Oceana Massage

Personal "Energy Crisis?

2011-07-28T10:15:00.001-07:00

Are You Having a Personal "Energy Crisis?"

What do you think is the most pressing health problem facing Americans today?

Cancer? Diabetes? Heart disease?

Those are certainly serious problems - but there's another health crisis that's being caused by the unprecedented stressbombarding us every single day and night

We're sleeping less and worrying more.

It's absolutely true.

Americans are so stressed-out...and all this stress is creating an epidemic of fatigue that's sapping their energy, stamina, and optimism.

America's other "energy crisis"

As a result, millions of adults are slogging through the day, feeling tired and worn-out -- half-awake and chronically exhausted.

To give you an idea of how widespread this problem is, sales of caffeinated energy drinks will top $9 billion this year! This is a product category that didn't even exist in 2002!

But caffeine just makes the problem worse!

That's because the underlying problem is that our adrenal glands have hit "burnout" due to the relentless stress we're under.

Consuming these energy drinks is like flogging an exhausted oarsman to make him row harder. "That's the real danger," according to Dr. Alan Pressman, "because this can cause a serious breakdown in the body's protective immunes system. That's the beginning of real health problems."

See Dr. Pressman's fascinating explanation here »

Other ways we're coping:

Even more troubling are the unhealthy ways people are coping with this barrage of stress-induced fatigue.

They're eating more to calm themselves (mostly fattening carbohydrate "comfort foods") ... drinking more alcohol and using recreational drugs ... turning to tobacco for stress-relief ... and gulping tranquilizers, painkillers, and sleeping pills in record numbers.

Of course, none of these can solve the "adrenal crisis" that's at the heart of the problem.

A new natural solution that does...

"When the adrenal glands are burned-out, the only solution is a ‘re-charge,'" as Dr. Pressman says, "like when you car battery is too weak to start the engine."

"Usually, the most effective remedy is a two-week vacation in the mountains or at the beach," he continued. "But few people take the time for that - so I came up with a solution that's the next best thing."

Written by Dr. Jonny Bowden

The war on Cancer by Dr. Mercola

2011-03-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

Winning the War Against Cancer Begins with Your Personal Choices

You can do a lot, right now, to significantly decrease your cancer risk. Even the conservative American Cancer Society states that one-third of cancer deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity, and carrying excess weight. So making the following healthy lifestyle changes can go a very long way toward ending the failure-streak and becoming one less statistic in this war against cancer:
Normalize your vitamin D levels with safe amounts of sun exposure. This works primarily by optimizing your vitamin D level. Ideally, monitor your vitamin D levels throughout the year.
Control your insulin levels by limiting your intake of processed foods and sugars/fructose as much as possible.
Get appropriate amounts of animal-based omega-3 fats.
Get appropriate exercise. One of the primary reasons exercise works is that it drives your insulin levels down. Controlling insulin levels is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your cancer risks.
Eat according to your nutritional type. The potent anti-cancer effects of this principle are very much underappreciated. When we treat cancer patients in our clinic this is one of the most powerful anti-cancer strategies we have.
Have a tool to permanently erase the neurological short-circuiting that can activate cancer genes. Even the CDC states that 85 percent of disease is caused by emotions. It is likely that this factor may be more important than all the other physical ones listed here, so make sure this is addressed. My particular favorite tool for this purpose, as you may know, is the Emotional Freedom Technique.
Only 25 percent of people eat enough vegetables, so by all means eat as many vegetables as you are comfortable with. Ideally, they should be fresh and organic. Cruciferous vegetables in particular have been identified as having potent anti-cancer properties. Remember that carb nutritional types may need up to 300 percent more vegetables than protein nutritional types.
Maintain an ideal body weight.
Get enough high-quality sleep.
Reduce your exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, household chemical cleaners, synthetic air fresheners and air pollution.
Reduce your use of cell phones and other wireless technologies, and implement as many safety strategies as possible if/when you cannot avoid their use.
Boil, poach or steam your foods, rather than frying or charbroiling them.

The New Year

2010-12-29T19:10:00.000-08:00

Its the new year, there is lots of talk of resolutions. Many people will make a resolution to concentrate on their health and many of my clients ask me, is it important to detox? In a word, Yes. Our bodies detoxify naturally with about 10% of that process occurring through the skin in conjunction with organs such as the liver, and kidneys. If one of those organs is stressed, you’ll get even less. We live in an environment with many chemicals in our homes, and in the air we breathe, we eat processed foods, and use microwave ovens, not to mention daily use of cell phones, TV's, radio’s and computers, we don't exercise as much as we should and we have increased levels of stress... This increased toxic load on our bodies means we absorb more than we can naturally get rid of, which may lead to increased rates of diseases like cancer or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

On our summer vacations, we typically eat well, drink more water, sit in sauna-like heat of 30 or 40 degrees, swim in ocean water heat to bath-like temperatures, and take cold showers that couldn’t be cold enough just to cool down. These are all really good ways to detoxify naturally – but we can’t be on vacation all the time!

Here are six ways to detoxify at home:

Drink warm or hot water with lemon first thing in the morning, before anything else. This will wake up your body and the lemon gently flushes toxins out of your body. As an added bonus this helps keep your blood at an alkaline PH; an acidic body is more likely to get sick.
Foot Pads - these pads have an adhesive backing that you stick to your feet. They encourage self-healing by promoting improved circulation of the blood and lymphatic system and absorb the excess toxins the body throws off. You can also stick these pads on any area of the body where you have pain or a rash, e.g. on the back, at the lungs for a cough, on the legs for itchiness.
Hydrotherapy - Contrasting showers promotes detoxification and strengthens the immune system by increasing the white blood cells. Start with 3-5 minutes of hot water followed by less than a minute of cold water. Repeat at least once, finishing with cold.
Salt Baths - soak in a tub to which you’ve added sea salt. Add one cup of sea salt to your bath and grab a book to read. Salts contain minerals and trace elements that are beneficial to our health
Skin Brushing - stimulates the lymphatic system and white blood cells migrate to the skin, as well as increasing blood circulation. Use gloves or natural bristle brushes, start with the feet and work your way up the body, always brushing towards the heart.
Exercise with yoga, jumping rope or qi gong.

Here are three more ways to help your body detoxify outside the home.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage – the lymphatic system is responsible for cleansing soft tissue just under the skin. It’s a network of vessels that carry toxins to your lymph nodes which then break down and purify waste. Some signs that it is overworked are cellulite, puffiness and, mostly, dark circles under the eyes. This type of massage stimulates the lymphatic system to allow it to more effectively do its job.
Foot Baths - An ionizer sits in a footbath with your feet; acting as a conductor it pulls neutralized particles (toxins, heavy metals, etc) out of your body.
Infrared Sauna - Also called Heat Stress Detoxifaction - there are many powerful reasons to have an infrared sauna. When you sweat, your body eliminates toxins; this is a profound method of eliminating environmental chemicals that are stored in fat cells. Start out for only 15 minutes at 150 degrees. Regular use contributes to as much as a 75% reduction of harmful toxins.

Lymphatic Drainage

2010-12-29T18:52:00.000-08:00

Each day the food that we eat and the air that we breathe causes a build up of toxins inside the body, causing many of us to feel tired, lethargic and unhealthy. Many health experts believe the toxins we take in are a primary cause of many health illnesses, pains and disease. Taking this into account, many people are making detoxing part of our regular routines. Detox treatments cleanse your body thereby helping prevent many of our current societal or cultural medical issues such as obesity, diabetes and even cancer. One detox treatment that I thoroughly believe in is Lymphatic Drainage Massage. This is a technique used to help increase lymph flow.

The Lymphatic system is the body's cleaner; it plays a critical role in helping our body keep healthy and prevent disease. We have lymph nodes all over our body and they work to move toxins through to the areas where there is a concentration of nodes such as the arm pit. The system moves in only one direction and is increased through movement. If there is not enough movement, even walking, the toxins become stagnant in the body. When this happens, we can become sick. Signs that you need Lymphatic drainage massage are frequent colds, joint pain, headaches, arthritis, loss of appetite, unexplainable fatigue, depression and even cellulite.

