Cupcakes. Who doesn’t love cupcakes? November 10th is National Vanilla Cupcake Day and we’re here to celebrate. We’ve covered some heavier topics in previous posts, so this month we are going to lighten the mood with cake.
Share with friends. We know it’s hard to share any dessert, but cupcakes are the perfect addition to any coffee date. Catch up with a friend, drink some coffee, tea or cocoa, and savor the moments. Get creative. If you like to bake, step out of your comfort zone and attempt to create a cupcake with unique ingredients. Try a savory cupcake. Or attempt a new decorating style. Enjoy downtime. Trying to cut back on the sweets? Tune in to Cupcake Wars on Food Network and watch all the yummy goodness without the calories. Bake together. What better way to bond with a special person in your life. It may be your child, grandchild, niece or nephew, anything goes here. It goes beyond the treat and makes the quality time spent together that much sweeter. Give a gift. Cupcakes make a perfectly sweet gift. Couple that with a massage gift certificate http://www.braillebodywork.com and you’ll knock gift-giving out of the park. If you haven’t figured it out yet, this holiday celebrates the cupcake as much as the people and relationships around it. Take a time out, bring some cupcakes to an elderly neighbor, or simply slow down and enjoy life. Cupcakes and all.
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Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder characterized by jerky, uncontrollable movements and poor coordination. These symptoms result from the death of cells in the basal ganglia, a group of interconnected brain structures important for initiating and coordinating movement.
This image highlights the interaction between two structures of the developing basal ganglia in an embryonic mouse. Nerve fibers (green) from one structure called the striatum are making their way toward a structure called the globus pallidus (pink). Scientists have discovered that a protein in the brain helps to shepherd some of these nerve fibers to other parts of the basal ganglia. Without it, many of the fibers fail to make it past the globus pallidus and instead accumulate in a ball, as seen here. Studying how the basal ganglia develops could shed light on Huntington’s disease and other movement disorders. June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month and we are going to jump right in and look at some ways to stop the pain before it starts. Are you ready? Let’s go. Avoid triggers If certain foods or scents have triggered headaches in the past, it could be time to make a note of them and avoid them at all costs. Things like caffeine, cigarette smoke, and bright lights can be a big culprit in spurring on pain, but it doesn’t have to be that obvious. Perfumes, loud noises, flowers, and even lunch meat have the power to make you miserable. Workout often Exercising on a regular basis reduces tension and can help prevent headaches. Choose something you enjoy doing - walking, biking, kayaking, hiking, etc. - and follow the proper guidelines for the exercise you’re engaging in. That means stretching and warming up slowly. And don’t forget proper hydration. Bonus: It is also said that obesity can be a factor in triggering migraines, so exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight or lose excess pounds. Eat and sleep regularly Lack of sleep and skipping meals can aggravate symptoms for the migraine sufferer. Make sure you are getting enough fluids and are eating meals at regular times. Lack of sleep (or even getting too much sleep) will also aggravate symptoms, so implement routine and stick to it. Control stress Stress. Stress. Stress. It happens. Sometimes it’s hard to avoid. The only thing we can change is our response to it. Learn techniques to reduce stress levels like breathing, yoga and meditation. You can also combat stress with a massage, a long walk, a hot shower, or whatever you need to do to take the edge off. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, nearly 36 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. Acknowledging the triggers and patterns surrounding your migraine episodes will help you figure out what’s causing them and minimize your chances of experiencing headache pain. Name: Apple Cider Vinegar
Most Commonly Found: Apple cider vinegar is made from apples, so it is found wherever apples are grown. In the United States, more than 60 percent of all apples are grown in Washington, but apples are grown in more than 30 states. New Zealand is also a major importer of apples worldwide. Stone Cold Facts: Apple cider vinegar is made from cider or apple must, and it has a brownish-gold color. It is often sold as a natural product, unfiltered and unpasteurized with the mother of vinegar present. It is also often diluted with fruit juice or water, or sweetened (usually with honey) for consumption as a health beverage. What to Heal: Apple cider vinegar truly is practical magic, containing a plethora of healing benefits. Some consume cider vinegar mixed with water, which is said to help stomach problems. It helps treat diarrhea, thanks to its antibiotic properties. Experts say that apple cider vinegar contains pectin, which can help soothe intestinal spasms. It also helps with indigestion and nausea. Apple cider vinegar is also said to cure hiccups, sore throats (gargle with it), leg cramps (due to high potassium), bad breath (gargle with it), fade bruises (by dabbing it), and detoxify the body as a whole. It can whiten teeth and eliminate bacteria and