Exercises for plantar fascitis (by Runners World: Body Shop)

Exercises for plantar fascitis (by Runners World: Body Shop)

Exercises for plantar fascitis (by Runners World: Body Shop) If you have ever dealt with plantar fascitis you’ll know that it can be very persistent and frustrating to deal with. Here is a video on 5 exercises that can help strengthen the foot and ankle, which addresses the real issue – weakness. Add adequate rest and ice and you’ll be back on your feet in no time! ~Think...
3 ways to peel a pomegranate

3 ways to peel a pomegranate

You know what they say…there are many ways to peel a pomegranate! This video might just make you want to eat one....
Easy plum freezer jam

Easy plum freezer jam

Easy plum freezer jam This year our trees were loaded with plums. I have canned jam in the past but I thought I would try making Freezer Jam. I didn’t know it was THAT easy! ~Think...

How to Reduce the Stress of Too Many Choices

There are many sources of stress in life now days. When I read the Chinese Medicine classics they talk about stress in a relevant way but there are many lifestyle factors that we have today then didn’t exist in 2000BC.  Today I am sure it is safe to say that we have more choices than ever before. What should you eat? what car do you want? where do you want to live? what do you want to do? what kind of lifestyle you want? and on and on These choices, studies show, can cause an enormous amount of stress. In a book called The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz  the author shows that having too many choices can cause serious pressure and stress. This pressure, according to the psychologist, can lead to clinical depression, overwhelm, anxiety, and the inability to make any decisions at all. The main idea is having more choice leads to less happiness and life fulfillment. This concept can easily apply to our health. A quick google search will show the multitude of diets, exercise plans, and therapies available. I get concerned thinking about the aging Baby Boomers, who have never really thought much about their health, hitting this mass of information and trying to weed through it all. How do you chose which ‘Plan’ is right for you? My advice is to chose 1 idea or plan and try it for a predetermined amount of time. Stick to it for the whole amount of time that you decided on. Don’t worry if it’s not the ‘best’ choice just pick one...

Merry New Years!

Welcome to 2012! I was watching people mope around in the rainy Victoria sidewalks today and noticed that there is a definite “holiday-worn” look that many people are wearing. We ate our plum pudding, buried our mashed potatoes in gravy, and drank bubbly grape juice at the stroke of midnight, so it must mean the holidays are over. The beginning of the year is a great time to reflect on the previous year, take note of what we have learned, and plan the year ahead. While I don’t like the term “New Years Resolution” I think there is tremendous value in goal setting. We should be goal setting at least once a year. Highly productive people goal set and make a plan of action at least once a month. Studies show that by simply writing down your “intentions” for the year make you 70% more likely to achieve them, even if you put them in a drawer and never think about it until this time next year. So, if you could fast forward to December 31, 2012 and you could look back and say, “That was a great year!” what would have needed to happen? Do you need to stop smoking? Lose weight? Improve your diet? Start exercising? Manage stress? Sleep more? Do you need to change careers? Change your outlook? Change the people you surround yourself with? Do you need to travel? Take a vacation? Build that invention that you had stored in your mind? Learn French? I would encourage you to ask yourself that simple question. If nothing comes to mind, it’s OK, just wait. Often people...