Postmenopausal Women Study

2010-12-28T04:06:00.003-08:00

FYI In a study of 28,586 postmenopausal women, ages 50 to 76 years, researchers observed a 46% decrease in breast cancer risk among women reporting very frequent (more than 3 bowel movements per day) than those reporting 1 bowel movement per day.

Vitamin B5

2010-12-28T04:06:00.001-08:00

Pantothenic acid helps turn carbohydrates and fats into usable energy and improves your ability to respond to stress by supporting your adrenal glands. Fatigue, listlessness, numbness and tingling or burning pain in the feet are all indications that you may need more vitamin B5 in your diet.

Calcium

2010-12-28T04:01:00.002-08:00

People are always talking about getting enough Calcium but did you know that an excessive amount of poor quality protein promotes calcium loss. Yes really. Get your calcium sources from seed butter, arugula, kale, collards, seaweed, canned salmon. You can also get it from supplements. If you're already taking them, have a look at the ingredient list and look at the form for Calcium. It is not being maximally absorbed if it is Calcium Gluconate, Carbonate, Dolomite, Phosphate or most common, Calcium Citrate. Calcium Asparginate is a great form of Calcium.

Vitamin C

2010-12-28T04:01:00.001-08:00

And while you're checking your supplements, ensure that your Vitamin C is a form called Calcium Ascorbate. This is not Calcium; this is a buffered Vitamin C.

UV Filters

2010-12-28T04:00:00.005-08:00

Swiss National Research Program found UV filters, which are common in cosmetics and sunscreens, were present in 85 percent of human milk samples tested. So babies are taking in this contaminated milk? Disgusting.

Waking yourself up?

2010-12-28T04:00:00.003-08:00

So you know all those night lights you have around your bedroom and bathroom, they could be what's keeping you up. Even the smallest amount of light stimulates the Pineal gland thereby reducing melatonin levels and keeping you awake.

Sugar and Fat

2010-12-28T04:00:00.001-08:00

Foods high in fat and sugar(like most Christmas treats) cause the brain to release many of the same pleasure chemicals that produce drug addiction, including cortisol, dopamine, galanin and serotonin.

Quote

2010-12-28T03:59:00.001-08:00

“Learn to relax. Your body is precious, as it houses your mind and spirit. Inner peace begins with a relaxed body.” - Norman Vincent Peale

Chemicals in your cosmetics

2010-12-28T03:58:00.000-08:00

Someone recently asked me about cosmetics. You know if you've been reading this page for a while that I'm all about getting rid of chemicals in your life - this particularly applies to make up. This billion dollar industry is killing us. Check out this website for help in figuring out whether your makeup is high on the hazard list. You might be surprised.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Ear Candling

2010-04-26T12:06:00.001-07:00

Ear candling has been considered to be a therapeutic healing method for thousands of years. This ancient therapeutic art was used by early civilizations and continues to be used by many cultures today. Ear candling is a natural and effective therapy in treatment of ear problems and many other ailments including sinus congestion, colds, the flu, sore throats, ear aches, ear infections sinus infections, lymphatic congestion, swollen glands, snoring balance and equilibrium, allergy symptoms, hearing difficulties (most forms) pain or pressure when flying scuba diving or other temperatures and elevation discomfort.

How it works

With the ear candle inserted into the ear the heat from the flame creates a stimulating, soothing warming effect to the tissues in an d around the ear. The mechanics of this process are partly physical and partly energetic in nature. The result is a stimulation of lymphatic drainage in the entire head and neck region. The Eustachian tubes open and relax, allowing improved drainage and pressure equalization. The sinuses are then triggered to start draining. The body’s disease fighting immune response is greatly enhanced in strength. This means quicker recovery and a rapid decrease in symptom severity from many illnesses.

Benefits of Massage

2010-04-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a good article about the benefits of massage.

http://thebodyworker.com/massage_blog/the-benefits-of-massage/

Why people really get sick

2010-02-28T17:27:00.000-08:00

Dr. Mercola is a world reknown doctor who has published some incredible findings. Check out this article where he talks about why people really get sick.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/02/13/david-wolfe-interview.aspx

Why manage stress?

2010-02-24T08:44:00.001-08:00

I am a big proponent of keeping your stress levels to a minimum and thought I'd post an article about why it's important. I talk a lot about your adrenal glands and how the systems you may be feeling could be due to exhaustion of those glands. Here's an article you may want to read.

http://jonnybowdenblog.com/adrenal-fatigue-got-you-down/#more-678

Great loving for ourselves

2009-07-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

Great love (and sex) starts with loving ourselves. Recently I had the extreme pleasure of hearing one of my favourite authors, Naomi Wolf speak. She spoke about women and their self esteem from her book, the famous Beauty Myth. I have been shocked to have had a few potential female clients who wanted to get massage but didn't because they were embarrassed about me seeing their bodies. When and more importantly HOW did we get so worried? I've been told by some women that they haven't worn shorts in years, even in extreme heat. How did this happen? Its likely because of the media.

Ms. Wolf describe how TV sponsors have been required to advertise diet companies like Jenny Craig right before a guest on the TV Show appears - if that guest is not close to the Barbie look. So if the guest is heavier, or not as attractive, they will be made to feel more unattractive with the preceding commercials. Ms. Wolf talked about anorexia and how the rates of obesity AND anorexia are both up exponentially and cosmetic surgery became the fastest growing industry. If you'd like to see an extreme case, have a look at the French model in an Italian campaign to bring about awareness here. She told us how the average north american woman would rather lose 15 pounds than achieve any other goal. Women, the most accomplished beautiful creatures, who have achieve more financially, politically and legally in these times than in any other time in history, still worry about how their bodies look in a bikini.

Women in hollywood are quite typically, and historically, blonde, tall, looking no more than 25 years old and weighing at least 20% less than what her height requires. And this is who women hold as their standard. Click here

I think its so funny that the winner of America's Next Top model, a size 10, was a Plus Size Model. There is another Dove video about a boy calling a girl he likes. The caption reads, Amy can name 12 things about herself she finds unattractive, Joey can find one. This is so prevalent in women.

The myth beauty is being skinny, blonde and young but what about thickness, it says beauty is found in youth. Older women can be cover girls too like actors Jamie Lee Curtis, Cybyl Shepard, Oprah, and Isabella Rossellini, all in their 50s and 60s. Some say beauty is the most fair skinned but look at all the colours of beauty.

"True beauty is found within yourself. Beauty is the radiance of truth and the fragrance of goodness. The best of part of beauty is that which no picture can express" - Francis Bacon Sr.

"The kind of beauty I want most is the hard to get kind that comes from within - strength, courage, dignity." - Ruby Dee

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which means everyone has to create their own definition.

Anorexia statistics are rising. But what strikes me is the little things, clients who worry that I'll judge them for not shaving their legs, or not eating or worrying that their arms are too big for short sleeves.

Even women's magazines at the grocery store takes the stand that we are not good enough; about how to improve everything from your looks to your sex life to how to finally lose those last few stubborn pounds (in only 2 weeks!).

I certainly weigh more now than I did in my younger years and yet, having gone through years of fighting media images and losing 30 pounds due to a health concern, I feel better about myself than I ever have. I went to Hawaii recently and while I was one of those women who for a short time didn't wear shorts, I bought a bikini and walked as those I was Cindy Crawford.

I talk to women who I am quite impressed with and then they reveal how they don't think of themselves as all that great, can't take a compliment and slander themselves at any chance.

Let's, finally, once and for all, stand up and love ourselves - just because...

Drinking cold water after a meal

2009-06-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer!
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

The importance of Eating Fruit

2009-06-14T20:46:00.000-07:00

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think; It's important to know how and when to eat.

