A Dose of Inspiration: Recharge

Ahh...taking an uneventful vacation is so nice!

My husband had planned his vacation (paid, one of those perks of being an employee) for the second week in January. I was still undecided about whether I would also be taking that time off work. We didn't have any plans of doing anything special, he mostly was taking it ... to take it. 

As one of my very best regular clients was finishing his appointment with me, he was thinking of scheduling his next appointment within that week. As I explained my uncertainty of whether I would also be taking vacation, he urged me to do it, saying that the money (my vacations are not paid!) will always come, but you never get the time back to do things differently. That sold me. (And I'm so happy, the money did come, in the form of insurance payments I'd billed a few weeks prior.)

We still didn't do anything special--really. My husband went to 2 Blazer games and his regular bowling league. But for me...it was so nice to not have to go and be somewhere. Many of you probably know that I'm beginning to itch to shift my work schedule once our youngest is in school, so that we can all be at school/at work at the same time, and all be home together--at the same time. Yes, I enjoy the flexibility of my career, and it has been tremendously helpful in avoiding daycare expenses, but it still comes with a toll of its own, and I'm ready to pay THAT debt off! ;) 

So that vacation was a wonderful way for me to recharge my batteries. Looking back, I realized my husband took his last vacation in July--but I did not. My last vacation was in February of 2011 when he and I took our first cruise together--SO awesome! That trip included my weekend workshop training to be a Certified Injury Prevention Instructor, and as soon as we landed back on the west coast, we were jolted back into the middle of buying our house. The cruise was fabulous, but the vacation ended quite abruptly.

I feel restored. My theme for this year is "Embrace." I am ready to do just that.

Product & Service Spotlight: Aloe & Herb Bodywraps; & Scrub Cloths

Just before I started my vacation this month, a new client inquired about having bodywraps done. Not wanting to leave her stranded while I was on vacation, I was going to make an exception to see her, as she wanted to do the wraps in preparation for an upcoming trip. We did 3 of the Warm Linen Wraps before my vacation, then she purchased some of the Solution Gel and continued doing the wraps herself at home. Upon returning from my vacation, she went back to the Warm Linen Wraps. She decided to just take measurements at her first and last wrap with me, so I can't tell what her inch loss is up to this point, but it is noticeable, as well as smoothing of cellulite from the thighs. What struck me, was her comment that she feels much less fatigue, much more energy than before beginning the wraps, and that she would be continuing the wraps (package of 7) for that benefit alone, that the inch-loss was now just a perk to go along with that result.

Aloe & Herb Toxin Cleansing Body Wraps

Aloe and herbs surround you for 45 minutes during these warming, soothing, hydrating, and deeply relaxing body wraps. A great treatment for clients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, MS, diabetes, gastric bypass, acne, and the list goes on. No shower needed after body wrap. 

It is your choice whether we take measurements before and after. If we do, I mark the places I get measurements on your body with an eye-liner pencil, to assure measuring the same place again after your wrap is finished. 

Inch-loss results are possible and best seen by clients who bathe with Aloe or Lavender Body Wash and with series of 7 or 12 wraps. Series discount pricing when booking and paying in advance. Following the wrap, the effect of the Aloe & Herbs stays in your body for 3 days. For each of those 3 days, try to drink a gallon of water (128oz) to help flush the toxins (Toxins stored in fat include but are not limited to ca ffeine, nicotine, medication by-products, food chemicals, environmental substances, etc.) from your body. Ideally, wraps should be done at 4 day intervals, to maintain the level of Aloe & Herbs effect in your body. 

You have three choices of wraps, and each is explained below.

Warm Linen Wrap

This is the most commonly done wrap using rolled linen cloths that have been soaked in the tea-like Aloe & Herb Solution. The linen cloths are wrapped on your body, and you will look like a mummy when we're finished. Wearing cotton underwear and bra will allow the aloe & herb solution to reach your skin for full body absorption and maximum toxin cleansing. 

