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HEALTHY FOOD OF THE MONTH |
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We're going to take a break from our regular feature this month to look at the issue of pesticides and fresh fruits and vegetables. A recent ABC news article reports that one-third of fresh fruits and vegetables had measurable amounts of pesticide residue.
The top twelve in order of pesticide residue amounts were peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, grapes, carrots and pears. Imported produce may have higher amounts due to different pesticide regulations. The list has compiled from government statistics by the Environmental Working Group according to spokesperson Jane Houlihan.
On the other side, according to the American Council on Science and Health the level of pesticide residue on food is too low to be of any concern.
Play it safe (use common sense) and follow this recommendation from the news report. Scrub firm fruits and vegetables with a vegetable brush. Rinse others under running water as opposed to just soaking. Also washing with a solution of water and vinegar appears to better remove pesticide residues. |
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Harness Your Energy with Breath Control |
by Conrad Raw
You probably already know that the brain has two hemispheres, the right and left, and that the left side of the brain generally controls the right side of the body and vice versa.
The left part of the brain is in control when logic is needed. It controls verbal tasks, paying attention to details and linear thinking. The right hemisphere, on the other hand, is more creative. It covers visualization and intuition.
Wouldn't it be great if you could call on the creative or the logical qualities of your mind or the other when you needed it?
The truth is you can, just by using a little breath control. Paying attention to how you breathe and taking the time to breathe correctly can make a big difference in your energy levels.
You're probably thinking you didn't know there was a wrong way to breathe, and there really isn't, there are just more efficient and less efficient ways depending on what you want to do.
Let's say for example that you're studying for a test. Maybe it's a math test. You need all the logical brain you can handle so that you can focus on remembering and understanding the material at hand.
Take a quick break from your studying, use the tip of one finger to gently close your left nostril by pressing it against the fleshy part of the nose. Then just breathe in and out through the right nostril for a couple of minutes.
Likewise, if you need energy to harness your creative powers, gently hold the right nostril closed and breathe only through the left nostril. This process works because it activates different energy pathways in the body, activating different properties of your mind. It's a very powerful process.
This is a really simple way to change your energy patterns through breath control and to give yourself a little boost and an extra dose of focus. It has been scientifically shown that we naturally breathe out of one nostril at a time, and we unconsciously change which nostril we are using about every 90 minutes, and the levels of activity in the parts of the brain actually change correspondingly to the change in the breath.
This makes a lot of sense because it keeps a good supply of oxygen going to both parts of the brain, but when you need a boost you can easily selectively breathe through one nostril or the other to bring more energy and focus into the work that you are doing.
This is one simple way to use breath control to improve your life. It just takes a few seconds; I hope you'll try it!
________________ Article Source: http://www.articlecube.com
Conrad Raw is an expert in practical techniques for personal and spiritual development. He is the author of "Forbidden Secrets of Personal and Energetic Development." He travels the world to learn and teach and is the founder of Greater Human Potential (http://www.greaterhumanpotential.com), a website devoted to bringing you easy to learn techniques to increase your human evolution. |
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Complementary Care Makes A Move into U.S. Health Care Reform |
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A national group working toward inclusion of complementary health care in the U.S. health system announced August 3, an amendment to a U.S. Senate health-care bill that adds "licensed complementary and alternative medicine providers, and integrated health care practitioners" to the definition of the U.S. health care work force.
"This is a huge move. This is our seat at the table," said Integrated Healthcare Policy Consortium (IHPC) Executive Director Janet Kahn, Ph.D., in a public announcement. "We are currently in an historic period of health care reform, and IHPC has been working with key Senators and their staff for the past 18 months."
The amendment to the Affordable Health Choices Act was brought forward by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee, one of two Senate panels charged with drafting national health-care legislation.
"The day this amendment passed I got an email from one of Senator Sanders' aides saying, 'There was unanimous support ... So I think your message has gotten to all the members of the HELP committee, Democrats, Republicans and Independent," Kahn added.
"Integrated health care has always been a non-partisan issue. This huge success for integrated health care and for the health of all Americans will become the platform from which we build," she said.
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Article Source: Massage Magazine |
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BENEFITS OF MASSAGE |
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Did you know... |
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Massage improves range of motionand decreases pain.
Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles.
Reduces swelling and scar tissue.
Reduces recovery time from injury or surgery.
Reduces stress, the cause of nearly 90 percent of the diseases we face.
Releases endorphins, the body's natural painkiller, thereby reducing the need for medications.
Stimulates lymph flow and supports the body's natural process of detoxification.
And you just thought it felt good!
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 A Healing Touch Massage
A Healing Touch Massage
More than just a name... it's a promise!