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

It means not eating fruits after your meals. Fruits should be eaten on an empty stomach. If you eat fruit on an empty stomach, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

Fruit is the most important food - Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining - every time I eat water-melon I burp, when I eat durian (fruit from Asia with a foul smell yet delicious flavor) my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet,etc - actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat! Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes - all these will not happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic,because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health,energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans.. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins. But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it.

You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium,vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoid which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE: Sweetest medicine, eating 2 to 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C
& Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

Sugar and You

2009-05-05T08:05:00.000-07:00

How much TV do you really watch?” Just like the answer to that question, the answer to “How much sugar do you really eat?” is usually “hardly ever”. But did you know that eating just a tiny bit of sugar can affect your immune system?

Most people would never touch drugs but did you know that sugar is just like a drug, In fact, sugar is only one element in difference to a drug like cocaine. Like many drugs, sugar starts out as an innocent little plant and with heat and processing turns into a deadly consumable that can harm your body and your life. That may seem a little dramatic, but once you hear the following statistics, you may be off sugar for life.

In the early 1900s, the average North American ate about 5lbs of sugar in a year. These days, with added sugar in everything from savoury foods like store-bought spaghetti sauce to condiments like ketchup, we eat more than 100 times that amount (and it’s killing us).

What is sugar?

Sugar comes in many forms; sucrose (brown or white sugar), fructose, glucose and malt. (Honey can be included, though it isn’t as bad as the others when not pasteurised.) Sugar is derived from plants, liquefied and processed, bleached with chlorine and dried. There are no nutrients left from the cane and beet plants they came from. It has been studied and proven to be highly addictive.

What happens when you eat sugar?

When you eat sugar, your system takes nutrients from other places in your body so that this non-food can be processed. In the process, your immunity is sapped; calcium is sapped from your bones causing osteoporosis.

What does it do?

Sugar affects us in so many ways. Many illnesses that we hear about, like cancer and cardiovascular disease, were not even an issue in the early part of the last century. Nowadays, most people I talk to know someone who is suffering from devastating diseases like heart disease and cancer or even headaches, asthma, depression, diabetes, gallstones or arthritis or intense cravings for coffee or sugar (particularly in the mid-afternoon). These are all situations caused by the consumption of sugar. One of the most brutal ways sugar affects us is with our immunity. After consuming sugar, say the amount in a small chocolate bar, your endocrine and nervous systems are then affected and your immunity will stay suppressed for up to 5 hours. Your body’s defence mechanism would not be fighting a cold or heart disease or hypertension or fighting any other disease, for up to 5 hours.

Here are some of the ways sugar can affect your health:

· Sugar can suppress the immune system.

· Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.

· Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.

· Sugar can cause kidney damage.

· Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

· Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.

· Sugar can promote tooth decay.

· Sugar can produce an acidic stomach (disease cannot exist in an alkaline environment).

· Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.

· Sugar can increase total cholesterol.

· Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

· Sugar can contribute to diabetes.

· Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.

· Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.

· Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.

· Sugar causes food allergies.

· Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.

· Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.

· Sugar can cause depression.

· Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.

· Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.

· Sugar can cause hypertension.

· Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.

· Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.

What can I do about it?

Some people say its okay to consume a little bit of sugar, say 10-15% of your total calories. Other experts agree that you must be vigilant to eliminate sugar completely from your diet.

The first thing you can do is to begin to eliminate sugar from your diet a little at a time. Take one day a week without sugar and then increase to 2 and then 3 days a week. Read labels and buy items than don’t have sugar listed first in the ingredients on the label if at all. When you do eat sugar, look for fruit sugars as they are better for you than chemically refined white or brown sugar. Start to convert to Stevia, Xylitol and Agave Nectar all of which can be purchased at your local health food store.

Adopt the 80/20 rule – eat right 80% of the time and leave the 20% for weekends or nights out.

Sugar is a highly addictive chemical that causes death. Its not an easy road to change your diet, but one that you’ll be happy with immediately as your notice the changes in your body and mind and in future as a healthy elderly person.

7 Ways to Detox Daily

2009-05-05T08:02:00.000-07:00

1. Eat green apples; thy naturally detoxify as they bind metals with toxins and pull them out of the body.

2. Avoid processed foods, refined sugars and alcohol.

3. Add lemon to water to aid digestion.

4. Chew food well to aid digestion, which helps put less stress on the kidneys and liver.

5. Minimize the use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal care products.

6. Drink green tea.

7. Get regular massages.

Compiled by Barbara Fabian, January 2009

Drink A Coke Right Now

2009-03-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

What Happens To Your Body If You Drink A Coke Right Now?

December 8, 2006 by Liz Lewis
Filed under Drink, Prevention, Your Body

Have you ever wondered why Coke comes with a smile? It’s because it gets you high. They took the cocaine out almost a hundred years ago. You know why? It was redundant.

In The First 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor allowing you to keep it down.
20 minutes: Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat. (There’s plenty of that at this particular moment)
40 minutes: Caffeine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, as a response your livers dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked preventing drowsiness.
45 minutes: Your body ups your dopamine production stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain. This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.
>60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism. This is compounded by high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners also increasing the urinary excretion of calcium.
>60 Minutes: The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (It makes you have to pee.) It is now assured that you’ll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolyte and water.
>60 minutes: As the rave inside of you dies down you’ll start to have a sugar crash. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You’ve also now, literally, pissed away all the water that was in the Coke. But not before infusing it with valuable nutrients your body could have used for things like even having the abilityto hydrate your system or build strong bones and teeth.

This will all be followed by a caffeine crash in the next few hours. (As little as two if you’re a smoker.) But, hey, have another Coke, it’ll make you feel better.

[tags] coke, effects, pharmacology, soda, caffeine, sugar [/tags]

*FYI: The Coke itself is not the enemy, here. It’s the dynamic combo of massive sugar doses combined with caffeine and phosphoric acid. Things which are found in almost all soda.

A great healthy drink

2009-03-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

The "Immortal Health Elixir"

By Yarixa Ferrao

Usually you drink to quench your thirst. But there's a great tasting, energizing beverage that does much more for you.

I'm talking about Kombucha.

Kombucha is a lightly sweetened, fermented tea that dates back to China's Qin Dynasty (around 250 BC), where it was called the "immortal health elixir." The fermentation process forms:

Enzymes that aid digestion

Probiotics - the good bacteria that help with immune function, nutrient absorption, and inflammation reduction

Organic acids, which help detoxify the liver

Polyphenols, chemical substances found in plants that have antioxidant characteristics

B Vitamins, which help support and increase metabolism, maintain healthy skin and muscle tone, enhance immune and nervous system function, and promote cell growth

Best of all, Kombucha is low in calories and sugar, so you can drink it every day.

You can brew it yourself, but I don't recommend it. My favorite commercial brand is Synergy, available in lots of flavors, including Cosmic Cranberry, Gingerberry, and Gingeraide.

Self care & Cellulite Reduction

2009-02-08T17:13:00.000-08:00

Skin Brushing

Using a brush with real bristles, brush the skin in upward movements all over body or affected areas. Hand gloves may be substituted as it is ideal for removing dead skin tissue. This method increases the blood circulation. Brushing should be done before the bathing rituals and massage applications. This should be done every day.

Lymphatic Drainage/Cold Water Method

Use a detachable shower-head) Shower with cold water. The firm pressure of cold water will contract the blood vessels and lymph. Massage your skin with the water. Making sure you work inside the ledge, thighs and groin areas. Circular movements (clockwise direction) in abdomen region, then up the inner arms and armpits. (min twice a week during drainage sessions or as often as you can).

Hot Water Method

Bathing in hot water and having the water hot enough that you will sweat, but comfortable enough to lie in. Shower or sponge afterwards to wash off sweat. Hot baths should be done twice a week during sessions.

Bathing methods

Bathing in Epsom salt is ideal, as the salt draws out the toxins in the skin. Use 2 handfuls of Epsom salt and 1 handful of rock salt in bath. You can mix with dry lavender, 6 drops of lemon and 8 drops of grapefruit essentials oils.

Improving cellulite appearance

Fill the bathtub and add 2 drops of each oil: Juniper, Grapefruit, cypress and Mandarin. Mix well in water before climbing in. This mix is mildly astringent and it will temporarily tighten the skin, improving the appearance of cellulite.

