Vincent van Gogh's 'Still life with meadow flowers and roses'

A still life once thought to be by Vincent van Gogh but later downgraded to the work of an anonymous artist because of doubts about its authenticity is indeed by the tormented Dutch impressionist, researchers said Tuesday.

The process leading to the confirmation reads like a cold case detective story, with a new X-ray technique helping experts re-examine what they already knew about the painting and draw on a growing pool of scholarly Van Gogh research.

A detailed X-ray of an underlying painting of two wrestlers and knowledge of the painter's period at a Belgian art academy combined to lead a team of researchers to conclude that "Still life with meadow flowers and roses" really is by Van Gogh.

The painting is owned by the Kroeller-Mueller Museum in the central Netherlands and was being hung there Tuesday among its other Van Gogh works. There was no real eureka moment for the team of experts studying the still life and the underlying image of wrestlers, said Louis van Tilborgh, a senior researcher at Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum who took part in the confirmation process.

"All the pieces just fell into place," he told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.
The painting, on a 100 centimeter by 80 centimeter (40x31 inch) canvas, was bought by the Kroeller-Mueller Museum in 1974 as a Van Gogh. The work was thought to come from the artist's period living with his brother Theo in Paris from late 1886.

"But when they hung it (in the museum), doubts crept in" about its authenticity, said Van Tilborgh.
Experts thought the canvas was too large for that period, the depiction of a vase brimming over with flowers and yet more flowers lying on a table in the foreground was too exuberant, too busy. The signature was in an unusual position for Van Gogh — the top right hand corner.

With the doubts piling up, the museum in 2003 decided to attribute the painting to an anonymous artist instead of to Van Gogh.

But the detective work did not end there.

An X-ray taken five years earlier had already revealed an indistinct image of the wrestlers and continued to interest researchers.

Now, a new more detailed X-ray has shown the wrestlers in more detail, along with the brush strokes and pigments used. They all pointed back to Van Gogh.

"You can see the wrestlers more clearly and the fact that they are wearing loin cloths," said Van Tilborgh.

Having models pose half naked was a defining characteristic of the Antwerp academy where Van Gogh studied in early 1886. So was the size of the canvas, the Kroeller-Mueller Museum said in a statement.
Vincent wrote to his brother about needing the large canvas, new brushes and paint. Theo helped the penniless artist buy the materials and a week later Van Gogh wrote back that he was delighted with the painting of two wrestlers.

Van Tilborgh said the brush strokes and pigments in the wrestlers painting also corresponded with what experts now know about Van Gogh's work in Antwerp.

The wrestlers also help explain the "uncharacteristic exuberance" of the floral still life, the Kroeller-Mueller Museum statement said — Van Gogh had to cover up all of the old image with his new work.
The detective work is described in a new publication by the Van Gogh Museum titled "Rehabilitation of a flower still life in the Kroeller-Mueller Museum and a lost Antwerp painting by Van Gogh."

Welkom bij het Kröller-Müller Museum

Win a Vancouver Island Spa Escape

Discover a truly spectacular Spa & Wellness destination—British Columbia’s Vancouver Island. Our romantic boutique ocean getaways make Vancouver Island a very special place…

• Voted Best North American Island eight years in a row by readers of Condé Nast Traveler
• Voted Best Island in Continental U.S. and Canada by readers of Travel + Leisure

Here’s your chance to win one of three Vancouver Island Spa Escapes for two, from Blackrock Oceanfront Resort, Brentwood Bay Resort and Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort.

Win one of three exceptional two-person, two night prize packages:

Drift Spa ~ Couples Massage

Enjoy a two-night stay in a panoramic ocean-view one-bedroom suite complete with king-size bed, spacious living room with gas fireplace and your own kitchen. Retreat to Blackrock’s Drift Spa for your 60-minute Couples Massage, with a Facial Fresh and an amenity set from Seaflora and BeeKind. Finally, enjoy a $50 food and beverage credit at the Fetch restaurant or Float bar and lounge.

Essence of Life Spa ~ Two Hearts Massage

Experience two nights at Brentwood Resort & Spa in a luxurious and spacious OceanSuite, including a king-size bed, private ocean-view balcony, fireplace and spa-like bathroom. In the morning, enjoy Breakfast on the Bay at the Seagrille restaurant. Relax at the Spa—Essence of Life, where you’ll experience a couples 60-minute Two Hearts Massage and then surrender to relaxation at the Spa.

