December 18, 2011
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Giveaways, Health & Well-Being, Massage, Massage Lotion & OIl, Men, Reflexology, Research Studies, Touch Therapy & Sex, Uncategorized, Women
Inhaling the Holidays
The holidays are my favorite time of year. I love everything about them – the lights, decorations, parties, and most especially, the delicious smells of Christmas. The aromas of evergreen, peppermint, cinnamon, and spiced cider all remind me of Christmas as a kid when the everything was magical and wishes came true, i love to make nee things and crafts for our family, now Im on my way to buy a new staple gun which actually I saw the best electric staple guns at a website where I think is much easier so I dont have to leave my house.
It’s said that the sense of scent is the most powerful when it comes to memory. Why? Unlike the eyes, the nose doesn’t judge. It just smells. Your sense of smell can instantly transport you to another time and place, making you almost feel what you were feeling back then as the rush of emotions flood your body… 
Humans can detect between 10,000 and 30,000 different odors through our sensitive nose. The nerve endings at the end of the olfactory bulb, which is situated at the back of our nose, is stimulated by our sense of smell. This in turn stimulates the part of the brain called the limbic system, which is involved in many of our emotions and motivations, including fear, anger, and emotions related to sexual behavior. Thus, our sense of smell is one of the most important senses when it comes to triggering memories.
Here’s a quick reflexology tip that can stimulate the nose’s powerful sense of smell.
The reflex area to the nose (and the sinuses as well) is located on both feet, at the tips of each of the toes and in the fleshy part behind the nail.
1. Hold one foot in one hand and, with your other hand, gently but firmly pinch the top of the big toe between your thumb and index finger. Rub the toe back and forth between your fingers for 10-15 seconds.
2. Next, move to the next toe and stimulate the tip of the toe for 10-15 seconds. Do this for every toe.
3. You can then move to another area of the foot, or repeat this technique on the other foot.
November 2, 2011
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Giveaways, Health & Well-Being, Massage, Massage Lotion & OIl, Men, Pregnancy, Reflexology, Research Studies, Stress-Relief, Touch Therapy & Sex, Uncategorized, Women
Foot Rub Night!
IT’S FOOT RUB NIGHT! 
Today my sister told me that she was excited about the evening to come because…it’s “Foot Rub Night” in her house! Apparently, every Wednesday night, after the kids are in bed, she and her husband open a bottle of wine, turn the lights down, put some music on, and give each other foot massages on the couch. They use whatever oil or lotion they have, and they let their fingers do their magic. 20-30 minutes later, the mood in the house is 100% more peaceful and certainly more intimate.
Now, I have to admit, I was a little surprised to hear of this weekly ritual because I know how easy it is to flip on the TV and tune out after a long day. However, my sister has inspired me (the massage expert) and now I’m ready to incorporate a “Foot Rub Night” into our busy schedule. I’m putting it on the calendar so we can’t forget or blow it off. It’s a perfect way to de-stress, and I can’t believe we haven’t been doing this all along.
FOOT MASSAGE NIGHT: You don’t need any fancy techniques or even any lotion if you don’t have any. Sure, you can experiment with the reflexology tips that I write about, but all you really need are your hands and a comfortable place to lounge. Don’t wait! Why not put a Foot Massage Night on your calendar right now? And who knows where it will lead to?!
October 26, 2011
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Health & Well-Being, Massage, Massage Lotion & OIl, Men, Reflexology, Research Studies, Stress-Relief, Toddler Massage, Touch Therapy & Sex, Uncategorized, Women
Natural Allergy Relief
Are you suffering from allergies, asthma & sinus problems? I know more than a few people who are, myself included. According to allergy experts, with record pollen counts this fall has been one of the worst, and longest, allergy seasons yet. Due to a particularly wet summer, ragweed pollen levels have surged and standing water left over from summer flooding and Hurricane Irene has increased the amount of mold, a common year-round allergen, in the air. What’s more, the allergy season is expected to last a few weeks longer than usual this year, according to research published earlier this year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
For natural relief, try this reflexology tip: Hold a hard ball, ideally a golf ball or if you’re lucky enough to have a massage ball, in your hand. Clasp your two hands together, interlinking fingers. Roll the golf ball over your palms for 30 secs. Target the area below your thumbs-the adrenal reflex area. Focus pressure on areas where it is most sensitive.
On the hand, this “allergy relief” area is found on the palms of both hands, halfway down the long first metacarpal bone of the hand below the thumb. To find the area (first on your left hand), rest your right thumb on top of your left thumb. Slide the right hand down toward the wrist, so that your thumb presses in the fleshy area bewteen the base of your thumb and your wrist. Your hand is now positioned so that your right index finger can curl around the hand and you can use your right thumb to exert pressure at the midpoint between wrist and the base of the thumb. Press here with your thumb and make small circles for about 15-20 seconds.
Does the area feel normal or tender and sensitive? If it’s sensitive, you’re right on target to the reflex area to the adrenals. If not, reposition your thumb slightly to press and test another area. 
Another reflex area to stimulate is the tip of each finger, which is the reflex area to the sinuses. Pinch each fingertip with your other hand for about 10 seconds each.
October 13, 2011
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Baby Massage, Health & Well-Being, Massage, Massage Lotion & OIl, Men, Pregnancy, Reflexology, Research Studies, Stress-Relief, Toddler Massage, Touch Therapy & Sex, Uncategorized, Women
Soothe Your Solar Plexus & De-Stress
Stress relief from my what?! 
In this day and age, who isn’t anxious once in a while? It’s a chaotic world, and it’s often hard to let go and really relax. Unfortunately, stress is very damaging to our entire system and most doctors agree that over 75% of our health problems can be linked to stress. When we’re stressed, our body’s defense mechanism begins to break down, making us more susceptible to illness and disease. 