If you have dry skin, try premixing the oils with one teaspoon of a carrier oil, along with a 1/2 cup of milk or a tablespoon of honey for added moisturizing benefits.

Essential Oil Bathing

Bathing in essential oils is very beneficial. The oils in the bath penetrate the skin by osmosis. Pinching and gently pummeling the cellulite areas will help break-down the fatty deposits.

Daily Massage

Massage the areas in upward movements towards the heart. Using the pads of your fingers, thumbs and “spongy areas” of the hand. Massage should be done in the morning and when you go to bed. Twice a day, if time permits. Massaging the cellulite areas should also be done during the bathing rituals.

Aromatherapy & Pregnancy

2009-02-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

There are some divided ideas on the dangers of certain essential oils used in aromatherapy during pregnancy, but since this time should be a time to enjoy and to prepare for the upcoming birth of your child, it would be wise to rather give some essentials oils a miss.

Aromatherapy can be a great benefit during pregnancy and assists in minimizing some of the discomfort and aches.

There are however some compounds in certain essential oils that have hormone-like behaviour because of their molecular structure and although there is no conclusive evidence on the effect of estrogenic oils it would be prudent to avoid anethole rich oils, like fennel and aniseed during pregnancy.

This list has been compiled with oils that are recommended to be avoided in pregnancy.

Almond – bitter Aniseed

Angelica Root Basil

Birch Black pepper

Camphor Caraway

Cedarwood Cypress

Chamomile* Cinnamon

Clary sage Clove

Eucalyptus Fennel

Fir Geranium

Ginger Hyssop

Jasmine** Juniper

Lavender* Lemon

Lemon grass Marjoram

Melissa Myrrh

Nutmeg Oregano

Pennyroyal Peppermint

Pine Rose*

Rosemary Sage

Stinging nettle Tansy

Thyme Yarrow*

Wintergreen

Chamomile, lavender & rose may be used in low doses in last trimester. ** Jasmine can be used during delivery, as it will ease labour.

Written by Deb Drummond

Exfoliating your skin

2009-02-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

Get rid of it. Get rid of the dead skin making your face and body look dull, lacklustre and well, older.

Our bodies are amazing, even to the point of sloughing off and renewing our own dead skin. But the rate at which this happens slows as we get older and as people go from their 30s to their 40s and 50s, decreases from 20 days to up to 40 days. As this natural process slows, dead skin dead skin cells pile up on top of each other (eew!) resulting in skin being thicker, duller-looking and drier. Dead skin also prevents oxygen, moisture and nutrients from reaching your living skin, and then sags and holds onto wrinkles.

So you might be asking, “Where is the radiant skin I used to have?” - Its there; you just can’t see it underneath the dead skin cells. Only by exfoliating will your skin reveal its gorgeous self. Gentle exfoliation using a salt rub with essential oils such as Lemon or Peppermint or my exceptional Coffee Grind Rub, also helps with ingrown hairs. For men, exfoliation lifts your beard up, meaning a closer shave.

Sun Tanning

2009-02-08T16:59:00.000-08:00

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of tan lines on my massage table. This can be a good thing as it means we’re out getting some sunshine. But mostly, it’s a concern. You won’t get cancer from being in the sun - in fact, the sun helps your body make Vitamin D, which protects you from cancer. You should, however, protect yourself from burning and we all know to stay out of the sun in peak hours. There is a lot of controversy over tanning and sunscreens. Sunscreens are often touted as a defense against cancer but in fact may contribute to it. Some chemicals in sunscreen are carcinogenic or toxic. There are new lines of sun products are coming out – one that I like (recommended by Brenda Eastwood, RNCP) is called Miessence Skin Care Line. This is a new, non-toxic sunscreen that won’t lead to cancer. As well, there are a couple of new lines of clothing specially designed for surfers that protect you against the sun. If you’d like to learn more about sunscreens, give me a call and I’ll give you some great resources.

Trouble Sleeping?

2009-02-08T16:57:00.000-08:00

I hear so often from my clients that they have trouble sleeping. It is critical to your health and over all well-being to get a sound sleep - just as important, if not more so, than diet and exercise. Did you know that 75% of adults have frequent bouts of sleeplessness? Lack of sleep can cause your normal functions to weaken due to the increased levels of cortisol in your body. There are more reasons for the inability to get to sleep or stay asleep than there is space for in this newsletter. Underlying causes include stress, anxiety, and depression.

You do not have to rely on over-the-counter medications. There are a number of ways that you can help yourself sleep. First of all, lessen the amount of mental stimulation (e.g. Television, computer work) at least one hour before you plan to go to sleep. Do not eat sugar in your dinner or after dinner snack as it causes your blood sugar to spike. Take a high quality, high dose of Magnesium supplement or alternate source of magnesium before bedtime – magnesium directs the calcium in your body to help you relax and fall asleep. Having a massage starts your evening ‘slow down’ process. Rub an essential oil like Lavender, Marjoram, Sandalwood, or Rose on the soles of your feet before bed – within 20 minutes, it will circulate in your body and provide immeasurable calm so you can sleep

Cellulite

2009-02-08T16:56:00.000-08:00

I didn't know that...
Summer is here, I can tell because everyone’s car windows are down and kids in bathing suits are running through a sprinkler in their front yard. For most women, that brings up unwanted thoughts of beach and bikinis which brings to mind the dreaded “C” word – Cellulite. Everyone has it. Whether they’re thin or overweight, 85-90% of women have it. Even thin and physically fit celebrities like Pamela Anderson, Britney Spears and Nicole Kidman have it. While its not easy to get rid of and every company out there has THE product to get rid of that cottage cheese skin, (308,000 hits on Google), there are some ways to fight it.

Cellulite is fat that has pushed through cell walls into the middle layer of skin and so shows through to the surface but it doesn’t really matter what it is - What’s important is how do you get rid of it? The secret is to keep the blood vessels open and flowing smoothly. Drink lots of water, avoid salt and processed food (water retention contributes to cellulite problems), kick the coffee and the smokes (because these constrict your blood vessels) and get regular exfoliating massage. In between treatments, practice drybrushing daily and bathe a couple of times a week in Cellulite Salts with Cellulite Essential Oil Blend which will pull toxins from your body. Ask me if you’d like more information.

Couples Massage

2009-02-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

When you get a massage you are likely to feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and ready to relax for the rest of the day. The next day, you’ll be ready to take on your world!! Imagine having that same feeling and sharing it with someone you care about.

If you feel restored after a massage, what would happen if you and your partner had one together? What would happen if you two were on the same wave length, at the same time? This is synergy and this is what happens when you have a Couples Massage. Having a massage together creates the common ground of an experience. After a massage at the same time, in the same room, many of my clients have said they feel better about themselves and about their partner and that they are more loving and patient to their kids and everyone in their world. It’s the power of touch and touch is fundamental to human existence.

Babies, particularly in Third World countries, it is said, have died without touch, despite having food and shelter, in what is called “Failure to Thrive”. In relationships where one person doesn’t talk much, touch is a way to communicate, to build good feelings for each other. Ladies, this is also a great way to introduce your man to massage if he is a little apprehensive about it. Nurturing touch is very important for our soul and for our emotional heart, something that often can be lacking in a relationship.

This experience, this synergy, is not just for couples. Anyone can experience this participation in harmony. How would your friend, mom, even co-workers react with a ‘morale-building’ exercise like this one?

Sports Massage

2009-02-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

What do Joe Montana, Martina Navratilova and Michael Jordan all have in common? All three are athletes who have reached the top of their sport. What helped them to get through their gruelling practice session was sports massage.* While you may not be a Michael or a Martina, maybe you’ve put your runners away because it’s snowing outside, maybe you have your skis or snowboard waiting on ‘Standby’ at the door. After a day on the slopes or if you’re still running outside, you likely need to give some extra love and care to your muscles. That’s where sports massage comes in.

