A Dose of Inspiration: Keep Moving

So you know this much about success: Make goals, break them down, and start checking steps off your to-do list, right? An important piece to keep in mind is to keep moving. You sit down, and it's SO much harder to get back up and work on the next step. Keep your head up, take deep belly breaths, focus. Remember why you're doing it, how much better you'll feel when you've finished it, what difference it will make in your life, who else will benefit from the end result with you. 

Keep moving.

And don't be reluctant to pat yourself on the back when you reach your goal. I am a big proponent of rewarding myself for a job well done. The reward doesn't have to be huge. I'm a bit like Pavlov's Dog when I'm at work--I've developed a tradition of allowing myself one piece of Dove dark chocolate after each massage I give. Keeps my sweet tooth in check. ;) 

I'm also about to get my next massage scheduled--after many hard hours working in our backyard this week, it's almost done, and I am SOO ready to rest and treat my body to some TLC. And I highly recommend you do the same! ;) 

Got the second stump out yesterday.

Hard to believe there used to be 2 trees growing in the middle of the yard, then 2 big holes from taking out the stumps, huh? Can't wait to make it grass instead of dirt now!!

Yes, I know I need more massages than just after lots of hard yardwork, but I also know how much more enjoyable it will be to know that I won't have to do more yardwork still, after I've gotten a massage. Once the grass seed is down & covered, I will relax. Ahhh....can't wait!

Product & Service Spotlight: Epsom Salt Soak & Out-Call Massage Parties

Recently, I stumbled across an idea that inspired something new. The result: My free Epsom Salt Soak packets now include an inspirational message--think of it as the fortune cookie of massage. For over a year, I've been receiving Notes From The Universe and saving my favorite messages, so I've gone through those and printed out the ones that I thought would apply well for my clients to receive also. Take a packet home with you after your next massage.

Back to massage, in the past month, I've done more out-calls than I have in my whole 5 years as a LMT. Usually, I am such a creature of habit that I've never been very interested in doing out-calls, but this recent experience was a lot of fun. Two of the out-calls were with a group of friends--all out-of-towners--that were renting a house floating on the Willamette River. The change of scenery was actually quite nice, and has inspired me to promote more out-call parties. It's a bit of work loading, unloading, and resetting my massage equipment and supplies, so I do prefer to do parties of 2-6 massage recipients and charge a single $30 out-call fee that can be split among the recipients. 

Beyond the windows near the face cradle is the river.

I loved all the natural light in this house.

Invite me over for your next gathering with friends--alumni parties, bridal shower, baby shower, birthday, holiday, or just because! Please call me to plan your massage party--503-318-9626.

Recipe of the Month: Gobble Up Granola Snacks

The kids are back to school. This granola recipe is great to throw in lunch bags, or have as an after school snack. Lots of possibilities with this recipe too--let your kids pick which fruit, nut, cereal, or sweet-tooth addition they'd like.


Gobble Up Granola Snacks

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup (or honey)
• 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the rice cereal, oats, and raisins. Set aside. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Combine the brown sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat just until boiling, then remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Pour over the cereal and oat mixture, and mix well.
3. Press into the prepared pan using the back of a large spoon. Allow to cool, then cut into squares.

Upcoming Events: Open House

Update on my study/mentor programs: I'm almost caught up with reading my massage magazines--chugging away impressively at a week and a half per magazine. Just 2 1/2 more magazines to read, then I'll be all caught up (until the next one arrives!). Once I'm caught up, I will be able to pore my attention into these programs. I feel confident that I can be ready to launch and begin really marketing for the study/mentor programs by the end of the year.

Ah, the end of the year. It is September now, so be careful--in the blink of an eye, it'll be January!

The tail end of this month marks my 5th anniversary as a licensed massage therapist. I've decided to celebrate by hosting an open house in the office on Saturday, October 8th from 9am-6pm. I plan on having a drawing for at least one free massage. Stop in and get one entry. Bring a friend with you (who is not an existing client of mine) and you both get two entries. Book a massage appointment within the month of October or buy a gift certificate and get another entry. If your friend books their first massage session with me within the month of October, they'll get 2 entries into the drawing. I'll have some light refreshments. This will be a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have about anything massage related, or specific to my business. Or just come in and peek at my new room!

Rumor has it we'll be having an acupuncturist joining the team at Heidi's soon--into my old room downstairs next to my new room. As I find out more information about that, I'll see if he'd like to participate in my open house event as well. 

Are you following me on Facebook? If not, you'll really want to start! As my clients from years past may remember, I had a pretty fantastic offer go out for Black Friday last year. I plan on running the same special (with minor provisions)--but I think I may only be announcing it on my Facebook Page this year--and that's why I'm emailing this post to everyone as well. I'd also love to have this blog be more of a back-and-forth between us, so your comments are always welcome and appreciated. Subscribe to my blog & follow me on Facebook now. You won't want to miss this!!

If the Black Friday tease isn't enough reason for you to follow me on Facebook, try this: I often post my same-day open appointments at $15 off. This is good news for those that aren't able to book in advance due to complicated/inconsistent/irregular schedules. There's often only a few hours' notice for these appointments, so you really have to keep your eye out.