Grotto Spa ~ Love on the West Coast

Stay two nights in a deluxe ocean-view room featuring a jetted tub and water views. At Tigh-Na-Mara’s Grotto Spa, you’ll experience the signature couples package Love on the West Coast, which includes a copper soaking tub for two with custom blended bath salts and oils; Grotto Signature massage for two; fireside glass of wine, cheese and fruit plate; a custom one-hour facial; and an Éminence organic skin care gift basket.

http://www.spasofamerica.com/contests/vancouver-island-spa-escape

 

Make 2012 Your Healthiest Yet With 10 Easy Steps

The Biggest Loser Resort and Spas of America offer the following 10 simple steps anyone can take to make 2012 their healthiest year yet:

1. Schedule Your Sleep. There is no way around this - either you get quality sleep (and enough of it) or your body will eventually work against you when trying to lose weight. Sleep is a precious time for your body to repair and rejuvenate. Lack of quality sleep can increase stress hormones which then store fat around your trunk/belly. On average, the body needs seven to eight hours of sleep at night so aim for that as much as possible. Quick tips - try to be in bed before 11 pm and avoid any active stimulation 30-45 minutes before bed.
   
   
2. Eat Your Carbs. Yes, we said carbs. Your body needs the right kind of them. A simple tip to selecting healthy carbs is this: If you can pick, grow, or harvest the carb, you are on the right track. This definitely includes eating all vegetables - eating vegetables helps you feel full while simultaneously giving your body some of the best nutrients for your body in the world!
   
   
3. Pick A Pattern. Your metabolism needs to be told what to do - you cannot think yourself thin! You can increase your weight loss by eating real food that your body recognizes - at the right times. For most people, the ideal pattern is to eat three meals and one snack per day. Quick tips - don't ever skip breakfast and keep dinner your smallest meal of the day.
   
   
4. Portion Control. Let's admit it, most people eat too much food. The reality is that your body does not require excessive portions. Work with a qualified nutritionist or dietitian to figure out what your individual body needs each day to run optimally. Eating smaller portions of real, unprocessed food will give you the nutrients your body needs and satisfy you throughout the day so you don't overeat.
   
   
5. Work It Out. Exercise is important and the combination of cardio and resistance training is ideal. Do an interval-based cardio workout that includes resistance training three to five times per week for a total of 60 minutes per session. If you only have 30 minutes per day, alternate cardio and resistance training days. Interval cardio workouts can be done on a stair stepper, doing sprints outside or simply on a treadmill. Resistance training can include using free weights, yoga, Pilates or just use your own body weight through pushups, pull-ups and sit ups.
   
   
6. Water Rules. Hydration is key to weight loss – drink approximately two to three liters per day. Quick tip - drinking most of your water between meals and very little during meals helps your body digest properly and enhances your body's ability to extract all the nutrients it craves from the food you just ate!
   
   
7. A Sunny Outlook.  Get outside and absorb some Vitamin D from the sun for at least 15-20 minutes per day. Ideally without SPF (okay to cover your face) for that brief time so you can soak in the Vitamin D. Talk to your doctor about this and have your Vitamin D levels checked annually or consider taking a Vitamin D supplement. This can change your life in more ways than you realize!
   
   
8. Sooth By Spa.  Take care of yourself in 2012. According to a survey of 1,000 people by the International Spa Association, 39 percent of the population visited a spa in the past 12 months and 86 percent of those customers said that visiting a spa has had a positive impact on their lives. Taking time out for you and your health allows you to focus, reduce stress in your life, reset what is important to you and helps you gain a clearer understanding of your priorities.
   
   
9. Quiet Time.  In this era of technology and instant contact, it is vital to carve out some time for you. Try to take a break every day to relax, clear your mind and collect your thoughts and regroup. The constant, frantic pace of life can be damaging to your health - remember to give yourself some peace when you can - even if for only a moment.
   
   
10. Camaraderie Counts. Surround yourself with people and activities that inspire, motivate and support you in achieving your goals. This year, find what you enjoy and love doing and go for it! If you want to lose weight and keep active, join an exercise class, fitness group or 'meet-up' in your area. If you're looking for a wellness getaway to get the fire of inspiration burning, consider a visit to The Biggest Loser Resorts!
    

