How Massage and Bodywork treatments can benefit you.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH FIRST!
Scheduling a massage can do you a world of good; getting massage frequently can do even more. The beauty of bodywork by taking part in regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you’ll be and how youthful you’ll remain with each passing year. Budgeting time and money for bodywork at consistent intervals is truly an investment in your health. And remember: just because massage feels like a pampering treat doesn’t mean it is any less than therapeutic. Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan, and work with your practitioner to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.  

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion
•  Enhance immune system by stimulating lymph flow; body’s natural defense system
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts
• Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin
• Increase joint flexibility and lessen depression and anxiety
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks
• Reduce spasms and cramping, relaxing injured, tired, or overused muscles

Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related; perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits. Studies show that with massage:

• Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain
• Burn injury patients report reduced pain, itching, and anxiety
• High blood pressure patients lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, stress hormones
• Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping
• Preterm infants have improved weight gain

Research continues to illustrate the enormous benefits of touch—which range from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries, to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles. Consequently, the medical community is actively embracing bodywork, and massage is becoming an integral part of hospice care and neonatal intensive care units. Many hospitals are also incorporating on-site massage practitioners and even spas to treat post surgery or pain patients as part of the recovery process.

Sweet Paradise Chocolate from Maui

Easter Sunday candy we had was delicious.

Maui Onion Coconut Citrus Balsmic Dressing

Aloha.... just made an awesome dressing for my salads and Hawaiian Kale salad...
1 cup citrus - I used a grapefruit == local
1.5 cup coconut shredded == local
1 Maui onion == local
1 cup unsweetened Coconut milk
1 cup filtered water
1/2 cup virgin olive oil
1/8 cup sesame oil
2 T prepared horseradish
1/3 cup horseradish mustard
1/4 cup of organic tamari
1/3 cup organic apple cider vinegar
1/3cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon of stevia or other sweetener: coconut
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt == local

used my Blentec to blend all.... and then taste test to see if you need to add more of any ingredients.......  I love the texture with the coconut and the sweet and sour taste is good
this made about a quart of dressing.....  Mahalo

Gluten Free

This is an interesting and helpful article by Dr.Weil....  Personally, I don't feel I suffer from Celiac's disease, however, I think we can all benefit from practicing a fair amount of gluten free foods and days in our diets.. give it a try and have a Happy, Healthy Day!
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP04373/Eating-Too-Much-Gluten.html

What is the best, most convenient canned Salmon?

The one I've found is the Kirkland brand from Costco.... to me it tastes like butter: here is what one of my favorite Educators and Medical Doctors has explained are the awesome benefits. From Dr. Andrew Weil's Heart Health Newsletter: 

2 Reasons to Eat Salmon

Salmon - particularly wild-caught Alaskan salmon and canned sockeye salmon - is one of my favorite foods. Salmon is readily available fresh, frozen and canned, making it a versatile choice, and it can be easily prepared to satisfy a wide variety of individual tastes. But the most compelling reason to eat salmon regularly is its nutritional benefits, including:

1. Omega-3 fatty acids, the anti-inflammatory, essential fats our bodies need for optimum health. Omega-3s from eating salmon and other oily fish offer protection against heart attack, stroke, cancer, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and mental and emotional problems.
2. High-quality protein. A bonus is that salmon has far less saturated fat than is found in meat and poultry.

Aim for 2-6 servings of wild-caught salmon per week, and use healthful cooking methods such as baking, broiling, poaching, or steaming.

The Benefits of using Kale in Salads

Personally I use two to three different Kale; dino or lacinato, curly green and curly red... I found one of my favorite Doctors and Educators gives us more reasons to use and then you can watch him make his favorite Kale salad..  next time I will post my video of my favorite Kale salad.......  and the dressing I like to use with it...Benefits of Kale in Salad

Amazing rediscovery of the Health Benefits of Castor Oil

For those who remember good ole "Castor Oil", this is a nice reminder to get back to basics and for those of you who are new to Castor Oil, you will appreciate the healing benefits it provides. The article is lengthy, however, after reading the properties of Castor oil, I have begun to incorporate the benefits of it's healing properties.  These are the three things I like about Castor (Bean) Oil:

1. The use of Castor Pack for a congested lymphatic system
2. When I do massage, I incorporate the Castor Oil in my massage oil blends
3. Since we are in the sun most of the day, here in Maui, I use it for protection and prevention of sun damage.

Click here to see the amazing properties of this age old remedy: Castor Oil