Posted on January 27th, 2012 by violetquartz | No Comments
Friday is here and the weekend is upon us! What does it have in store for you?
Psychology Today has an excellent article in this months issue as to how the pleasure we obtain from eating can actually affect the nutritional value of food. “The greater the pleasure, the more nutrients are absorbed.” That’s great news for me because I make a point of enjoying every bite that passes my lips!
“Food is one of the few things we partake of routinely that can please all of our senses at once.” That is, if we slow down enought and take more than 5 minutes to eat a meal!
It highlights how the enjoyment of food “brings with it a host of physical and mental benefits. Reasearchers find that pleasure stimulates an array of physiological processes directly affecting neuroendocrine, inflammatory, immunological, and cardiovascular systems. It lowers output of the stress homone cortisol, dampening responses to acute stressors and mini vessels, decreases blood pressure, and reduces load on the heart.” Simply put, it is “an important predictor of health and longevity.” “The greater the pleasure, the greater the absorption of key nutrients, such as iron.”
So get together with your friends and family, cook up a fabulous meal, sit back and enjoy every morsel. Keep in mind how you eat your food, not just what you are eating. It’s good for your health!
Pick up an this months issue of Psycology Today and have a read of this ‘pleasurable’ article!
Posted on January 26th, 2012 by violetquartz | No Comments
With the up coming Reiki Level 1 Attunement coming up in February, I thought I would answer some questions for you.
What exactly is Reiki?
Some of us are familiar with it and have had the opportunity to experience it. Many however have not and may not have even heard of the word. Here are some brief information…
Q. Where does Reiki energy come from?
A. Reiki energy is a subtle energy. It is different than electricity or chemical energy or other kinds of physical energy. Reiki energy comes from the Higher Power, which exists on a higher dimension than the physical world we are familiar with. When viewed clairvoyantly, Reiki energy appears to come down from above and to enter the top of the practitioners head after which if flows through the body and out the hands. It appears to flow this way because of our perspective. However, the true source of Reiki energy is within ourselves. This does not mean that we use our personal energy when we do Reiki, but that the energy is coming from a transcendental part of ourselves that is connected to an infinite supply of healing energy
Q. What does a Reiki treatment feel like?
A. What one experiences during a Reiki treatment varies somewhat from person to person. However, feelings of deep relaxation are usually felt by all. In addition, many feel a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and surrounds them. As the Reiki energy encourages one to let go of all tension, anxiety, fear or other negative feelings a state of peace and well-being is experienced. Some drift off to sleep or report floating outside their bodies or have visions and other mystical experiences. At the end of the treatment, one feels refreshed with a more positive, balanced outlook.
These are just a couple answers, but for more information and detailed questions answered, click on the link below and have a read on reiki.org.
See you at the studio!
Posted on January 25th, 2012 by violetquartz | No Comments
“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there…”
Theodore Roosevelt *
I came across this quote and I thought I would share it with you for this Wednesday’s mid-week motivator. Perhaps there is something you are pondering a start to. Perhaps something is holding you back. Whatever it may be, put your trust in the power of belief and you can accomplish anything.
“The Laws of the Universe are immutable and unwavering and can never fail. They are precise and perfect in whatever they manifest.” It really doesn’t matter whether we believe that we ‘can’ or ‘can’t', if you ever look closely at the events in your life, they were a direct result of the beliefs you held to heart. Truly understanding this concept really leaves us in charge of our present moment, our futures and even our destiny.
“Whatever the mind can conceive and BELIEVE, it can achieve.”
Napoleon Hill
Here’s a video clip for a watch and listen! Love it!
Posted on January 23rd, 2012 by violetquartz | No Comments
Happy Monday! I hope you’re all staying warm and dry!
So, who knew!? A gene could be behind chronic pain? What does that mean for us now?
For some time it has been known that there is a gene that is behind how or if we feel chronic pain. Could it be possible then to block the gene that regulates electrical signaling? HCN2 is the genes name. Not having this gene means you are able to endure pain for a longer period of time. Could it be possible to block it? This is where research is going at this point.
Science Daily outlines the work that is being done in this area. …”this opens up the possibility of targeting drugs to block the protein produced by the gene in order to combat chronic pain.”
Wouldn’t that be amazing! In the meantime, there are a few things we can do to aleviate some of our pain. Get plenty of sleep, watch your weight, build strength so that your muscles bare some of your weight instead of just your joints, and ensure you have a good support network. It is known that depression can translate to chronic pain. So let’s get out and move, build some muscle and get our friends together!
Click on the link below if you’d like to read a bit more on this topic!
Posted on January 23rd, 2012 by violetquartz | No Comments
Image from: http://www.nyu.edu
As ladies, we have historically been drawn to the high heel shoe. Whether it be for their sex apeal, their style or to simply give those that are not vertically gifted, a few extra inches. Some ladies have even gone as far as thinning down as well as having their pinky toe removed to fit in todays fashion footwear. A look at upcoming fashion trends for this year is revealing the high heel shoe is reaching new heights!
But are we hurting ourselves more than we know for the price of fashion?
We all know how we feel after having worn a heel for an extended period of time. The balls of our feet ache, our toes can get stacked one on top of the other, our backs are screaming in pain and when we take them off, our calve muscles feel about a kilometer shorter! Our bodies are telling us … “that was just too much.”
Biomechanist and foot expert Katy Bowman has written a book “Every Woman’s Guide to Foot Pain Releif: the New Science of Healthy Feet”. Our entire body ends up compensating for the change which can lead to long term physical issues. A drastic change from heels flats can even cause tearing of the Achilles tendon. Not fun!
“Just say ‘No!’” she states in her book. The physical and sometimes permanent damage we are doing to our bodies is just not worth it in the long run. Bare feet at home and a natural barefoot shoe on the streets is best she states. Down the road, our knees, hips and back will thank us!
…. ‘these boots were made for walking …and that’s just what they’ll do’ … but not on a 6 inch incline!
Posted on January 20th, 2012 by violetquartz | No Comments
Happy Friday! …excellent, the weekend is here and we’re quickly approaching the end of the first month of a new year. Many have made resolutions this year to eat healthier bringing in vital new foods and ditching others that perhaps don’t serve a nutritional purpose.
So why are we going nuts this weekend?
We’re going nuts because in the past nuts had gotten themselves a bad name for their fat content. However, with research over recent years, nuts are back in the spotlight as a neccessary staple in our diets.
Nuts have been around since the dawn of time as a dietary staple nearly 800,000 years past. Did they know something about these delicious bites?
The Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Psychology today outlines the nutritious component that these gems offer our diets. We need Omega 3 fatty acids for our brains and these little numbers are packed with them. They are ‘rich in energy and loaded with nutrients.’ They contribute to a ‘decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, even parkinsons.’ With vitamins E, B and a myriad of others, nuts pack a punch with their nutritional benefits.
So off you go. Grab yourself a handful of your favorite. Shelled, or perhaps you’d enjoy breaking into them as a whole. They’re fantastic at curbing the sweet tooth as a protein that will satiate you until your next meal.
Posted on January 18th, 2012 by violetquartz | No Comments
…An agent of change.
…A phrase that just came to mind and it’s eye perhaps!
This week’s mid week motivator comes with the intention that we become agents of change…”becoming the change that we wish to see.”
We all have brilliant ideas within ourselves that could inspire our own local communities, as well as global, with good will and intetion and deed.
Where does your heart lie with it’s intention?
Where could you be “The Agent of Change” in your circle?
What changes would you like to see?
Fill us in on your ideas!
Posted on January 16th, 2012 by violetquartz | No Comments
Happy Monday! I hope all of you had a lovely weekend enjoying the crispness in the air. …even some sunshine!
Seeing as we’re still in the first few weeks of a new year, some of you may still be putting together your 2012 intentions. Over the last couple of years, much of my reading has revolved around our mind and the physical capeabilities of our amazing brains. Studies in recent decades have begun to redefine the mechanics and abilities of this particular super power. From forming new neuro connections to keeping it healthy through consuming the proper fats … the following article gives you 5 ways you can improve your brain, written by Susan Reynolds.
What will you do to take care and improve the function of your brain?
