals wearing just a towel, or nothing at all.  Jamaican Jerk Chicken flows nicely with a worldly sauna party music mix.

CONCEPT:  Sauna enthusiasts make for good chefs.

Care to share one of your favorite post sauna food ideas?

Be Well Philly encourages sauna use. Does this mean less crazy sports fans?

Be Well Philly magazine had a nice snipped encouraging folks to use the sauna at their gym.

The article references how sauna can do “wonders for your health” including:

  • muscle pain, achy joint pain relief
  • clean skin, healthy glow
  • physical relief from hypertension, heart problems
  • feel good endorphins for mental health

Many sauna enthusiasts have found a way to make health club saunas work for them, while others have leveraged these benefits exponentially by investing in their own sauna at home.

OPPORTUNITY:  an 8′x12′ corner in your backyard may change your (health & wellness) life.  Renting?  1.5 parking spaces could offer the same haven.  Landlord friendly, community building, and you can take it with you when you move.