So often I hear a client say they started to feel a small ache or bit of a ‘pull’ but ignored it thinking it would go away. The issue comes when it didn’t go away. Post-event sports massage, given within 4 hours of exercise, could have alleviated that situation promptly. Rehabilitative massage can also help, but again you need it within a few days at the latest. Ignoring the situation causes increased pain or other overuse injuries.

For athletes or the ‘weekend warrior’, giving your hips and leg and back muscles a post-event and rehabilitative massage is just what you need to keep you on the move. Sports massage aims at recovery, normalizing your stressed muscles and treating any minor muscle tissue complaints you may have. Sports massage is different though; for one thing, it isn’t the relaxing style that you get at a spa. This might cause you to groan and gasp just a little. while this can still be ‘full body’, we concentrate on the area that’s been a problem, the areas that are used in your sport of choice. If you have tight, stiff, sore muscles, or edema (swelling) is evident around certain joints typically caused by overuse or improper body mechanics. The specific techniques involve compression and broadening of the muscles, deep sliding strokes, cross-fibre and transverse/circular friction; ‘picking up’ the muscles brings blood and oxygen to an under-stretched muscle. Sports massage also includes facilitated stretching, helping you get rid of any lactic acid built up during your activity.

Stages of Rehab include several stages such as the primary focus of reducing muscle spasm, then restoring flexibility, and rebuilding muscle strength and endurance.

A little sports massage and you’ll be running out for more exercise.

* quoted from “Sports Massage for Every Athlete” by Michael J. Taylor, LMT

A Cause for Concern

2008-01-30T05:24:00.000-08:00

Our environment is making us fat. We drive more, exercise less, eat bigger portions, and consume more liquid calories than ever before. It's that last point that many experts believe is an underappreciated reason for weight gain.

Researchers from the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina examined dietary records of U.S. adults from as far back as 1965 to as recently as 2002. What they found is a cause for concern.

In 1965, only 11.8 percent of the average adult's calories came from beverages. However, that number significantly increased to 21 percent by 2002, largely because of an increase in the consumption of sweetened beverages.

Another problem the researchers noted is the huge increase in available beverage options. We now have energy drinks, sports drinks, sweetened teas, juices supplemented with vitamins and antioxidants, and more sodas than ever before.

A proven way to reduce your calorie intake and risk of weight gain is to eliminate sweetened drinks from your diet. So stick with unsweetened iced tea, water, green tea, and a small amount of coffee each day to quench your thirst. Avoid all sweetened beverages. Unless you are exercising for more than 90 minutes, forget about the Gatorade and stick to plain water.

by Craig Ballantyne

The Marathon Monk

2008-01-26T07:47:00.000-08:00

The marathon monks of Japan are a group of Buddhists who push the limits of human endurance in search of a higher plane of spirituality. The ritual followed by these monks is almost beyond belief:

1st year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2-mile marathons, beginning at 1:30 a.m., each day after an hour of prayer
2nd year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2 mile marathons
3rd year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2 mile marathons
4th year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2 mile marathons - performed twice
5th year: 100 consecutive days of 26.2 mile marathons - performed twice
On the 700th day, the monks undergo a 9 day fast without food, water, rest or sleep - a mind-boggling feat which would result in certain death for most human beings, before having a short rest of a few weeks and increasing their gruelling schedule
6th year: 100 consecutive days of 37.5 mile marathons
7th year: 100 days of 52.2 mile marathons and 100 days of 26.2 mile marathons.

Throughout the night they run and pray, stopping at different stations along the way to recite prayers and perform ritual chants. Upon completion of each day's marathon, the monks perform chores such as cleaning the temple and they continue to pray throughout the day, until retiring at 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. The ritual begins again a few hours later. If at any time the monk finds himself physically or mentally unable to complete the 100-day ritual, he is duty-bound to commit suicide by hanging himself with the belt from his robe or through ritual disembowelment.

And you thought the London Marathon was difficult!

Tips on Receiving a massage

2008-01-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

SHOWER
Showering just before your massage washes off any salts, minerals or chemicals that could clog pores when mixed with massage lotions or oils.

MINERAL BATH
A Mineral Bath is recommended before a massage for complete relaxation.

IN THE MASSAGE ROOM
You will be able to take your clothes or robe off and cover yourself in privacy. You will be draped with a sheet throughout the service.

TALK WITH YOUR THERAPIST
Before your massage begins, tell your therapist which areas you would like to focus on, and any areas to be avoided. During your massage, let the therapist know if you feel any discomfort. Communication is the key to getting a great massage.

WHAT IS A DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE?
A good massage therapist is eclectic, multi-talented and devoted to giving you a massage that will satisfy your needs. Remember, deep pressure doesn't mean better and receiving a deep therapeutic massage shouldn't cause pain. Please communicate with your therapist to "listen" to your body.

RELAX
Close your eyes and allow your mind and body to quiet. Focus on how you feel. Breath deeply and let tension slip away with each breath. Remember, this time is for you.

If you have never had a professional therapeutic massage before, you could be intimidated by what you do not know or you may not be aware that the successful outcome of your massage session depends largely upon - not only your massage therapist - but also on how you prepare and receive the massage. So what can you do to benefit the most from your experience?

Preparing is about Attitude

First, how do you view taking time out for yourself? Do you view it as being selfish, time better served towards family, or time well spent in caring for oneself? Our views towards our own self wellness stem from our cultural, environmental, or social values. If we feel guilty when we are having a massage, it is counter productive to becoming stress-free and relieving tension. Adjusting our attitude towards our own self-wellness may be the key to unlocking our stress-relief and tension-free self.

Are you worried about nudity? Are you concerned that your therapist will be making judgments regarding your physical appearance? Therapeutic professionals are specially trained to ensure that your personal dignity is maintained throughout the entire treatment. Draping techniques are used that will only uncover the areas of which are being worked - areas that are defined by you. You can undress to the level of your own personal comfort. Your therapist is trained to observe your body's structural and muscular condition, not its physical appearance.

Preparing our Bodies

Considering that the majority of your body's weight is made up primarily of water, water is essential to maintaining your body's well-being and health. A massage will flush toxins from your body's muscles to your lymphatic system, thus requiring that you follow the treatment by drinking water to remove these toxins from your body; how much water depends upon your age, weight, and other such factors.

You should not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs prior to your treatment. These will adversely affect the outcome of your massage. Allowing thirty minutes to an hour between eating and receiving a massage is recommended as your body's digestive system is still actively processing during this time.

If you wear contact lenses, you will not want to wear these during your massage since they will become dry. If you choose to wear your contacts during your treatment, be sure to bring your contact solution to moisturize your contacts after your session.

Removing your jewelry and safely securing them with your belongings is also recommended, this may include body piercing as well. Bring an antiseptic with you if you have a naval or other body piercing to sanitize the area before and after your treatment.

Preparing Your Therapist

Arrive early for your treatment, approximately by ten to 15 minutes, to finish the paperwork that you will need to provide to your therapist. This is the perfect time to discuss any questions and concerns that you may have such as how much clothing to remove, draping procedures, etc. Some massage therapists and spas require that payment be made prior to the treatment session. Gratuities are not included at this time; although it is usual and customary for a 15% - 20% tip.

In a general sense, you will complete paperwork that outlines your consent on the treatment, what treatment will be received, and what areas that you would like to be worked. You will also complete a health history. This health history will help you and your therapist to determine the best massage techniques or modality to use for you. You will need to include any conditions, diseases, medication, vitamins, and past medical procedures that you have had in the past or are currently undergoing so a proper assessment can be made.

There are a few medical conditions that will limit what massage techniques that can be used during your treatment. For instance, a diabetic will not be able to receive a deep tissue massage or another sugar stimulating treatment. Other medical conditions can also negate an individual from even receiving a massage, such as an individual with certain types of immune system or blood disorders. If your medical condition will allow a massage under specific circumstances, it is best than that your health care provider's consent is given in writing to the therapist before a treatment can be received. This consent should comprise of specific details on what areas and techniques can and can not be included in the treatment session. If your treatment will be limited in any way, this will be discussed by your therapist prior to your session.

