Monday, May 30, 2011

Cope with chronic pain.

Research the pain you are feeling.  More than likely many people are experiencing the same pain.  The more knowledge you gain about your pain the more able you'll be able to cope with it.

Don't stop moving because you are in pain.  The more you sit, the tighter your muscles become due to lack of circulation.  Keep your muscles warm and nourished and be sure to get some exercise daily.  Go for a walk, swim or ride a bike.

Improve your diet.  Often times pain is a symptom of inflammation.  Saturated and trans fats can make inflammation worsen.  Find food that antioxidizes and provides vitamins to fight inflammation.  Try salmon, trout, nuts, seeds and olive or canola oils.  Spices like garlic, ginger, cinnamon and cumin also are helpful.  Also try to stick with whole grains which lower levels of C-reactive protein in blood-a marker for inflammation.

Get a massage or join a yoga class.  Many people who have received at least 6 - 12 months of massages or have practiced yoga consistently for 6 months or more have reduced their pain levels.  This is becuase yoga strengthens and lengthens muscles and massage increases circulation which provides fresh blood and nutrition to the muscles.

Try meditaiton.  Mindfulness-based techniques can reduce pain and anxiety and increase vitality.

Incorporate supplements.  Try omega-3 fatty acids for anti-inflammatory effects.  These fatty acids help to ease arthritis and back and neck pain.  Reasearch has shown that vitamin D deficiency has been linked to fibromyalgia and bone pain.  Talk to your doctor about what is best.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Cut car costs the easy way!

Keep the air filter clean.  Dirty air filters prevent sufficient air from reaching the engine.  This will cause a higher ratio of gas to be burned.  If you change your filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles, it can save you 50 cents per gallon.

Pump up the tires.  By the end of winter, most tires have low pressure due to every 10 degree drop in temperature the tire pressure drops.  Low pressure causes friction and creates a drag.  If you inflate to  the recommended pressure you could save 12 cents per gallon on gas and reduce your chance of a blowout.

Lighten the load.  Every 100 pounds of added weight reduces fule economy by 2 percent.  You could save up to 14 cents per gallon by reducing the load and remove unnecessary items.

Drive 55 MPH?  Unheard of!  Anyway, for every 10 miles over 55 mph reduces fuel economy by an average of five miles per gallon.  You spend an extra 3 cents per mile if you travel at 75 mph.  I better listen to this one!  YIKES!

Did you know the best day to get gas is on Wednesday?  If you wait to get gas for the weekend, you pay more.  I you wait until Monday, you pay more.

Use your cruise control and watch your fuel economy improve by 14 percent.  That will save you 51 cents per gallon.  I use cruise to stay within the speed limit.  Especially during a good song!  I save on speeding tickets.

Love those ads that tell you how special the big oil companies gas is?  Well, Maryland State Motor Fuel Lab did a study and found that brand-name gas isn't any cleaner or more efficient than generic gas - and brand-name gas will get you by an average of 20 cents more per gallon.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Thai Yoga Massage 3 Training

I just returned from my third level of my Thai Yoga Massage training.  I have a whole new routine and many new movements to practice and apply during my Thai sessions.  As I continue to learn and grow I can continue to offer you nothing but the best services in this area.
If you have not tried Thai Massage I highly encourage you to give it a try.  It's not the kind of massage you have probably had in the past.  Thai is a manipulation of muscles and joints as we stretch, massage and open the body in ways you have not tried before.  Go ahead and make the call the schedule an appointment today!

3 veggie juice drink recipes with health benefits!

Beet-Berry Blast
In a blender, puree 1/2 cup canned beets, 1/2 cup beet juice, 1 1/2 cups raspberries and 1 1/2 cups vanilla yogurt for 30 seconds or until smooth.  Add honey to sweeten and garnish with raspberries.
Beets rev fat burn.

Cool Cucumer Lemonade
Blend 5 cups peeled and chopped cucumbers, 1 cup chopped celery and 1 cup lemonade 30 seconds or until smooth.  Sweeten with agave syrup to taste and garnish with fresh lemon and cucumber slices.
Celery reduces stress.

Tomato Orange Sunshine
Combine 2 cups orange or blood orange juice, 1 1/2 cups tomato juice and 1/2 cup lemon-lime soda in a pitcher.  Sweeten with sugar to taste, if desired.  Garnish with orange zest curls.
Tomatoes ward off sun damage.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Is popcorn a diet food?

