What's missing

Have you ever noticed that we pay a lot more attention to things when they're missing?  Our keys, our friends, our minds????  Why can't we manage to notice the things we love and need when they're with us?  Our health would be far better suited if we could just have gratitude for it when we have it. 

How to show our bodies we appreciate them.

1.  Don't burn them - stoves aside, avoid other burns as well.  Sunburns, windburns, chemicals, all can be dangerous. 

2.  Let them breathe - clean air as much as possible.  Be aware of what is around you, and what you can do about it.

3.  Exercise - had to be said.

4.  Ensure that your body has what it needs.  Simple tests can be done by yourself, by a doctor or by a health practitioner to find out what nutrients your body might be craving.  Did you know some weird behaviors can be tied to what we do or don't put in our bodies?  When you wake up at the same time in the middle of the night, craving ice, a tendency to lean our heads one way?  Weird, huh?

5.  Be aware of your body, of your friends, of your life.  Awareness, the consciousness of it, changes things every single moment.  It's true. 

I love you friend.  :)

Is anyone out there?

I have fun writing these, but am wondering if it's worth still putting them up on the site.  Can I get a raise of virtual hands if you actually read this?   Thanks.

Arghhh a nomics

Planting, exercising, sports, however you do it, here's things to try when you strain, sprain or just overwork yourself. 

RICE - rest, ice, compression, elevation - this was the old standby.  They have since removed compression other than immobilization.  (Need blood flow to the area to heal, but also don't want too much movement). 

Here's the questions I usually get, and my experience and learning to share.

"What about heat?  It feels better."  Yes heat feels great and is relaxing to sore muscles, however it also keeps blood flow heavy and doesn't relieve inflammation.  Alternating heat and ice can help the area to recover more quickly because the changes in blood flow help to remove waste from the area and help to keep the inflammation down.  Heat is good, but when you have an injury, ice is a part of the process.  :)

"How long should I rest it?"  It depends, unfortunate answer, I know.  How badly it's injured, how active you usually are, how quickly you heal are all variables.  That being said, if you've hurt yourself try to give yourself at least 72 hours off.  Then based on how you're feeling, what your doctor says (if you've been) and how much you're planning on doing you can decide how much longer.

Relief - apple cider vinegar and Epsom salts for swelling. 
Arnica, capsacin, camphor, horse chestnut and peppermint - topically
Blue Spruce and peppermint - aromatherapy
Internally - Advil, Tylenol if necessary, white willow, feverfew, arnica, bromelain.
Distraction - big believer in finding other things to think about than what you're NOT doing right now.  Catch up on some reading, balance your checkbook, whatever!

Oh, and get a massage, they help with the pain and the recovery.  But you already knew that...  :)

Creeping up

Things creeping up, pretty much bad.  Scales, bugs, dates, if it's creeping that can't be good.  I feel a little worried about the creeping things in my world.  I actually thought I had my stress under control, but, no.  Now I have to take control of my creepings.

Taking control.  Or letting go.  The decisions about what to take hold and what to let go seem to be growing for everyone.  It can be difficult to decide what is your job and what you need to leave alone, especially when everything around you feels SO important.  I am not great at this, being a confessed control freak, but I'm learning.  Part of my learning comes from realizing that my kids and I don't have to do or be everything.  That is helping.  Also turning things off and thinking helps.  I notice that I can think really clearly when I'm out mowing the lawn, probably because there is nothing to do but think and I don't have kids, phones, needs interrupting. 

Try to get some time this week to just let yourself feel and think.  No lists of what's not done, no pressures of wasting time, just a much needed sanity relief.  Let me know how it goes, if you're still sane that is.  :)

Legs of a Champion

Let's talk about legs, their importance and their impotence at times... 
Good stuff - easy to strengthen, easy to stretch, and burn a lot of calories when they're in shape.
Bad stuff - weak or tight muscles can lead to imbalance, back pain, and more susceptible to injury.

To help them "do their thing" we need to ensure that we work to strengthen, stretch and use these large muscles.
Do stairs, as slowly as you need to.
Walk, or run if that's your thing.
Work the outsides and insides squeezes and lifts, get it all.
Stretch em' all, quads (the ones on the front) being too tight can lead to swayback and lower back pain.
                       hams (back ones) can cause hip pain and a greater chance for displacement.
                       glutes and other bottom ones can lead to sciatica, hip pain and radiating pain to the groin.

Do our thing, so they can do their thing for us!

So long?

Nah, I'm not leaving, but you might have thought it from my absence.  See previous posts about kids and then I'll just say I'm sorry.  I'm back! Whew!

Warmer days!  Anyone wonder about the truth to things in the summer?  Like does your hair really grow faster? (Yep)  Or can lemon juice lighten your hair?  (Yep, but it can also dry it out.)  What about natural bug repellents - here's a few - marigolds in your garden, citronella (duh), garlic, peppermint (also kills fungus), clove, thyme, sage, most peppers.  I wouldn't bathe in garlic (although it might be effective, but peppermint is nice. 

Ok, what about people health, do you really weigh less in the summer?  Generally this is true, but it's not because of the weather, during the summer months most people eat more fresh fruits and veggies and they're outside more.  Being outside and active fights that horrible cortisol even a few minutes at a time. 

Other comments or questions?  Let me know!

Forgot *blush*

I forgot my cool poem to share:

The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand,
The sun goes down but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops, and yet it echoes on it sweet refrains...
For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains. -- M. D. Hughes

Add something warm to your day today, cinnamon, ginger, sandalwood.  Beautiful and bright.