After each half of your body is wrapped, you pull the warming suit (think rain-suit) over the wrapped parts to hold in the heat. Then you get cozy under a blanket on the massage table and enjoy 45 minutes of peace and quiet while the Aloe & Herbs penetrate through your pores. It's not uncommon to be chilled as the wraps are removed. $75

Warm Linen Wrap Series of 12 $750--SAVE $150=TWO FREE WRAPS!!

Warm Linen Wrap Series of 7 $450--SAVE $75=ONE FREE WRAP!

Solution Gel Wrap

The gel formula allows those sensitive to heat or with sunburns to enjoy the cleansing effects of the traditional body wrap. The gel is applied to the body and covered with plastic wrap.  Then you get cozy under a blanket on the massage table and enjoy 45 minutes of peace and quiet while the Aloe & Herbs penetrate through your pores. It's not uncommon to be chilled as the plastic wrap is removed.  $65

Express Wrap-n-Go

Solution Gel Wrap applied from elbows to knees, covered with plastic wrap. Then you redress, go about your day, and remove the plastic wrap yourself after 45-60 minutes. $35

Scrub Cloths

Speed the skin cell turnover process by buffing your skin more effectively than with a washcloth or loofah. Use prior to your bodywrap with the Aloe Bodywash or Lavender Spa Bath/Bodywash for maximum absorption power of the bodywrap.

Small $6, Large $9

Recipe of the Month: Kettle Corn

Several years ago, I really liked the microwave kettle corn. And then a tragedy happened. Our microwave died. I hardly ever used the thing for anything else besides the kettle corn. So I began a hunt online for a homemade version. I found it. Hubby demanded we replace the microwave. I still will only eat my homemade version now. No way would I go back! Here it is.

Kettle Corn

Ingredients

Made as follows, this makes a large bowl of popcorn. This recipe can be very easily adapted to how hungry your bellies are when making it.

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

1/4 cup oil, I use canola

1/4 cup white sugar

Directions

1. Place 3 popcorn kernels and oil in large covered saucepan over medium heat.

2. Listen for all 3 kernels to pop, then add remaining popcorn kernels and sugar at once.

3. Keep covered, lifting and shaking pan frequently until popping slows almost to a stop. Heat may need to be lowered slightly, depending on your stove.

4. Remove from heat and pour out into a large bowl and enjoy!

Upcoming Events: 2012

Happy new year!! Have you made resolutions, or just decided on some goals for the year? I prefer to think along the lines of goals or changes I want to see in my life, as opposed to resolutions. Resolutions bring with them the shadow of doubt and failure, but goals speak more definitively to me--something I really want to have happen. My goals this year are ... mostly to be more committed. Those things I wish I did better or more consistently--those are the things I plan to focus on. Flossing. Exercising (did you think I was perfect at this? I'm not!!) Blogging. Journalling for my boys. Reading for pleasure. Spending time with friends. Sharing love with everyone. Paying it forward. All of these things. It sounds like a lot when you put it all together, but I think it's really more about tightening up the strings that hold life together and which have been a little too sloppy in my life, and I'm ready to cinch up a bit. What are the things you want to work on this year? Write it down. Share it. Commit. 

I'll be taking some time off this month. Hubby has (paid--jealous!!) vacation from the 9th-13th. I was on the fence about whether I would also be taking that week off and blocking out my schedule or not. We didn't make plans to go anywhere or anything, so I didn't HAVE to. Sharing that with a client that was planning to book his next appointment in that week, he suggested I take the week off, that money will always come, but you never get the time back. He convinced me. Blame him. ;) But really, it won't hurt to call or email me if you're really hurting that week. I have blocked my Clickbook calendar out, so you will have to come at me more directly if you need some attention that week. 

I'm planning on having my next Save Your Hands! workshop on Sunday, March 11. I admit I have not been marketing for these workshops as well as I should, and that's another goal I have this year. I'd like to be utilizing and sharing the knowledge I've gained, so I'm buckling down and planning on doing at least 4-6 workshops this year. Some will be on weekends, some on week days, because therapists have different availabilities with their schedules too. Check my website for a list of dates. They'll be posted soon.

Please share your goals in the comments below. I'd love to help if possible.