Popcorn is high in fiber and can indeed help you shed pounds.  The fiber in popcorn will help you end hunger pains.  Popcorn digests slowly and stays in your system longer and will help you feel fuller longer.  In certain studies, popcorn has been found to be more filling than  peanuts or a candy bar.  The candy bar because it is loaded with sugar and sugar is easily absorbed and stored in the body.  Popcorn will also help to build energy and improve your mood.
An air popper will be your best bet.  Popcorn from an air popper contains approximately 30 calories per cup.  Feel free to add some seasoning to it like seasoning salt or a dash of cayenne pepper for a bite.  If you prefer the easy micorwave popcorn, be sure to check the calorie content in each cup.  It could fool you and you could gain instead of lose.  I prefer the pops that say low calorie and low or no fat.  Try to stick with one that has about 20 calories per cup.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Help for body flaws

Belly Bloat:
White beans are loaded with potassium and can flush fluid and shrink your waist line by 2 inches a month.  Another benefit is that they block starch absorption and rev fat burn which will blast belly fat.  Try a cup a day.
Upper arm firmer:
Those sleeveless dresses getting you down?  Now that it is summer you may want to firm your arms.  Sit on a chair with your legs out in front of you.  Grip the edges and lift yourself off the seat.  When you are strong enough, scoot forward so your bum clears the chair.  Lower yourself as far as you can by bending your arms and then raise back up.  Repeat this 10 times twice daily.  Increase reps as you get stronger.
Cellulite Eraser:
Doing yoga for 20 minutes four times a week could smooth cellulite on the butt and thighs in as little as two months.  Try the half shoulder stand.  Lie on your back and bend the knees curling them towards your forehead.  Put your hands under your hips for support.  Hold for 10 deep breaths and then return to the starting point.  Repeat five times.
Fungus Fighter:
Apply Vicks Vaporub to infected toenails to clear up fungus.  The fungus fighting benefits are eucalyptus, menthol and camphor oils.  Massage in a dollop twice daily for at least three months.  Prior to clearing the fungus, when you want to dress up, put on Dr.'s Remedy enriched Nail Polish with tea tree oil and garlic extract which are natural antifungals.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Simple ways to love yourself!

Keep Birthday and Mother's day cards.  Also keep photo's of special times and simple sweet notes from friends and family that made you feel special.  Keep filling up the drawer and take time to open it and go through all of those special moments.  Just simple reminders of how special you are serve as power triggers and can turn your mood around.
Do you know that taking a break in the middle of the day will help you get more done?  Take a 30 minute break and read a magazine or listen to music and you will zip through the rest of your day!
Have you ever thought that talking to yourself makes you a strange person?  Well, don't be afraid to be your own best friend.  Next time you make a mistake, talk to yourself like you would your best friend.  If you focus too hard on your mistake negatively, it will set you up for another mistake.  Allow the tension to seep away and give yourself a pep talk.
Don't feel bad to indulge in a massage, soak in the tub or buy a new nail polish.  Just pick something you enjoy.  Delighting in indulgence will take away worries and lift your mood.  It will also boost your self confidence.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Spend less on gas

When you run your A/C you take one or two miles off your mileage. Save money and stay cool by turning on your A/C until your car cools down and then turn it off and press the "air recirculator" button.  Air recirculator is indicated by two arrows going in a circle. Your air will recirculate the chilled air inside the car and blow it back to you.  No more taxing the engine to keep cool.
Gas companies love to give out coupons to get you to walk through their door and make you a regular customer.  Look for gas coupons on grocery store receipts, coupon mailers and newpapers.  Also, check for promotions on gas company websites.
Credit cards offered by gas stations or regular credit cards offer cash back.  Discover Open Road care offers 2% cash back on up to $250.00 in gas purchases every billing cycle.  Go to PumpAndSave.com to learn more about cards the offer gas rebates.
Are you one of those that "top off" after filling up to round up the amount.  STOP!  Any extra gas you pump into the vapor line returns right into the station's storage tank.  The pump's vapor recovery system starts drawing hazordous fumes so they aren't released into the air.  Only pay for what goes into your tank.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Rhubarb Pizza

My favorite recipe my mother would make for us when I was a child...

