503-705-4762

Author: Anne

Massage Therapy for Better Sleep

According to this article from Massage magazine, insomnia costs you more than a good night’s rest:

New research shows insomnia is costing the U.S. workforce more than $63 billion a year in lost productivity. Insomnia is costing the average U.S. worker 11.3 days, or $2,280 in lost productivity every year, according to a study in a recent issue of the journal Sleep. As a nation, the total cost is 252.7 days and $63.2 billion.

The study was conducted via phone interview and more women than men report suffering from insomnia. The study’s lead author Ronald C. Kessler, Ph.D. says “It’s an under appreciated problem. Americans are not missing work because of insomnia. They are still going to their jobs but accomplishing less because they’re tired. In an information-based economy, it’s difficult to find a condition that has a greater effect on productivity.”

Do you have trouble falling asleep at night or staying asleep? Want to be more productive at work or have a higher quality of life?  Massage therapy can help! Massage promotes rest and relaxation—two crucial components of good sleep.

Five D’s to Avoid Mindless Eating

Do you find yourself eating when you’re not hungry? In this article, “Six Ways to Avoid Mindless Eating,” author Amanda Chan quotes registered dietitian Keri Gans, author of The Small Change Diet. To avoid mindless snacking, Gans suggests the Five D’s: delay, determine, distract, distance, and decide. Wait before you grab that bag of chips. Decide if you are in fact hungry. If not, distract yourself with something else (go for a walk?) or distance yourself from the tempting snack. As you start your day, think about and prepare your snacks and meals so you don’t find yourself starving and at the vending machine or fast-food window.

Muddy Boot Festival 2011

Here’s a recap from the Muddy Boot Festival last weekend – I shared a booth with acupuncturist Leela Longson and Naturopath Shani Fox.

What fun! I met a lot if cool people, visited with some of my clients, and scored some cool goodies, more on that later….

It was plenty hot but luckily we had shade (thanks Leela!) and the classes were being held indoors in the a.c.

On Saturday I was super busy with massages.  I heard some great music from the Freak Mountain Ramblers.

KBOO was there as well.  If you haven’t tuned in to the boo check out the schedule here.  Their Saturday lineup includes country, bluegrass, the dead and the blues.

Sunday the music continued with Sugarcane who covered the Talking Head’s “This Must Be The Place” one of my favorite songs!

Casey Neil and the Norway Rats closed the show and their set included a cover of Toots and the Maytals “Pressure Drop”

Our next door neighbor was Haley with Chiyu Confections.  I sampled some of her delicious mushroom and herb infused chocolate truffles.  She sells her goodies at Peoples Farmer’s market year round.

I also met Nate from Enviofuel.  He converts your Diesel rig to run on vegetable oil.  And yes his truck smells like french fries.

Hopworks was there with cold beers.  I waited til almost five on Sunday before cracking an IPA, I had to have something to go with my pizza from TasteBud!  I also scored a bottle of Organic Syrah from Klickitat Winery.

I sampled Lion Heart Kombucha watermelon flavor and was surprised at how mild it was.  This is a good brand for first timers or those who don’t like the vinegary taste of Kombucha.

 

I signed up for renewable energy with PGE and NW Natural and got some mineral sunscreen from Schmidt’s Beauty.  Truce Designs had these really cool bags locally made from recycled materials like old sails.  I loved the design elements and weatherproof factor of the bike bags and large duffels – perfect for travel.   The best booth prize goes to Tracey and Sara from Living room Realtors who had a couch to relax on.

 

Do you have a party or event coming up?  Call Anne and she will bring her massage chair and some relaxation to your guests.  503-705-4762

Muddy Boot Festival September 10th and 11th

Anne and her massage chair will be at the Muddy Boot Festival September 10th and 11th.  This “soulful celebration of sustainable living” offers everything from kid’s activities like sustainable face painting to classes on making your own Kombucha and keeping urban chickens.

There’s also live music from the Freak Mountain Ramblers and a band I have never heard of but I like them already just from the name – Keep Your Fork, There’s Pie.

Come on down for a little TLC or just to say hi!

Cran-Nutty Green Beans

By: Laura Ruben

Is your garden teeming with beans?  My buddy Laura’s is so she offered this month’s recipe.  You could sub coconut oil for the olive oil if you prefer.  Try this and let me know what you think.

 

3-4 cups fresh green beans, trimmed

1 cup of onion, large dice

¼ cup dried cranberries

¼ cup almonds, cashews or walnuts

*optional – 2 Tbs Hormel 50% less fat real bacon pieces

olive oil

sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper

In a sauté pan over medium heat, add a tablespoon or two of olive oil. Add onion and sauté for 5-10 minutes until just starting to soften. Add green beans and continue to sauté for 5-10 minutes (add a dash more olive oil if necessary). Add a few tablespoons of water, turn heat to medium-low and cover with a lid, stirring occasionally for another five minutes. DO NOT OVERCOOK. Keep only enough liquid in the pan to keep vegetables from sticking to the pan. When the water has almost evaporated, stir in cranberries and nuts (*and bacon), salt and pepper, cover and simmer for five minutes until beans are crisp tender. Delicious!