Since your treatment will take several minutes, it is recommended that you utilize the restroom prior to your treatment.

Receiving the Massage

Finally the moment has arrived for your massage. So what now? Your therapist will direct you to your treatment room where you will receive instructions for your treatment session, such as lying on your stomach on the table, getting in between the linens, etc. Your therapist will leave you to undress.

As you begin your massage, your therapist will give you any additional instructions as required throughout the treatment. Your only job now is to relax, breathe deeply, and concentrate on having a stress-free experience. If the therapist needs to make adjustments to the placement of your limbs, allow the therapist to move them. Not you. This will allow your mind and body to completely rest.

In order to benefit from the massage, you may want to keep conversation to a minimum or if it helps you to relax more, then chat away. Refrain from soliciting advice from your massage therapist on anything not pertaining to your treatment session since he/she is not qualified to provide it. If any conversation is distracting to your primary goal of stress and tension reduction, it is best left for outside the treatment room.

If at any time during the treatment session you are uncomfortable, let your therapist know immediately so the necessary adjustments can be made. If the adjustments do not relieve your uncomfortableness, you have the right to discontinue the massage at any time.

At the end of your treatment, your therapist will again step out of the room for you to dress. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to ask! Before getting off of the table, take a moment to reorient yourself. Your feet may have some residue left on them from the massage oil, cream, or lotion that may make the floor slippery. You can take your time in getting dressed and check around for any forgotten items, especially jewelry and watches. Remember, it is good practice to drink water after your treatment to help flush the toxins from your body.

Tipping is customary for good service. Usually it is approximately between 15 - 20% of the cost of the treatment session. Depending upon the locale, some spas will have an envelope for you to place your tip for your massage therapist. This is also a good time to make your next appointment.

After the Massage

After your massage, you will want to avoid doing anything that is particularly laborious for the next few hours, such as working out. Some individuals may feel sore the next day from their massage depending upon the therapy technique or modality used. If you had any aromatherapy during your session, it may also be advisable to avoid direct sunlight to ward off heat sensitivity and/or sunburn.

Nov 18, 2007Written by Joe Smartly

Fibromyalgia, Breast Cancer & Massage

2008-01-12T09:23:00.000-08:00

In a study conducted by the Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami on women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, the women received regular massage therapy (three times a week for five weeks), with 80 percent showing improved immune function.

Another TRI study addressed fibromyalgia (a chronic condition characterized by muscular pain, aching, and/or stiffness and afflicting an estimated 3 – 6 million Americans). A portion of the study group received 30 minute massages twice a week for five weeks. The rheumatologists that evaluated the results determined that this group experienced decreases in pain, fatigue, stiffness and improvements in the quality of sleep.

Why massage?

2008-01-11T22:16:00.000-08:00

The most obvious benefit shared by virtually everyone is that a full body massage makes you feel great! The stress-relieving, soothing results are enough for many to include massage as a regular part of their lives. But what of the less obvious benefits?

The first sense to develop is your sense of touch. It’s not surprising when you consider that each square inch of your skin contains roughly 50 nerve endings. With as many as five million total touch receptors in your skin relaying messages on to your brain, your body’s initial response to massage is to relax and de-stimulate. Even a simple touch has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the heart rate. Touch can also signal the brain to produce endorphins, your body’s natural pain suppressors.

Going deeper, massage can restore suppleness and strength to your muscles, improving their overall function. It’s the ideal treatment for releasing tension or muscles in spasm and helps to release toxins such as lactic acid (produced by muscle tissue during exercise), as well.

Proper circulation is vital to continued health. Your blood and lymph carry nourishment to the trillions of cells throughout your body and then carry away the waste to be eliminated from the cells. Massage encourages a better exchange of nutrients at the cellular level and more thorough detoxification. Remember, the future "you" is determined by how well your army of cells regenerate themselves, so this is indeed a critical part of remaining healthy.

The nervous system is your communication network, sending messages constantly that determine proper functioning throughout your body. Stress can affect the ability of the nervous system to do its job. The many nerve endings found in the skin and muscles are soothed by massage, and this contributes to keeping your internal lines of communication open and operational.

Massage also aids in maintaining flexibility in your joints, such as the knee, hip, spine, shoulder, and neck. These joints are thoroughfares for nerves, veins and arteries, so their freedom of movement allow energy and blood to flow unimpeded.

So, you can see massage does quite a bit more than just relax you and work out the kinks in a sore back. Since massage has been practiced for thousands of years and is one of the earliest known health treatments known to man, why don’t you hear more about it in today’s society?

In fact, massage today is rapidly growing in popularity and reputation. Besides being misunderstood, massage has had to overcome the reluctance many people have regarding physical contact. Of course, once they experience a therapeutic massage for themselves, most people are hooked.

A 1997 Life magazine article explored some of the research underway regarding the benefits of massage. Undertaken by the Touch Research Institute in Miami, ongoing studies are showing amazing results, as the following quotes indicate:

"...More than 50 TRI studies have shown massage to have positive effects on conditions from colic to hyperactivity to diabetes to migraines — in fact, on every malady TRI has studied thus far. Massage, it seems, helps asthmatics breathe easier, boosts immune function in HIV-positive patients, improves autistic children’s ability to concentrate, lowers anxiety in depressed adolescents...

"...Massage can increase the lymph flow rate. It enhances immune function and lowers levels of (two) stress hormones...

"...Field (the director of TRI) worries that Americans aren’t getting enough touch...At the TRI preschool, teachers encourage ‘positive touch.’ They dole out unlimited hugs, backrubs and shoulder pats...Most of the 40 children, from six months to five years in age, get a daily 15-minute rubdown, which leaves them according to TRI research, more alert, more responsive, able to sleep more deeply..."

As you can see, massage offers more benefits than you may have imagined. Isn’t it good to know that something that feels so great can contribute to your long-term health as well? Let’s work together to help you get the most from your massages — see you at your next appointment!

California Massage

2008-01-11T22:14:00.001-08:00

California massage is based on the principle that we are whole, connected to ourselves and to this earth, and deserving of compassionate touch. It is an oil-based massage, which uses long, encompassing strokes, incorporating the entire body, while focusing on the breath to help clients become aware not simply of where, but of how, they hold tension within their body.

Lemon Fresh Scent

2008-01-11T19:52:00.001-08:00

Lemon – This oil aids in cleansing organs when added to your bath water or for battling cellulite when mixed with Black Pepper in a carrier oil rubbed onto those problem areas. It helps clear up the grey tone in a smoker's skin. I like it to clean my house by adding it the laundry water or using it to wash floors and walls. After using lemon, everything smells so fresh and really clean.

Put yourself first

2008-01-11T19:51:00.001-08:00

When on an airplane, we’re told to put on our own oxygen mask and then put the one for our child. So why don’t we apply the same principle through the rest of our life? Women are particularly at risk for taking care of everyone else and not themselves. At the beginning of the year, after weeks of Christmas eating and drinking too much and exercising less (or not at all!), people invariably think about their health. Many people have a goal to think more about their health through the new year. We know all the right things to do to take care of ourselves, so why don’t we do it?

Neglecting ourselves might be a lifelong habit or one we developed as we got older, due to increased responsibilities. Regardless of the reasons, it is a habit that we must break because if we don’t, our bodies won’t forgive us as we get older. First, as we age, we may find our sleep is disrupted, maybe waking once or twice in a night. We may get numbness in our hands and feet. We may need to stretch as soon as we wake up to ‘get going’. Coffee and alcohol might affect us where they didn’t before, or we just don’t have the energy we once had. We may experience forgetfulness, or feelings of failure or just not ‘doing enough’.

Despite these annoying but ultimately ignorable issues, some people don’t take care of themselves. Why is that? There are many reasons like lack of time or money; even where this isn’t an issue, some don’t take advantage of life-saving habits. If this is you, you need to ask yourself some questions?
Do you think its selfish to take care of yourself? Is it scary to think about your own needs? Do you have trouble asking for what you need? Do you feel guilty taking time out of your day just for you? Is there some payback for me not taking time for me?