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons shortening
1 egg, beaten with
2 tablespoons milk
3 cups diced rhubarb
1 box (3 oz. size) strawberry gelatin
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/3 cup melted margarine

PREPARATION:
Mix together first 5 ingredients until well blended. Pat mixture into bottom and sides of round pizza pan or a 9 x 12 inch cake pan. Spread rhubarb over bottom crust; sprinkle with dry gelatin. Blend together 3 remaining ingredients; sprinkle over rhubarb and gelatin. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

I have this book sitting on my coffee table.  Most of my clients are familiar with it and those that are not and read it, love it.  This is a wonderful and easy to read book.  It is forfilling and helps you to understand life.  It can help you to live life a bit simpler without being too serious.  You only get one chance at life.  Make it a good one.  Check out the book!  I love it...

Lower your blood pressure with food.

Did you know 65 million people have hypertension?  Here's what you can do to help prevent high blood pressure and a heart attack.
Butternut squash helps to flush out salt.  One cup contains 1,000 mg of potassium which helps to flush out almost 1 teaspoon of salt and lowers your blood pressure.  Other foods that contain potassium are:  spinach, dried fruit, refried beans and tomato sauce.
Sesame oil reduces the need for medicine by consuming 1oz of the oil daily.  After two months it can drop  your blood pressure by 32 points.  Sesame oil helps to relax blood pressure walls.  Drizzle some on your salad, cooked vegetables, noodles or your butternut squash!
High fiber diets help to diminish sugar spikes.  77% of people who ate a high fiber diet controlled their blood pressure as soon as one month.  Sugar is a proven high blood pressure trigger.  Eat a generous cup of lentils, baked beans, two cups of raspberries or a large artichoke.
Yogurt can lower your pressure by 25%.  The bacteria in yogurt acts like pressure lowering ACE inhibitor with no side effects.  Be sure to choose a brand that says, "contains live bacterial cultures."
Sipping 4 oz. of beet juice will lower your blood pressure 10 points for 24 hours.  Beet juice contains nitrate, a natural plant compound that's converted into artery-relaxing nitric oxide in the digestive tract.  Find the juice in health food stores or click the link on this post.  Feel free to mix a little pineapple, grape or apple juice with it.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Protect your skin this summer from the sun

Listed are a few great ways to protect your skin from the inside out.  Read on to see some simple steps that you can do to prevent the sun from destroying your skin.
Drink about 4 - 8 oz. of tomato or V8 juice daily.  The skin will soak up natural pigments from the juice and help block out at least 26% of the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Skin cancer can be reduced by 46% by taking 25mg of zinc daily.  Zinc will strengthen your skin cells to fight against damaging free radicals.
Taking a pain releiver twice a week such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce your risk of skin cancers by 30%.  It also lowers your risk of  ovarian cancer by 25%, colon cancer by 42% and lung cancer by 18%.  These non-steroid anti-imflammatory medicines reduce inflammation that play a key part in turning normal cells into cancerous ones.
Eat dark chocolate!!!  If your dark chocolate is 60% cocoa, it is packed with skin-healing flavonols.  This compound reduces redness and skin damage from sun exposure by 25%.  The result is smoother healthier skin.  Eat up!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Vision health and Red Wine

Drinking red wine is one of my favorite things to do.  Here's a good reason to follow in my footsteps.
Drinking a glass of red wine a day helps to lower bad cholesterol, reduces the risk of dangerous blood clots and helps to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
A compound found in  wine called Resveratrol, helps to block out and reverse the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina that leads to blindness in older adults.
1,000 mg of Omega 3s also block eye-cell damage that leads to macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in adults over 55.

Don't forget to drink your daily glass of wine....

Monday, May 9, 2011

The natural way to beauty.

Boost your hair's body with a Minty Hair Rinse.
Ingredients:
2 mint tea bags
1/2 cup boiling water
2 Tbs. Apple Cider Vinegar
Steep tea in boiling water for 2-4 minutes.  Remove tea bags and cool.  Stir in the vinegar and pour into a resealable bottle.  After you shampoo, condition and rinse your hair, pour the mint rinse into hair and scalp.  Yields one application.  The mint tea and vinegar will make your scalp tingle and your hair will be free of residue and full of body.

Brighten your complexion with Green Tea Face Scrub.
Ingredients:
1 green tea bag
3/4 cup boiling water
2 Tbs sugar
1 tsp honey
Steep bag in boiling water for 2-4 minutes.  Remove tea bag and cool.  Place 1 Tbs sugar in a bowl and add 1 Tbs tea.  Stir.  Add another Tbs sugar.  Stir. Next add the honey.  Spread the scrub over clean face and massage gently in a circular motion for 2 minutes.  Rinse with lukewarm water.  Yields one application.  Green tea reduces signs of aging, acne blemishes and UV damage.