Dan O'Clair & Roxie Reimer
480-215-9471 or 602-568-1531
PO Box 3070
Apache Junction, AZ 85219
Providing in-home therapeutic massage to the metropolitan Phoenix area since 2003.
Call for an appointment today! |
Roxie just reminded me that one year ago tomorrow we got the keys to our new home. What a whirlwind this past year has been! As most of you know, home ownership has a myriad of activities that come with it. I had planned on starting the newsletter yesterday after finishing a few yard chores in the morning.
Well... here it is Friday afternoon. Yesterday, since it was cool I decided to see if I could uncover a small leak in our outside water. The previous owner of our property had waterlines and sprinkler lines running everywhere. And if you see green in the desert it means there's water somewhere. Twelve hours and a 6 X 4 X 2 foot hole later, along with $30.00 worth of pvc pipe and connectors I think we've got that problem fixed! The upside is we found the line that runs to irrigate our citrus trees and put it on a manual on/off valve since the electronic system hasn't worked since we moved in. At least now we can water the trees without having to remember to keep moving the hose from tree to tree!
We hope you enjoy this issue of Staying In-Touch. We try to keep it informative and enjoyable to read. Many of you have commented that you forward it to your friends and family and we appreciate that. We enjoy your comments about the newsletter and look forward to hearing from you.
As the dust settles with back to school activities, this may be a good time to schedule a massage. (You knew I was going to work that in somewhere, didn't you?) |
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by Gerald Fitz
We all want to live healthy lives, but sometimes it is hard to know where to start. This article will discuss seven basic ways to improve your health. These are a few things we can start to get back on a healthy track of life.
1. Wash your hands frequently. It is such a simple thing but has huge effects. This is one easy way to prevent against the flu, colds, and other sicknesses. You should think about washing your hands before every meal and after being in public areas. 2. Meditate. Meditation can be a great tool in your life to calm and relax your mind and body. It is easy for our minds to get sensory overload in today's busy world with all the daily entertainment and information we receive. Meditation allows you to clear your head and center yourself. A healthy mind makes for a healthy body. 3. Take a multivitamin. It is nearly impossible to get all the vitamins and minerals you need from diet alone. We often have deficiencies of major nutrients that we do not know about until several years later when it begins to take its toll on our bodies. So along with smart eating, add in a multivitamin to your diet. 4. Start to cut addictive substances out of your life. Things like tobacco, alcohol, and even caffeine. These things are not good for your body and can cause needless addictions that control your life. Don't get overwhelmed about quitting all of your addictions at once, just start to wean your body away from those things and be conscious about how much you intake. 5. Eat breakfast! So many people skip out on breakfast because of time or because they simply don't feel like eating. However, this really is the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism and gets you ready for the day. By not eating breakfast you are ensuring that you will be slower in the morning both mentally and physically because your body is not fueled and it doesn't know that it is supposed to be fully operational yet. 6. Pick one area of exercise that you can add to your life. Choose something you enjoy doing or would like to learn to do that is active. This can really be anything. If you like dancing then make time to go out once a week to dance or let loose and dance while you clean house. Sports are also a good idea-make a plan with friends to play together or meet neighbors and see who is interested. 7. Have a positive attitude. Strangely enough attitude can have a profound effect on your health. Having a happy, optimistic outlook on life can make you less susceptible to illness and leads to a longer life. Laughing is amazing medicine for the body. So go that extra mile to change your attitude. Some people have a natural chemical imbalance that causes depression, but there are herbal supplements that can help fight against it. ______________________
Article Source: http://ExpertArticles.com |
Massage - A Non-Invasive Way to Ease Knee Pain |
by Brandon J. Thomas
The knee is a complex arrangement of muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and bones that becomes more vulnerable to injury as we age. Chronic knee pain can be caused by a number of factors and can have a negative effect on one's quality of life. Massage therapy has demonstrated its effectiveness in treating knee pain, as well as aiding the muscles of the lower body to keep the knee in proper alignment.
Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among the U.S. population, accounting for more than 11 million visits to physicians each year. The knee is the largest joint in the body, and its structural complexity makes it one of the most vulnerable areas for injury. Injuries from twisting, straining or trauma are common, and as we age, the cushioning areas of cartilage decrease while ligaments lose much of their elasticity. The knee joint is also frequently affected by osteoarthritis. Several studies have shown massage therapy to be effective in treating knee pain associated with osteoarthritis, and there is data to suggest that massage can relieve knee pain caused by other factors.
Weight plays a significant role in the onset of knee pain. The knee is a weight-bearing joint, and it is estimated that for every 10 pounds of excess weight we carry, the knee experiences an added 60 pounds of pressure. Therefore, being 20 or more pounds overweight is comparable to having an extra person for the knees to support. Hamstrings and quadriceps that are too tight can put undue stress on the knee, leading to stress and strain injuries. Poor posture and leg length discrepancy can increase stress on the back and side of the knee, leading to misalignment, pain and swelling.