It’s a choice really. We need to choose to put ourselves first. If you’re going on a driving holiday, the first thing you do is fill up the gas tank. Mother Teresa said, “to keep the lamp burning, we need to keep putting oil in it”. It’s the same with our bodies. We need to decide to give as much to ourselves as we do to our friends, family, co-workers/boss, kids, the gas station attendant, the paperboy, the dog, the cat, the fish... Why not make a decision, a choice, that once a day, even once a week or once a month to get you started, you take time for yourself. Stop and call the person you’ve been thinking about, go for a hike on one of our gorgeous mountains, take a bath, read a book, meditate or get a massage. This says, “I value myself”.

Once you commit to a regular plan, schedule it in – you’ll feel good, you’ll feel luxurious, maybe even sinful. If you allow yourself, you’ll do it more often.

Balance

2008-01-11T19:50:00.001-08:00

Now, I consider my life to be balanced but it wasn’t always like that. I worked too much - a self-proclaimed ‘workaholic’.

In any given month, 58% of Canadians report “overload” associated with their life. This month in particular, is a chaotic month for most. In an already busy life where you balance many roles (including parent, child, co-worker, volunteer), you add parties, planning and shopping for gifts, and year-end duties at work. For some, there is an increased sense of loneliness if you haven’t achieved what you hoped for in this year. Depression is most prevalent during this month. Most people know when they are ‘out of balance’ and that equilibrium is different for everyone. It takes much thought and work to readjust your schedule and your life. Now, I work much less, and have more time for coffee with friends, working out and even the occasional unexpected invitation. When you balance your life with work and lots of fun, the payoff is increased contentment, joy and more energy to do all the things you currently lament about not being able to do.

I subscribe to many newsletters on health and wellness. In one of those emails, I recently did the questionnaire** on life balance. Take the test yourself and see how you do. For each question, mark down whether you agree or disagree.

1. I feel like I have little or no control over my work life
2. I regularly enjoy hobbies or interests outside of work
3. I often feel guilty because I can't make time for everything I want to
4. I frequently feel anxious or upset because of what is happening at work
5. I usually have enough time to spend with my loved ones
6. When I'm at home, I feel relaxed and comfortable
7. I have time to do something just for me every week
8. On most days, I feel overwhelmed and over-committed
9. I rarely lose my temper at work
10. I never use all my allotted vacation days
11. I often feel exhausted - even early in the week
12. Usually, I work through my lunch break
13. I rarely miss out on important family events because of work
14. I frequently think about work when I'm not working
15. My family is frequently upset with me about how much time I spend working

When you’ve finished, count the number of “agree” answers.

What your score means:

0 – 5: Your life is out of balance - you need to make significant changes to find your equilibrium. But you can take control!

6 -10: You’re keeping things under control – but only barely. Now is the time to take action before you’re knocked off balance

11 – 15: You’re on the right track! You’ve been able to achieve work/life balance – now, make sure you protect it.

Top 3 Tips for Staying in Balance

* Turn off your cell phone and leave your laptop at work or at least turn it off by 7 pm.
* Schedule brief breaks for yourself throughout the day
* Schedule a time for yourself once a week where you cannot do any work such as household chores. It must be something fun.

** Reprinted in accordance with the Canadian Mental Health Association

Detoxifying

2008-01-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

This summer I went to the beach and a dip in the beautiful sea salt of the Adriatic Sea. I was just thinking about that part of my trip that when I remembered how well I’d slept that week. It’s because I was, without actually thinking about it, detoxing my body.

It is important to detox? In a word, Yes. Our bodies detoxify naturally with about 10% of that process occurring through the skin in conjunction with organs such as the liver, and kidneys. If one of those organs is stressed, you’ll get even less. We live in an environment with many chemicals in our homes, and in the air we breathe, we eat processed foods, and use microwave ovens, not to mention daily use of cell phones, TV's, radio’s and computers and increased levels of stress... This increased toxic load on our bodies means we absorb more than we can naturally get rid of, which may lead to increased rates of cancer or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

On vacation I was eating well, drinking lots of water, the sauna-like heat was 40+ degrees daily, the ocean water was bath like, the cold showers couldn’t be cold enough. These are all really good ways to detoxify naturally – but we can’t be on vacation all the time!

Here are six ways to detoxify at home:
Drink warm or hot water with lemon first thing in the morning, before anything else. This will wake up your body and the lemon gently flushes toxins out of your body. As an added bonus this helps keep your blood at an alkaline PH; an acidic body is more likely to get sick.
Foot Pads - these pads have an adhesive backing that you stick to your feet. They encourage self-healing by promoting improved circulation of the blood and lymphatic system and absorb the excess toxins the body throws off. You can also stick these pads on any area of the body where you have pain or a rash, e.g. on the back, at the lungs for a cough, on the legs for itchiness.
Hydrotherapy - Contrasting showers promotes detoxification and strengthens the immune system by increasing the white blood cells. Start with 3-5 minutes of hot water followed by less than a minute of cold water. Repeat at least once, finishing with cold.
Salt Baths - soak in a tub to which you’ve added sea salt. Add one cup of sea salt to your bath and grab a book to read. Salts contain minerals and trace elements that are beneficial to our health
Skin Brushing - stimulates the lymphatic system and white blood cells migrate to the skin, as well as increasing blood circulation. Use gloves or natural bristle brushes, start with the feet and work your way up the body, always brushing towards the heart.
Exercise with yoga, jumping rope or qigong.

Here are three more ways to help your body detoxify outside the home.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage – the lymphatic system is responsible for cleansing soft tissue just under the skin. It’s a network of vessels that carry toxins to your lymph nodes which then break down and purify waste. Some signs that it is overworked are cellulite, puffiness and, mostly, dark circles under the eyes. This type of massage stimulates the lymphatic system to allow it to more effectively do its job.
Foot Baths - An ionizer sits in a footbath with your feet; acting as a conductor it pulls neutralized particles (toxins, heavy metals, etc) out of your body.
Infrared Sauna - Also called Heat Stress Detoxification - there are many powerful reasons to have an infrared sauna. When you sweat, your body eliminates toxins; this is a profound method of eliminating environmental chemicals that are stored in fat cells. Start out for only 15 minutes at 150 degrees. Regular use contributes to as much as a 75% reduction of harmful toxins.

Massage – is it just a birthday treat?

2007-09-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

So many people have put massage into two categories in the file cabinets of their mind. One category is a short-term fix for a suddenly sore shoulder or a pain in the neck from a long forgotten rear-ender that just won’t seem to go away. The other is the ‘its-my-birthday-and-I’m-going-to-treat-myself’ category.

Here’s another category to add. Preventative medicine. Just like eating right helps your inner systems function efficiently and exercise assists your muscles develop effectively and drinking water makes everything run smoothly, massage helps too.

Massage assists with all the ways that you treat your body right. After exercising, massage soothes muscles that have worked so hard and improves your range of motion. Massage alleviates the digestive systems that so many feel isn’t working just right even though you’re eating right.

Massage does feel great to celebrate your birthday, but as a regular practice, it reduces every day stress, relieves tension headaches and improves circulation. So, eat right every day, (or least 80% of the time), exercise daily (well, maybe 5 or 6 days a week) and get a massage weekly (okay, every 3 or 4 weeks). Give yourself that once a year massage, but have one every other month of the year too.

A little about essential oils

2007-09-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

Contrary to popular belief, it is not merely the aroma of essential oils imparts their effects.

Certainly, the aroma has a lot to do with the psychological and spiritual effects the oils have, but getting the oils on your body, you will experience another good way to benefit from the oil. One of the best places to put therapeutic grade oils is on the bottom of your feet. You can put the oil neat (undiluted) on the bottom of your feet.

Lavender oil is very soothing to the mind and calming to the nervous system. Japanese researchers studied lavender and found that the aroma of lavender is "associated with reduced mental stress."

