Path to Wellness
May 2009
Dear Friend,
Ahhhhh spring! How great does it feel to be outside again?!
With that in mind, how does your body feel after some yard work? spring cleaning? the first golf rounds of the year?
Quick tips:
* stay hydrated (3+ liters of water per day)
* pace yourself (No sense in doing too much too quickly)
* wear sunscreen (SPF 30+)
* have fun!
In this "Path to Wellness" you'll find Dennis's article on Hot Stone Therapy, a recipe for a refreshing seasonal beverage, some gardening ideas and CVWC's introduction of Metagenics Wellness Essentials®.
Don't forget Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th and Memorial Day is Monday, May 25th. Also, follow us on twitter...you never know what you may find.
From the desk of Dennis Gibbons, LMT
In April's newsletter article I wrote about soreness and stiffness when going out and performing Spring time activities. During this month of May we will be actively going out and doing even more as we shake the winter dust off of ourselves. At Chagrin Valley Wellness Center that normally brings in more of "the beginning of the season" sprains, strains and more of the overuse syndrome problems.
At Chagrin Valley Wellness Center we pride ourselves in Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® and its many benefits. The balancing of the postural structure is still the most effective means of maintaining efficient, pain free movement but I would like to introduce you to another very effective therapy that addresses the connective tissue system of the body. That therapy is Hot Stone Massage, and when applied correctly has a tremendous effect on the connective tissue or Fascia system of the body.
Recently I presented......{click here to continue article}
Lime Sherbert Punch
This recipe is courtesy of Paula Deen on foodnetwork.com.
* 2 - quarts lime sherbert
* 2 - liters ginger ale
* 1 - (46 oz.) can pineapple juice
* Lemon Slices
* Lime Slices
* Maraschino cherries
In a large punchbowl combine 2 quarts of lime sherbert, ginger ale and pineapple juice. Decorate with lemon and lime slices and some maraschino cherries.
Metagenics Wellness Essentials® for Women
Wellness Essentials® for Women is a combination of four specialized nutritional formulas packaged together to provide comprehensive nutritional support and convenience for women in a single dose packet.
{CLICK HERE or IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION}
Metagenics Wellness Essentials® for Men
Wellness Essentials® for Men is a combination of four specialized formulas packaged together to provide essential vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and calcium to support overall health and well-being. Also contains a unique, all-natural herbal formula to support optimal male vitality, stamina, and healthy sexual function.
{CLICK HERE or IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION}
Spring Gardening Containers
by Jan Kepple (CVWC client since 1997)
The wonderful burst of springtime means an extra commitment to Pilates for me since I am a gardener. If asked by Hayley or Jarvis to do some of the contortions I routinely do in my garden, I would definitely decline!
Container gardening has proven to be a real lifesaver for me in recent years. I can create a wide variety of gardens on a much smaller scale, and eliminate most of the bending and stretching required to place plants in the ground.
The many choices of beautiful pottery available are amazing. And the recent introduction of faux pottery which looks like the real thing, but weighs almost nothing, has been a real boon to my back.
Angelo Pettiti has a recipe for a terrific potting mix that will make your containers thrive. I have used this for a number of years, with great success. Here's Angelo's recipe:
For each 12" pot:
A good quality soiless planting mix
1 cup plant-tone
1 cup ironite
1 tablespoon Osmocote
1 tablespoon Soil Moist
The soiless mix is much lighter, and drains far better than what is called 'potting' mix. In addition to the slow release Osmocote, you should use Miracle-Gro fertilizer as well, to get things off to a fast start. I would not use the ironite in pots with veggies or herbs, due to the metals present. And Soil Moist will get your pots through drier conditions or when you just forgot to water. Also, removing the initial blossoms from the flowering plants you choose will encourage root growth, and get things off to a better start!
Happy Planting! Happy Spring!
Gardening ~ 5 Ways to Contrast and Complement
information from Martha Stewart Living May 2009
1. Match warm with cool
~ Opposites can be attractive. Use plants and outdoor accents from like-minded families - or from different ones. Reds, yellows, and oranges are vivid and happy; blues are cooling and soothing, says garden designer, Lucy Hardiman. Reds jump out, blue retreats, and green is the unifier.
2. Connect garden to architecture
~ Some flowers and plants are set near the entrances to homes. Their colors mimic - and in some cases match - the trim on the building, offering a bridge between man-made and natural elements.
3. Think of green as neutral
~ Green is the most companionable color for any outdoor space. It runs through a garden, stitching it all together, in plenty of combinations, patterns, and tones. Try Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart' and Heuchera americana 'Green Spice' to mix with Elaegnus pungens 'Variegata.'
4. Celebrate the shades of one color
~ Choosing a color you like and seeking out several plants that showcase its varying levels of intensity make a space feel more dynamic, adding texture as tones play off one another. Clematis 'Negritjanka' blends beautifully with Phlox paniculata 'Laura.'
5. Rely on pots and paving
~ The tone and shape of containers and walkways can showcase plants and enhance an area's aesthetic. On the color wheel, green adjoins yellow, which adjoins to orange; mixing these yields a satisfying color scheme. Terra-cotta containers merge flawlessly with Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' and Taxus baccata 'Aurea.'
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th
CVWC Gift Cards & Gift Baskets are available.
Memorial Day ~ Monday, May 25th
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May (this May 25th). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.
More information available here.
Quick Links
Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh®
Fundamental Movement Pilates℠
Chagrin Valley Wellness Institute
As always, we encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas. You can do so by emailing us here. You can expect to receive the next installment of "Path to Wellness" June 1st. Until then.....
Create, Maintain, Enjoy Good Health,
Your CVWC Family
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