Massage that is performed regularly on the hips, back and legs can help to correct knee misalignment by lengthening associated muscles and improving posture. Massage supports lymph drainage, which carries toxins from the area and reduces the swelling associated with fluid build up. If the knee has been injured, massaging the quadriceps and hamstrings will reduce the amount of pressure placed on the knee, which will aid in the recovery process.
Studies conducted on the efficacy of massage for osteoarthritis of the knee have concluded that it can help to increase range of motion and reduce pain. The data suggest that massage improved circulation around the knee joint and alleviated pain and tenderness. Regular massage (twice weekly, one hour sessions) also increased patients' muscle tone and range of motion, which are both key factors in pain reduction.
Conventional treatments for knee pain, especially for the pain associated with osteoarthritis consists of drug therapy, corticosteroid injections, modified exercises as well as surgery. With the exception of exercise, these treatments carry significant side effects that can be undesirable.
Using massage therapy as a complement to conventional treatment can reduce the need for prescription pain-killers and corticosteroid injections and in some cases, eliminate the need for invasive surgery.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
Brandon Thomas is a nationally certified massage therapist and founder of JoyLife Therapeutics. |
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7 Reasons to Receive a Great Massage at Home! |
1 You don't need to do anything to get ready for your
massage.
With in-home massage there's no need to worry about what to wear to the spa. It's OK to meet us at your door in your favorite, comfortable bathrobe. Ladies, you don't need to "do your hair" or "put on your make-up." Guys, you don't need to shave. This is your opportunity to "let your hair down," relax and enjoy!
2 You receive your massage in familiar, comfortable
surroundings.
"There's no place like home sweet home." It's easier to relax when you are in familiar surroundings. Whether it's your master bedroom, your den, living room or great room, it's yours. You are in your castle where you are the King or Queen and the world is locked away-out there beyond the fortress gates and the moat!
3 You don't pay a premium for "Spa Ambiance."
There is a time when it might be nice to be a little decadent and enjoy a day at a Resort Spa, but when you stop to think about it, most of your massage you have your eyes closed or your face down in the face cradle, so why pay the premium for "ambiance" that you really don't get to enjoy? Dim the lights, light a candle or a stick of incense, and enjoy your massage at home. We provide a great comfortable massage table, quality linens, custom-blended aromatherapy massage oils and a wide assortment of relaxation music. Of course if you have favorite music you like to relax to we'll be happy to enjoy it with you. With the money you save staying at home, you can have another massage that much sooner!
4 You get the same therapist for each massage.
Often times going out for a massage means you get a different massage therapist for each massage. The advantage of having the same therapist work on you each time is that the therapist "learns your body," becomes familiar with your "problem areas," and learns what works for you and what doesn't. The end result for you is massage that is more effective in helping you to manage your stress and pain.
5 Rather than receiving a "Spa massage" you receive a
massage that is customized to your specific wants and
needs (stress and/or pain management).
If you are experiencing pain in any part of your body it's very probable that specific muscle work will help to alleviate that pain. Most spa massages are geared toward general relaxation, not specific pain relief. If you want a massage that only focuses on your back or your neck, your left shoulder or your right knee, we will gladly oblige you. With our in-home massage you can have either one, or both, even in the same session!
6 There's no rush to get the room ready for the next guest.
Mom's rule applies, "My house, my rules!" We're not going to hurry you off the table and rush you out of the room so we can get it ready for the next client. We always allow plenty of time between our appointments so we will never make you feel rushed. Take your time to enjoy the deep sense of relaxation, the greater ease of movement, the goodness of being less stressed.
7 You don't have to drive after your massage.
With Phoenix traffic rated as some of the worst in the nation, why would anyone want to spend an hour or so unwinding, de-stressing and relaxing only to get up from the massage table and have to go face the Loop 101 (or the I-17, the I-10, the US-60, the Loop 202 or even our sometimes hectic surface streets)? You're already at home, stress-free and feeling great, and no careless driver or stop-and-go-traffic is going to take that away from you!
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Copyright © 2009 A Healing Touch Massage | |
The weekend is upon us. Tonight Roxie and a friend are off to a concert with tickets shared by someone who was unable to go but didn't want the tickets to go to waste. Tomorrow Roxie and I are providing massage for a group having an in-home Spa Day. Sunday there's still a couple spots left for massage (any takers should phone right away, email doesn't always get checked due to work away from the desk).
Until next month or your next massage!
A Healing Touch Massage |
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