The Biggest Loser Resort, Fitness Ridge, Utah
The Biggest Loser Resort, Malibu, California

Quebec's Le Nordik Nature Spa Expands West

The City of Winnipeg’s Crescent Drive Golf Course is getting the spa treatment sometime next year.

The city announced Tuesday it successfully wooed a top-rated Quebec-based spa franchise to open a new location, its first franchise in Canada outside Quebec, at the city-owned links.

Nordik Spa-Nature has agreed to build a $6-million spa at Crescent Drive Golf Course, which the city is sure will make the golf course a tourist attraction as well as giving an economic boost. The spa comes with 50 permanent full-time jobs and 50 contract jobs, the city’s announcement said.

The original Nordik Spa-Nature is located in Chelsea, Que. and since its opening in 2005, it has won accolades and awards, including being named one of Canada’s 10 best spas by The National Post.

The new Winnipeg spa is slated to open in 2012, the result of a two-year business courtship to lure the Quebec business to open a franchise on the prairies.

Le Nordik Winnipeg

Spa HDTV ~ Sundara Inn & Spa, Wisconsin Dells, WI

You're invited to energize your soul at Wisconsin's Sundara Inn and Spa.

Spa Cuisine - Niagara Summer Fruit Salsa

Just in time for summer, Niagara Falls' Marriott Fallsview Hotel has served up something to top off your next bbq. Chef Ron, from the Fallsview's Terrapin Grille Fallsview Restaurant has created a great summer recipe. This refreshing blend of fruits & veggies can be eaten alone or added on top of fish or chicken.

This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.

Ingredients:

*2 diced peaches (preferably free stone)
*2 diced black plums
*1 diced red pepper
*1 diced yellow pepper
*1/2 diced red onion
*1 diced English cucumber
*1 bunch of chives finely chopped
*1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
*1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
*2 tbsp honey
*1 tbsp kosher salt
*1/2 tsp siracha (Chinese hot sauce)

Directions:

Add all the ingredients and mix well. Flavors will be enhanced if made a day ahead of time. The salsa may be kept 7 days in the refrigerator. Serve with any grilled meat or fish.

Dietary information per serving:169 calories; 12g fat; 0g trans fat; 0g cholesterol; 11g carbohydrates; 2g fibre; 1g protein

Serenity Spa by the Falls, Marriott Fallsview 

Luxury spending set to rise

Spending by wealthy Americans on luxury goods is set to grow by $26.6 billion in 2011, with the number of affluent families planning to spend more almost doubling in the past three years, a poll found on Friday.
As the United States gradually emerges from its worst economic crisis in decades, the American Express Publishing and Harrison Group survey forecast spending on luxury goods to increase nearly 8 percent to $359 billion this year compared to 2010.

"It is a relief to finally be able to see a significant return of affluent consumers to the luxury marketplace," Jim Taylor, vice-chairman of Harrison Group, said in a statement.
But he said "the affluent consumer remains needs-based, resourceful and research-oriented."

"They will exercise discretion. They will pursue authenticity and extraordinary quality. They will engage in the art of the deal and the discount with relish. And, they will operate as families in need, not want," Taylor said.

The Survey of Affluence and Wealth in America polled 1,458 families with a discretionary income of more than $100,000 -- representing the wealthiest 10 percent in the United States who account for about 50 percent of all consumer spending.

It found that 15 percent of those families plan to spend more in 2011, up a quarter from 2010 and almost double from 2008, while the number cutting spending was nearly halved from last year to 9 percent and down two-thirds from 2008.

Taylor said that while 70 percent of affluent Americans still believed the country is in recession, they are less anxious -- concern over job loss has fallen 50 percent from 2010 and worries about the potential failure of their company are down to 11 percent from 28 percent.

"In the end, the increase in spending we foresee is not a return to the wanderlust of the past, but rather, an expression of sensible, resourceful, self-confident consumers expanding their portfolio of needs," he said.
"The nearly $4 trillion in their money market funds gives these consumers the power to purchase with cash. Their value equation reflects the price of recession: mature judgment," Taylor said.

A 2010 stock market rally, which pushed up the Dow Jones Industrial Average 11 percent, has also helped woo consumers.

Consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of U.S. economic activity, grew at a brisk 4 percent pace in the final three months of last year. But U.S. retail sales posted their smallest gain in nine months in March, as auto sales plunged and consumers felt the sting of higher gas prices.

The online wealth survey was conducted from January 31 to February 14 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.