Smooth cellulite with Ocean Body Scrub.
Ingedients:
1 Tbs powdered kelp
2 cups sea salt or sugar
1/3 cup apple juice
2 Tbs honey
Mix all ingredients and place in a jar with a tight fitting lid.  While in the shower, after washing, massage onto clean damp skin.  Leave on for 5 minutes.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.  Keeps for 2 days in the fridge.  Seaweed contains iron and zinc that detoxify the skin, boost circulation and improve skin tone.

Soften the skin with Peachy Keen Face Mask.
Ingredients:
1 ripe peach
1-2 Tsp warm olive or almond oil
After removing the skin and pit, mash the peach in a bowl.  Drizzle in oil and mix until it forms a paste that will spread.  After washing your face, apply with a clean make-up brush.  Leave on for 15 minutes.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.  The peach is packed with vitamins that boost skin's strength, elasticity and softenss.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Fruit Smoothies for a slim summer

Drink these delicious smoothies and forget about your weight for the summer:

Blackberry Friut Smoothie
Blend in a blender for 30 seconds or until smooth, 1 cup blackerries with 12 oz. vanilla yogurt, 1/2 cup apple juice and 1 cup nonfat milk.  Sweeten with sugar or honey to taste.
Not only do blackberries fade spider veins but yogurt also cuts fat storage.  Conjugated linoleic acid targets visceral fat.  This is the stubborn belly fat linked to heart disease.

Strawberry Fruit Smoothie
Puree 2 cups frozen strawberries, 1 cup nonfat milk and 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract for 30 seconds in a blender.  Sweeten with honey to taste.
The strawberries will help to improve memory while the milk will fire up metabolism.  The calcium in milk can improve the body's ability to burn fat for energy.

Orange Smoothie
Puree 3 cups frozen mandarin orange slices, zest and juice of 1 large orange, 1 cup plain kefir and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract in a blender for 30 seconds.  Sweeten with agave syrup to taste.
Oranges erase cellulite while defir wards off inflammation.  The milk in this recipe contains probiotics that cut the risk of weight gain by 22%.  Probiotics reduce inflammation which cause the body to put on pounds.

So what are you waiting for?  Drink up!!!~!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Smooth cellulite and shrink vericose veins by 35%

Cellulite is often a buildup of toxins that cause connective tissue to weaken.  Weakened connective tissue will allow fat cells to rise to the surface.  Receiving a daily massage increases the lymphatic drainage of toxins in troubled areas.  Massage can reduce cellulite appearance by up to 50%.  Starting at the furthest point away from your heart, massage olive oil into the skin in long deep strokes as you move closer to the heart.  Or call your Massage Therapist and have them help you out!
Chinese Medicine has traditionally used hawthorn berries to control vericose swelling.  Mao Sh Ni, M.D. suggests taking 350 mg of this supplement daily.  Try Nature's way Hawthorn Berries.  The berries contains anti-inflammatory saponins and antioxidant bioflavonoids.  Both of these ingredients will help veins to appear noticeably smaller.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Fix your knotted necklace and brighten your smile ;o)

How many times have you had to struggle taking a know out of your necklace.  I have been known to throw out a white flag and find another necklace to wear.  Here's what to do:
Place the necklace on a hard surface that will not stain.  Place a few drops of baby oil on the knot to lubricate the metal.  Find a safety pin and gently pull the knot apart.  Gently wipe the oil off of the necklace and it should be ready to go.
How much money have you spent whitening your teeth?  Do you know it could only cost a couple of dollars?  To eliminate stains, wipe your teeth with the inside of an orange peel once a week for 2 minutes before brushing.  The peel's astringent properties will polish andy stains and plaque while the vitamin C will help fight bacteria.

Wonderful CD for chanting and teaching yoga

If you are looking for a great CD for your yoga class, this is it.  If you are looking to learn some chants, this is it.
This is a well designed CD and Shatka has a beautiful voice.  I highly recommend this CD for your yoga practice.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Find your Focus


Forward Fold:  Uttanasana



Trying to find your focus after a stressful day at work can be impossible.  Try this yoga pose to clear your mind.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and inhale as you raise your hands to the sky (arms are extended above the head).  Exhale as you lower your arms bending through the hips into your forward fold.  As you continue to move forward keep the knees bent. If your hands do not reach the ground, either hold onto your elbows and place two yoga blocks under your shoulders and allow your hands to rest on them.  Hold for 1 minute.  The rush of oxygen-rich blood to the brain will make you feel more alert.