Diffuse or put a couple drops in your hand and then inhale. Apply direct application. Another way to enjoy calming lavender oil is to place a few drops on a cotton ball and tuck it under your pillow for a peaceful night's rest.

Citrus oils are very good to use in the winter. All the citrus oils are uplifting and mood elevating. Generally, the citrus oils are cold pressed from the rind of the fruit. Orange essential oil has been used in dental offices to promote calmness. Orange oil is a wonderful "happy oil."

Citrus oils are nice to diffuse or an uplifting mood. When diffusing oils, use a COLD diffusing method. Never heat your therapeutic grade oils. Heating destroys the therapeutic qualities. If you don't have a cold diffuser, you can put some oil on a cotton ball or tissue. You can even mix oil in a spray bottle with water and spritz in the air.

My absolute favorite for lifting the mood is the oil blend Christmas Spirit. Christmas Spirit has orange & cinnamon. It smells absolutely wonderful & can lift your mood almost instantly.

Another oil that seems to banish the blues for many people is Bergamot. This essential oil is gentler, with a touch of floral in its scent. Several studies addressed bergamot as an oil that cheers feelings of sadness.

Ylang ylang got top honors in a 2006 topical-use study in relieving the down in-the-dumps feeling and calming upsetting stress. There are essential oil blends that contain many of these inspirational and mood-enhancing oils.

Other oils that have calming and sedative properties are rose, valerian, patchouli, and the "blue" essential oils (blue tansy and German chamomile)

Benefits of Massage

2007-09-03T17:57:00.000-07:00

Why would you get a massage on a regular basis?

Massage therapy greatly assists the body to heal itself and to increase health and well-being. It is a holistic therapy that reduces the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.

* Promotes relaxation, reduces stress and anxiety
* Helps relieve tension headaches
* Improves circulation and lowers blood pressure
* Enhances immune system and balances autonomic nervous system
* Relieves muscle aches and stiffness, improves muscle tone
* Improves muscle and joint flexibility
* Eliminates toxins, promotes healthy skin, improves digestion and elimination
* Promotes deeper and easier breathing
* Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy
* Promotes faster injury/illness recovery

* And massage feels great!

Tanning

2007-09-03T17:28:00.001-07:00

Being in sunshine is good for the soul and good for the body. Sometimes, it’s a concern.

You won’t get cancer from being in the sun - in fact, the sun helps your body make Vitamin D, which protects you from cancer. You should, however, protect yourself from burning and we all know to stay out of the sun in peak hours. There is a lot of controversy over tanning and sunscreens.

Sunscreens are often touted as a defense against cancer but in fact may contribute to it. Some chemicals in sunscreen are carcinogenic or toxic. There are new lines of sun products are coming out – one that I like (recommended by Brenda Eastwood, RNCP) is called Miessence Skin Care Line. This is a new, non-toxic sunscreen that won’t lead to cancer. As well, there are a couple of new lines of clothing specially designed for surfers that protect you against the sun.

Fertility Help

2007-09-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

If you or a loved one is trying to conceive a child, consider the following – each can help improve the odds of beginning a healthy pregnancy.

1. Safety first. Avoid exposure to pesticides, paints, solvents, and other products with potentially harmful chemicals that can impair fertility.

2. Eat a balanced diet and supplement wisely. Vitamins C, E, B-12, Folic acid, Selenium, Zinc, and Lycopene - in the right amounts - are all beneficial to men's fertility. Women should take Folic acid before trying to conceive, and during pregnancy to lower the risk of certain birth defects.

3. Acupuncture. Women who attempt in-vitro fertilization may also want to try acupuncture. It may improve blood supply to reproductive organs and help decrease stress. Acupuncture in men may positively influence sperm quality and count.

4. Go alternative. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a good track record in helping fertility. TCM views infertility as a problem of energy flows, and uses acupuncture, herbs and other techniques as treatment.

Why is Folic Acid So Important?
One proven way to protect the health of your child and yourself if you are planning a pregnancy is by taking Folic acid. The recommended daily dose of 400 mcg can significantly reduce the risk of birth defects such as Spina Bifida. Unfortunately, many women of childbearing age don't take this simple precaution.

Getting to Sleep

2007-09-03T17:22:00.000-07:00

So often people have trouble sleeping. It is critical to your health and over all well-being to get a sound sleep - just as important, if not more so, than diet and exercise.

Did you know that 75% of adults have frequent bouts of sleeplessness? Lack of sleep can cause your normal functions to weaken due to the increased levels of cortisol in your body. There are more reasons for the inability to get to sleep or stay asleep than there is space for in this newsletter. Underlying causes include stress, anxiety, and depression. You do not have to rely on over-the-counter medications. There are a number of ways that you can help yourself sleep.

First of all, lessen the amount of mental stimulation (e.g. Television, computer work) at least one hour before you plan to go to sleep. Do not eat sugar in your dinner or after dinner snack as it causes your blood sugar to spike. Take a high quality, high dose of Magnesium supplement or alternate source of magnesium before bedtime – magnesium directs the calcium in your body to help you relax and fall asleep.

Having a massage starts your evening ‘slow down’ process. Rub an essential oil like Lavender, Marjoram, Sandalwood, or Rose on the soles of your feet before bed – within 20 minutes, it will circulate in your body and provide immeasurable calm so you can sleep.

Cellulite

2007-09-03T17:19:00.000-07:00

Cellulite. Everyone has it. Whether they’re thin or overweight, 85-90% of women have it. Even thin and physically fit celebrities like Pamela Anderson, JLo, Britney Spears and Nicole Kidman have it. While its not easy to get rid of and every company out there (308,000 hits on Google) has THE product to get rid of that cottage cheese skin, there are some ways to fight it.

Cellulite is fat that has pushed through cell walls into the middle layer of skin and so shows through to the surface but it doesn’t really matter what it is - What’s important is how do you get rid of it? The secret is to keep the blood vessels open and flowing smoothly. Drink lots of water, avoid salt and processed food (water retention contributes to cellulite problems), kick the coffee and the smokes (because these constrict your blood vessels) and get regular exfoliating massage.

In between treatments, practice drybrushing daily and bathe a couple of times a week in Cellulite Salts with Cellulite Essential Oil Blend which will pull toxins from your body.

Dr. Andrew Weil says...

2007-09-03T17:17:00.001-07:00

Dr. Andrew Weil, in his last newsletter, said:
Here’s a healthy goal with the added bonus of feeling luxurious: receive a monthly massage. Professional massage is wonderfully relaxing and has numerous health benefits.

Many forms of bodywork can help manage stress levels, reduce blood pressure and heart rate, ease muscles and stiff joints, lower the levels of stress hormones, enhance immune function and more.

Book packages of massages to save money. A healthy indulgence for 2007!

Springtime Allergies

2007-09-03T17:12:00.000-07:00

Some people in spring experience allergies. Allergies a reaction in your body to something and the immune system steps in to fight this invader. This substance might not be not poisonous but your body thinks it is. If you are one of these people with an allergy, you might sneeze or itch your watery eyes because of house dust, chemicals in cleaners, grasses, etc. Essential Oils can help.

Try Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemon. These oils all have analgesic and antiseptic qualities and help boost the immune system. Just add 10 drops to 1 ounce carrier oil to the sinus area especially in the mornings before you head out or at night before sleep. You could also add this mixture to boiling water and inhale just like your mama told you when you were a kid. You just might feel better in no time.

Fighting the Winter Blues

2007-09-03T17:04:00.000-07:00

During the winter, its the time of year when many people are affected by the dreary, rainy, weather. Essential oils can calm and uplift you. Lavender oil is very soothing to the mind and calming to the nervous system. Citrus oils are very good to use in the winter; Orange oil is a wonderful "happy oil."

Oils can be added to a diffuser or spritzed, the scent will carry throughout your entire room. You can also carry a small bottle of Peppermint oil with you and smell it through the day. One of the best places to put oils that will immediately uplift you is to rub it on the bottoms of your feet. Take note, Spring will always be here sooner than you think.