Anyone feeling stressed should become familiar with the SOLAR PLEXUS, the “nerve switchboard” of the body. This complex network of nerves, located behind the stomach and in front of the diaphragm, sends energy impulses to the upper part of the abdomen. Also called the “abdominal brain”, its purpose is to help balance the sympathetic nervous system, regulate the functions of the organs, and restore calm. It’s often affected by stress, anger, and depression.
Reflexology is extremely effective for calming and balancing the nervous system. It can help you let go of tension and soothe your mind. Reflexology is a drug-free coping mechanism for stress and a way to get in touch with what’s happening on the inside. For a quick route to stress relief, stimulate the reflex area to the SOLAR PLEXUS,
which is located on both feet, in the center of the foot, about half-way between the toes and the heel. This is a great starting point to relax yourself or your partner. Press the solar plexus point for 20 seconds to balance your nervous system and bring inner calm. Repeat this several times on each foot.
Stimulating the reflex to the solar plexus can relax the entire body and bring overall stress relief. It also promotes better, deeper breathing, and relieves the discomfort of allergies, asthma, and even acne. This reflex point is also the center of the third chakra, the Solar Plexus chakra, which relates to your personal power. Located an inch or two above the navel, this chakra is the focus point for our sense of power, ego, authority, self-control and discipline. It’s where the personality is formed. In addition to relieving stress, stimulate the SOLAR PLEXUS to better express your individuality and strength.
October 7, 2011
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Giveaways, Health & Well-Being, Massage, Massage Lotion & OIl, Men, Pregnancy, Reflexology, Research Studies, Stress-Relief, Toddler Massage, Touch Therapy & Sex, Weight Issues, Women
Massage Your Salad!
Have you ever had a salad that just blows you away? I just used my hands to make a “Massaged Kale Salad” and I’m in heaven. While I normally don’t post recipes on my blog, this one I have to share because it is absolutely delicious, super healthy, and hey, it has something to do with massage.
Kale is an amazingly nutritious leafy green vegetable. It contains high amounts of beta carotene and vitamin C. It’s also rich in minerals and high in folic acid. This ‘Superfood’ is a low in carbs and high in protein. One cup of cooked kale contains :
– 50 Calories
– 10 gm of Carbohydrates
– 3 gm of protein
– 2 to 3 gm of fiber
– 8000 IUs Vitamin A
– 150 to 200 mg of Calcium
– 30 mg of Magnesium
– 2 mg of Iron
– 300 mg of Potassium
– 125 mg of Vitamin C
– Less than 50 mg of Sodium
– 40 mcg of Folic acid
The high calcium and magnesium content of kale helps in building bones and is great for preventing osteoporosis. Vitamin A and C are antioxidants that protect against many degenerative diseases. The high potassium and low sodium content of Kale makes it an alkaline food and helps those who suffer from acidity and other digestive disorders. Potassium also reduces blood pressure and helps in fighting heart disease. Being a cruciferous vegetable, Kale contains sulfur compounds which help in fighting cancer.
Now, onto my new favorite salad…
Michelle’s Massaged Kale Salad
1 bunch curly kale
½ cup cooked quinoa
½ cup yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled & grated
1 avocado, cubed
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2-4 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tbs. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. sea salt
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Rinse kale and tear the leaves from the stem. Rip them into smaller pieces. Place in a big bowl with the quinoa, onion, carrot, and avocado.
In a separate small bowl, whisk the apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, garlic powder, and sea salt.
Now, here’s the fun part: With both hands firmly massage all the ingredients together. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Massage the avocado into the kale so that it smooshes and there are no more chunks. Do this for about one minute so that all the leaves are covered with the dressing. This massage, together with the lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, helps to tenderize the kale.
Finally, add the tomatoes, gently toss the salad, and put it into the refrigerator for 6-8 hours. I like to make this salad the day before I plan to eat it and let all the juices sink in. Remember, the longer it stays in the fridge, the better it gets!
Just before serving, give it a hearty round of freshly ground pepper and taste to see if it needs more salt.
You can beef up this recipe with more grated carrot, avocado and additional quinoa if you like. ENJOY!
May 31, 2011
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Health & Well-Being, Massage, Massage Lotion & OIl, Pregnancy, Reflexology, Research Studies, Stress-Relief, Touch Therapy & Sex, Uncategorized, Weight Issues, Women
#1 Best All-Natural Painkiller: MEDITATING!
While massage can be an effective way to ease your aches and pain, there’s new evidence that meditating (yes, meditating!) is the single best all-natural painkiller. In a recent study, people who had a pain-inducing heating device placed on their legs were able to reduce the pain by 40 percent, simply by meditating. “In comparison, morphine only decreases pain by about 25 percent,” says Robert Coghill, PhD, the study’s senior researcher and associate professor of neurobiology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Subjects used the “focused attention” technique: Close your eyes, breathe through your nose, and concentrate on the air coming in and going out. According to Coghill, “the more you practice, the better it works.”
There are even more benefits to meditating:
Better Focus: People trained to meditate are better able to sustain their attention that those who aren’t, according to a study in Psychology Science,
Lowers Blood Pressure: People with hypertension who meditated reduced their blood pressure. In fact, “it was as effective as adding a second blood pressure medication,” says lead author James W. Anderson, MD, from a University of Kentucky study,
Relieves Stress: Practicing meditation for eight weeks not only relieved feelings of stress but actually caused physical changes in the amygdala, the area of the brain that controls those feelings, according to a study published in Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging.