11.30.09

Are you or any one you know recovering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?  If you are it is very critical that you perform the after care that is needed in order to re-obtain the strength and stamina that you once had in your hands and arm.  As you my possibly know Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS does not just affect the Carpal Tunnal it's self, it can affect any one  tendons, or nerves going to and from your fingers.  Here is a really great explanation of what CTS is.

There are lots of great videos out on YouTube that give AT HOME stretches and massage techniques to help you re-obtain your past movements and strength.  I found some great ones for you, Here and  Here.  As always consult your physision, chiropractor, or massage theripist if you have any questions on any of these stretches or techniques.

~ko

11.30.09

I was watching a video on Youtube here,  Talking about forces and attention and intentions.  I thought that it was really a powerful message when talking about wellness.  The theory of the video is that your attention on a specific situation can actually cause that situation to become greater.  For example if you are trying to loose weight and you are constantly thinking about not eating, your brain can not differenciate "not eating" and "eating."  By constantly thinking about not eating you are essentially thinking about eating all the time.  If you are constantly thinking about finding a job, you are constantly in a depression about not having money and not working that you may in fact not be looking for a job.  by focusing your attention on positive things it will make them more abundant in your life.  The other theory of the video is that our intentions can get us to do many things that you though were out of reach.  Intentions can be sometimes more powerful than many other things in our lives. Think about when a child first starts to walk.  What is making them walk?  they may see their parent or a toy that they really want and they will go beyond their own means (crawling) and stand up and get it.

What are your intentions?
~ko

11.29.09

Got an urge for chocolate and sweets but trying to cut back on the calories?  I found this great recipee for INDOOR S'MORES, on EatingWell.com that have only 98 calories per serving.  Yum!

Makes 4 Servings
Takes 5 minutes
Ingredients

• 2 whole graham crackers, broken in half
• 4 marshmallows
• 2 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate chips, melted (see Tip)
  

Preparation

1. Position oven rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat broiler.
2. Place graham cracker halves on a baking sheet; top each with 1 marshmallow. Broil, with the oven door ajar and watching carefully, until the marshmallows are golden brown, 45 to 75 seconds. Remove from the oven and drizzle each S’more with a little melted chocolate.
   

• Tip: To melt chocolate: Microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium in 20-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval. Or place in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until melted. 

Nutrition

Per serving: 98 calories; 3 g fat (1 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 0 g fiber; 70 mg sodium; 33 mg potassium.
1 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1 carbohydrate (other)

~ko

11.29.09

I was reading an article and found these super quick and EASY ways to squash stress in our lives!

1. Enjoy a Cup of Tea

Drinking tea has always been a traditional remedy for relaxation and stress relief, and now, researchers in England have found that tea drinkers tend to have lower levels of cortisol, which is commonly known as the "stress hormone." Cortisol seeps out of our adrenal glands, and in large quatitites in response to fear and anxiety.  Cortisol can lead to health problems ranging all the way from a weakened immunity to excess belly fat. CHEERIO!

2. Get a Breath of Fresh Air

Stop fighting the wars against whatever stressors you’re facing and connect with nature. Try going for a hike or visiting a park or garden. When ever you get that over whelming feeling of stress, just leave.  Take a 5-10 minute walk outside and take deep breaths.  The fresh air will not only clear your head but it will also calm you down.

3. Read a Good Book

Enjoy yourself -and a new character- and then you'll find that your seemingly impossible problems might just have some solutions you never imagined.  One great book I highly recommend : Eat Pray Love By Elizabeth Gilbert.

4. Laugh
I am so serious about this. And I mean laugh hard. With today's amazing technology, laughter is just a few clicks away. Go to YouTube.com, punch in the name of your favorite comedian, and enjoy the physiological and psychological benefits of a good belly laugh or two.  Here is a very cute one. 

5. Watch a Funny Movie
This kind of ties into laugh, however, when you're feeling good about yourself, it's important to do things that make you happy. When you're feeling down, it's essential! Sometimes it is good to laugh at a fictional characters woes and it might make you feel a little better about your self.

~ko

11.28.09

There is no denying that it is the holidays.  With Thanksgiving just past and the "giant month of stuffing ourselves" begins, why not make a resolution a little early (or late) and stick to making a few changes in your normal recipees that are still super yummy and will help you stay on your plan to changing your lifestyle.

Sick of the cranberries laced with enough sugar to put you into a coma for the rest of the evening? 

Traditional Cranberry Sauce (No Sugar Added!)
Recipe from The World's Healthiest Foods

Ingredients:
1 12oz bag of fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 tsp minced fresh ginger
1 tsp minced orange zest
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup crushed pineapple
1/2 cup honey
Directions:
Bring orange juice, ginger, zest and cinnamon to a boil on high heat in a medium saucepan.
Rinse cranberries and add once liquid is boiling. Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes.
Add crushed pineapple and honey. Remove from heat and cool.

Hope you enjoy it!
~ko

11.28.09

Thanksgiving-to-new years can be a minefield for people trying to stick to a fitness plan.  It is very stressful on our body systems when we have wide swings in our body weight.  We all think that "This time, I'm not going to gain it back!" Unfortunately statistics show that most of us will.  This is why *diets don't work*.  What does work is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE.  But only if you have realistic expectations, good support and choose a plan you can stick with that gives you moderate change over a long time.  Lifestyle change constitutes a plan for food intake, an increase physical activity, managing your stress without food and get treatment for depression or other illnesses that get in the way.  This is another goal of my blog is to give everyone a little help on making that lifestyle change, with tips, tricks, ideas and things that really work.  I think equally important to making that lifestyle change is to give yourself a break if you do over indulge at some point so you stay on track and don't feel like a failure.  Create a balance by implementing "pass days".  And believe me, I use "pass days" for more than food, sometimes exercise or whatnot.  The key is keeping your "pass days" to a minimum and don't get so angry that you messed up that you don't get back on that horse.  Remember that you are breaking habits and starting new ones, there is no reason that you might mess up now and again.
~ko

11.27.09

Hi.  I'm Kelly O.  I work at Juut Salon Spa in Edina.  I love my job!  My favorite part is to help people actively participate in their wellness.  My goal in creating this blog is to track my continued education in the wellness lifestyle.  Reading this will hopefully educate, motivate and inspire clients friends and family.
~ko