stains in your mouth and gums. It also helps clear a stuffy nose since it contains potassium, which thins mucus and the acetic acid in it to help prevent bacteria growth, which could contribute to nasal congestion. It helps relieve asthma and allergies. Apple cider vinegar has been proven to lower cholesterol and helps aid weight-loss, because the acetic acid suppresses your appetite, increases your metabolism, and reduces water retention. It can also balance blood sugar in the body, according to multiple studies. Dr. Oz also recommends apple cider vinegar as a dandruff treatment, since the acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. For best results, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water in a spray bottle and spritz your hair. Let your hair sit in a towel for 15 minutes to an hour and then wash your hair. Another beauty tip is that apple cider vinegar can help cure acne and improve the skin's health overall. It makes a great natural toner, making skin look healthier. Its antibacterial properties help keep acne under control, and the malic and lactic acids found in apple cider vinegar soften and exfoliate the skin, reduce red spots, and balance the pH of your skin. In addition, it is a great cure for sunburns. It can also eliminate bacteria on the fingernails and toenails. It kills Athlete's Foot altogether. It reduces inflammation and migraines, as well as get rid of warts, bug bites, and jellyfish sting injuries. It is also said to help kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing. Feeling tired? Apple cider vinegar also boosts energy. It counteracts the buildup of lactic acid in the body, which causes fatigue. It also contains potassium and enzymes that can relieve exhaustion. - See more... As we head into the stressful fall season of early wake-ups, busy days and earlier nightfall, consider adding an oil massage to your morning or evening beauty routine.
In the morning, try giving yourself an oil massage before your shower. The heat of the shower will open the pores, helping the skin to absorb the oil. This will not only help the skin but will also help to ground the air energy in the body and mind that is making you feel anxious. Sesame oil is an excellent fall oil as it is both nourishing and warming. Mahanarayan oil is another great warming oil, and is particularly good for aching joints and pain. In the evening, try massaging your body with warmed organic oil (grapeseed, jojoba, or almond work nicely), spiced with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Sink into a hot tubful of water, close your eyes, and soak. Mentally scan your body, part by part. Imagine placing a tiny ritual offering at the doorway of each of your body parts. For example, see a golden flame in your brain. Imagine a white rose petal at each eye. Taste a drop of honey on the tongue. Smell the smoke of sandalwood at your throat. Use your imagination and intuition. Keep going until you have filled your entire body with ritual offerings. Consider yourself anointed. Arthur Whether you are a mother, have a mother, or know a mother, Mothers Day is time to honor those who've played this important role. Stepmothers, birthmothers, and godmothers too. While there are as many ways of being a mother as there are moms in the world, one thing is certain: it's a tough job, but a rewarding one. Here are just three ways massage might be of service to the mothers in your life.
Expecting Mothers Prenatal massage is a growing field, as training programs for massage therapists increase and old myths about massage during pregnancy fade. Massage can ease the aches and pains associated with increased weight, loosened ligaments, and shifts in center of gravity. There are all kinds of cushions and props that can help pregnant women relax comfortably on a massage table, no matter what their dimensions. Contrary to the old tale, massaging the feet, ankles, back, or even stomach will not cause miscarriage when done appropriately. Of course, massage therapy, while helpful, isn't a cure-all. Massage can't stop that nosy neighbor from touching your belly every time she stops by, or cravings for hot Cheetos and root beer at 2:00 AM. But it can alleviate some of the symptoms that naturally come with growing a new human being, leaving expectant mothers more free to focus on the hope and joy that make pregnancy such a fabulous stage of life. Adoptive and Foster Mothers Biological mothers typically get a nine-month period to prepare for parenthood. Foster and adoptive mothers might wait and wait for news … then find themselves parents of a tot or teen virtually overnight. Plenty of mothers juggle soccer practice with homework, but fewer have to add court dates and social worker visits to the mix. Not only can these realities place unusual stress on foster and adoptive moms, their uncommon nature means that it can also be harder to find much-needed understanding and support. Massage can help manage this stress, for all members of the family. Symptoms of stress, such as headaches, high blood pressure, and anxiety, can all be alleviated by massage. And for children who come from backgrounds where touch was lacking (or inappropriate), pediatric massage can help them develop a healthy relationship with touch. When foster and adoptive mothers learn some of these techniques for themselves, it can also be a way for children and their new parents to bond. Mothers of Young Children Unlike pregnant mothers, who often feel like their motherhood draws too much attention to themselves, society tells mothers of young children that their role is all about their children first, second, and last. Getting up in the middle of the night to change a leaking diaper? Chasing a toddler into the street? Taking time off work to care for a kindergartener with an ear infection? No matter, it's not about you, mom. It's about your kids. It's true, to a point. Who wouldn't make sacrifices for their children? But one factor that can contribute to a healthy, happy childhood is a healthy, happy mother, and every person deserves to take steps towards their own well being, mothers too! Massage therapy can help the body rest and recuperate from the effects of a busy schedule, interrupted sleep, and the physical strain of lifting and interacting with growing children. It also provides precious time for moms to focus on their own needs, apart from the responsibilities of mothering. And for those mothers who find themselves dealing with the very real condition of postpartum depression, massage may also play a role (although far from the only one) in an appropriate treatment plan. Moms who are not moms For women who don’t have children, by choice or circumstance, Mothers Day can be melancholy. There is great joy in being a Favorite Aunt, Baby Spoiler, and Super Supporter of all her friends with children, but we don’t have specific days to celebrate those roles. Women without children don’t always get all that snuggle time with little ones that raises oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. Massage is a great way to get the happy chemicals pumping. If there’s a woman in your life who loves your children, or makes your job as a parent better or easier, Mothers Day is a great time to recognize her. There's no one way to be a mother Despite what the sensationalist headlines about the Mommy Wars would have us believe, and there's no one way to take care of your health and wellness. Whether the mother you're thinking of needs a sports massage after her next marathon or a deeply relaxing hour so she can doze, it's all worthwhile. So this Mothers Day, let's do all our moms a favor and call a ceasefire, honoring them in whatever ways make sense for their own lives. Get your favorite mom(s) a massage gift certificate here. It’s easy, fast, and a gift she’ll love! And to the mothers out there reading this, on Mothers Day and every day … here's to you. National School Nurse Day, May 6th, kicks off a week long appreciation for nurses worldwide. (National Nurses Appreciation Week ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.)
School nursing, as a profession, is such a unique specialty. If you have a relatively healthy child, you might not realize a school nurse handles more than the occasional bandaid. Being aware of the special qualities a nurse brings to a school system will bring a little more perspective (and gratitude) for what they do. Here are five reasons to acknowledge and appreciate our school nurses. They provide screening.School nurses administer hearing and vision tests and often aid in early detection of hearing/vision problems and refer out as needed. They also serve as a liaison between the family, school, counselors and health care providers. School Nurses administer much needed medication and monitor blood glucose levels.And an assortment of other medical issues that need to be monitored and observed. This goes beyond paperwork, like immunization records. School nurses are also ahead of the curve when it comes to a possible communicable disease outbreak. For some kids, school nurses are the only medical professionals they will see.Not everyone is able to see a physician on a regular basis. School nurses can give children the health guidance, counseling and education they might not get anywhere else. They provide quality health care and will intervene with existing and potential health problems. Many school nurses handle multiple schools.Due to budget cuts and a variety of reasons, many school nurses must juggle multiple schools. More schools mean more kids. Think about it; In some cases, school nurses will enable a child with health conditions attend school. Such close and personal care can be difficult when spread out over multiple schools. They deal with our children’s boo-boos and illnesses.School nurses are the first responders to incidents at school - whether it’s injury or illness. Kids going to the nurse may be dealing with a physical or social/emotional cause. It’s up to the school nurse to communicate with the parents/guardians when further care is needed. Children view a school nurse as a trusted adult and someone they can turn to when they aren’t feeling well. School Nurse Day is the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Just like the teachers in your child’s life, it’s important to remember them around holidays too, like Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Show your school nurse that you value their contribution, care, and compassion. A massage gift certificate is a great way to thank a school nurse who promotes health and wellness year round. Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and other body parts.
But RA can be tough to diagnose. Symptoms can mimic other illnesses, or they may flare, then fade, only to flare again somewhere else. Lab tests aren’t perfect—you can test negative for RA factors and still have it. And X-rays don’t show signs until later on. Here are some tricky rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and hints that they’re due to RA and not some other condition. Read More... |
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