Massage Blog

Photograph by saied shahinkiya via Photoxpress.

A few months ago when snow was still on the ground I was approached by Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary to conduct a class in rabbit massage for the volunteers and adopters. I was challenged to develop a relatable curriculum that covered the basics in the time allotted at a novice level. I needed to cover anatomy and physiology, contraindications, effects and benefits, basic technique, and time to practice.

I think overall I did pretty well. We had ten attendees consisting of both volunteers and rabbit adopters at $25 per person, which is a discounted rate for the Sanctuary. I was able to demonstrate during the lecture portion on a large generally-anatomically-correct stuffed rabbit, so that I could safely lift, turn, poke and prod with no danger of injury to a real bunny. (It helped that the one stuffed bunny left at Meijer at 11:30 on a Friday night suited this purpose well!)  We lectured, answered questions, and moved out to the Adoption Barn for hands-on practice time with the adoptable bunnies.

The hands-on portion went well overall. Some of the bunnies were happy to receive the attention, and others were more skittish and accepted the bare minimum of physical interaction until their trust went up a bit.  The important thing with rabbit massage is to meet them where they are!  My husband and I identified where I could make some changes and improvements to the lecture now that we know what to expect, but we had a wonderful time working with the Sanctuary and look forward to another session in the fall!

In the latest issue of Kiwi Magazine, Dr. Lawrence D. Rosen, M.D., shared a recipe for Natural Hand Sanitizer that he uses at his practice, Whole Child Center. It uses natural substances to sanitize the hands without slathering on the overused alcohol-based "antibacterial sanitizers" on the market.

To make this natural hand formula, you will need:

• Small, glass spray bottle
• Water (to fill bottle after other ingredients)
• Aloe vera gel (1 tsp)
• Essential oils
• • Clove, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Eucalyptus (1 drop each)
  • Lemon (5 drops)

Mix all ingredients in the glass water bottle and shake well. Spray onto hands and go about your day!

I use this recipe and love it!

(If you need the above essential oils, bottles and aloe, you can get them at wholesale prices at our online store or contact me for more information.)

Do you know what free radicals are? You should!  Check out Thai Go by Nature's Sunshine. If you're interested, you can check it out by clicking here!

This is "forwarded" on the blog from a forwarded e-mail I received...

Buying Michigan Products from Ron Motsinger, Ann Arbor

There is so little that the average person feels they can do to help the Michigan economy.  Buying Michigan products whenever possible is a positive, relatively cost-free step with big returns.  In a recent issue of Hour Detroit magazine, I read the following quote: "If we all spent $10 a week on Michigan products, we could put $36 million every week back into the state's economy".

That was powerful to me.  Every day I hear people bemoan the state of Michigan's economy and here was a simple and impactful thing that each of us could do to help.

I contacted a woman named Jeanne Lipe at the Michigan Agro-tourism Department who confirmed that the numbers were correct and gave me some leads to get started on what has turned into this email today.  The idea is to shift $10 per week of your grocery budget to products that are from Michigan companies.  I wanted an easy to use list of Michigan products that I could find at my local grocery store.  I have attached a copy of that list to this email.  It is in no way complete, but it will get you off to a good start if you should choose to help.  I made copies of the lists and carry them with my shopping bags.

Some things I learned along the way: There are a lot of Michigan owned grocery stores that are supporting other Michigan businesses on their shelves.  Spartan stores are a cooperative; this means that if you buy a Michigan made product from a Spartan affiliated grocery store, you are getting a "triple dip".   The product is made in Michigan, the grocery store is independently owned by a Michigan family, and Spartan Stores headquarters is located in Grand Rapids.  Other independently owned stores are a "double dip".  This includes stores like Randazzo's and Westborn markets.  Meijer is based in Grand Rapids, so also counts as a "double dip".

I also found a whole bunch of products that are not mass distributed, but are available online and in some specialty food shops.  I have added them on a second sheet.  There are some great treats and gift items there.

I am not one to send bulk email or encourage you to send them on, but I am making an exception to that rule today.  If you think this idea is a good one, and you have friends and family throughout the state that might help out, please forward this email with the lists attached on to them.  $36 Million per week could go a long way!

• FILE ONE - Michigan companies & products (Download)
• FILE TWO - Michigan specialty products (Download)

Do you have allergies?  Well, Carrie entered a Nature's Sunshine Facebook contest in November with her recipe for "Go-to Energy Bars". She won!

Here is the recipe that you can make and share with friend, family and co-workers. It's also a treat that can substitute for "junkier" holiday snacks!

Go-To Energy Bars

Ingredients:
3 c plus 3 T gluten free puffed cereal (rice, millet, etc.)
3 T flax seed
4-5 T dried berries or other dried fruit, chopped coarsely
1/4 T sea salt
1/4 c seeds or nuts (optional, but if omitted add extra fruit)
1/4 c plus 3 T brown rice syrup
1 T oil (your preference)
3 T gluten-free flour

Cooking Directions:
1) Place cereal into a large mixing bowl.
2) Using low heat, warm oil and syrup.
3) Add all ingredients (minus cereal) to oil and syrup mixture and quickly stir.
4) Add mixture to cereal and quickly stir, coating all cereal grains.
5) Put into lightly oiled 9x9 pan, patting evenly.
6) Refrigerate 2 hours, then slice into bars
7) Eat! Then wrap leftovers individually.

Yield approximately 16 bars

To find out more about Nature's Sunshine, click here. I love their products!

It's starting to come around again... the flu!  There are also a host of cold-weather complaints that clients have this time of year.

As a reminder for your health and the safety of other clients you should not get massage if you are experiencing:

• Influenza
• Fever
• Intense cold symptoms
• Or if you are on certain cold/flu medications or pain killers

Please notify your therapist prior to your massage if you are:

• Just getting or getting over cold, flu or other viruses
• Experiencing moderate to severe eczema or psoriasis (due to cold weather)
• Experiencing any other illness or injury

Thank you!