Everyone can benefit from massage therapy. Here are a few examples:

• Anyone who has aching muscles, including fibromyalgia, benefits from massage therapy. I have been to massage therapists for massages in the past, and it was wonderful! My favorite type of massage was the deep tissue massage which really helped me the most. In fact, I found one lady who did deep tissue massage, and she was the only one I would go to.

• Even pregnant women can have massages. When our daughter was pregnant last year, she went for a prenatal massage and thought it was very relaxing.

• Massages are great, too, for someone under stress. It helps relieve tension.
  

If you’ve never had a massage, I highly recommend one!

Every once in a while I read a post, and when I’m through…all I can say is, “Wow!” This is one of those posts for me: What Cancer Can’t Do, from Wanda at Apples-Zeros. We get so tied up in the busy, hectic lives we live that often we don’t take time to stop and think about what truly matters in our lives!

I heard something recently on the radio (KLTY) that makes a lot of sense for eating healthy foods & not gaining weight. When eating out, try to stay away from the 4 “C’s” which are:

1. Crispy
2. Crunchy (fried food crunchy)
3. Creamy
4. Cheesy

With these types of foods, a red flag goes up for added saturated fat (depending on the type of fat used) plus calories!

When it comes to things that relate to our health, we want what’s best. I have an excellent doctor, and I trust that she’s doing what is best for me. She’s just that kind of doctor. In fact, she prescribed natural compounded progesterone for me that she takes herself. It’s important to me to have medicines and prescriptions that are as close to what my body can actually utilize as possible and do so in a safe and efficient manner. A clinical laboratory service that has that standard is important.

It’s hard to always have good posture while doing all the things we have to do during the day. I think the worst time for me is when I’m sitting at the computer or driving in the car. I really have to concentrate so I don’t slouch.

I’ve thought about a posture corrector before and seriously thought about buying one. Having good posture helps me to breathe deeper, and deep breathing is so important for oxygenating the blood.

My doctor told me on my last visit (she’s such an awesome doctor) that one reason some elderly people can’t get rid of pneumonia is that their rib cage is affected by all the years of slouching. They can’t cough deeply enough like they need to in order to clear their lungs of the congestion. That definitely made me want to work on my posture!

And one of the best fashion tips is to have good posture and “don’t slouch!”

Lands’ End has a new product called PureLoft Pillows, the latest technology in allergy-free bedding. PureLoft Pillows are treated with a 100% natural Neem Oil which repels dust mites and inhibits bacteria that can trigger allergies.

I am giving away one brand new Lands’ End PureLoft standard-size pillow, valued at $25. It’s a plump, very soft pillow that mimics goose down. I know because I have one of my own.

There are several ways you can be entered to win.  (CONTEST IS OVER)

1. To be entered once, leave a comment with your name (first name is fine) and email address. Your email address will not be published. I will contact the winner by email.
   
2. To be entered three times, leave a comment and subscribe to my blog. (if you’ve already subscribed, that counts)
3. To be entered four times, leave a comment, stumble, & subscribe to my blog. (again, if you’ve already subscribed, that counts)
   
4. To be entered five times, do the above plus write a post about my contest on your blog. (You can copy the above text if you want to.)

I will pay shipping within the U.S.

Contest will last approximately one week. Ending Date will be given during the middle of next week. Click here for ending date. (Ending date was Sat., April 19th.)

In your comment, let me know if you’re doing option #1, #2, #3, or #4. Thanks!

I like to shop at farmer’s markets for fresh, locally grown produce. I was surprised to find out last year, though, that at one place where I shop, over half of their produce (maybe two-thirds) was not locally grown. It was from California. I live in Texas, so that’s definitely not local. I can get produce from California in the grocery stores. When I go to a farmer’s market, I want produce that hasn’t had to be shipped very far so it will be at its freshest. I’ve learned since then to always ask where the produce comes from and which is grown locally.

This list comes from the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environmental research organization based in Washington, DC. There are 43 items on the list, but I’m just listing the top few. To see the entire list, click here. #1 is the worst, and it gets better as you go down the list.

• RANK / SCORE
  

1. Peaches - 100 (worst)
2. Apples - 96
3. Bell Peppers - 86
4. Celery - 85
5. Nectarines - 84
6. Strawberries - 83
7. Cherries - 75
8. Lettuce - 69
9. Imported Grapes - 68
10. Pears - 65

I’m trying to buy organic when I can. Sometimes it’s too expensive, but I’m finding more and more brands producing organic choices at affordable prices now.

I just came across a healthy sounding recipe for One Bowl Banana Nut Muffins with added wheat germ.  I think it’s so important to try to get nutrition into our diets, and it takes added effort to get it into our kid’s diets.  But if we make changes here and there and incorporate extra servings of healthy foods several times a week, it will make a difference in the long run.

One thing I might try different in this recipe is to use 1 cup flour & 1/2 cup spelt flour instead of all white flour.   Spelt flour is so much healthier than white flour!  And if your kids don’t like nuts, just leave them out.

• The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences said in a news release on March 13, 2008, that a chemical used for butter flavoring on popcorn can damage the lungs and airways of mice.
• The chemical name is diacetyl, and it can cause lymphocytic bronchiolitis, also called “popcorn lung.”
• This disease has been seen in workers at microwave popcorn packaging plants and also at least one consumer.
  
• Two microwave popcorn makers, ConAgra Foods Inc (includes Orville Redenbacher) and Weaver Popcorn Company Inc, recently said they would stop using diacetyl.
• The House of Representatives passed a bill last year to limit exposure to diacetyl, but the Senate has not acted upon it.

I read about the dangers of butter flavoring last year. I don’t understand why these companies haven’t already stopped using diacetyl because of this reason.

We rarely eat microwaved popcorn since we prefer the taste of hot air popped popcorn with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt, plus it’s healthier. Air poppers aren’t carried in many stores, though, but they can be purchased through several online sites for around $20 and up if anyone is interested.