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What are the Benefits of Pet Ownership

July 10, 2012 by

A pet is so much more than an enthusiastic greeter when you arrive home each day. They are a companion, a protector, some thing to love.

Dr Marty Becker, DVM,a veterinarian was the guest on People’s Pharmacy on July 1st to talk about the healing power of pets – dogs, cats and horses in particular. He described several scenarios as well as research studies performed by DUMC, Washington State University, Mayo Clinic and other notable centers that illustrated and even confirmed how pets can heal.

One person said that the only time she wasn’t in pain was when her little dog licked her feet when she got home from work each day.

Pets can reduce anxiety and feelings of irritation. Relaxation was measured by release of biochemicals such as oxytosin, endorphins, lowered cortisol and cholesterol and decreased blood pressure.

If you have a pet you are more likely to be healthier than those without one. You’re going to move more – to let the dog in and out, to shop for their food and feed them and to groom them. Pet owners are more likely to walk several times a week than those who lack that special motivator.

Post cardiac patients have a longer survival when they have a pet. For example cardiac patients who have a dog are 8 times more likely to be alive 1 year after their heart attack than those who didn’t come home to a dog.

Stressed out stock brokers with pets had lower blood pressure, decreased cholesterol and were more active that non-pet owners. Sixty percent (60%) came off their blood pressure medications. In another study people who had cats were 30% less likely to have a heart attack and 40% less likely to have a cardio vascular accident or a stroke.(Dr. Marty Becker DVM, Our Dog.)

Dr. Edward Craigen, former president of the Mayo Clinic specializing in oncology, palliative care and hospice, actually prescribed “get a dog” to 30% of his patients to help them deal with their symptoms more effectively.

Dogs can anticipate seizures, breathing difficulties (i.e. apnea) and impending heart attacks. Having a dog decreases stress giving you something to focus on beside your worries. Pets often make you laugh at least once a day.

So if you thought you were rescuing a pet from an unhappy ending; look again. A dog may be able to save your life or make life more comfortable. Dogs give you something to love and the love you share with your pet could save your life.

Attend our lunch and learn How Much is that Doggie in the Window? on July 12th at Bistro 618.

See details and register at Events: QiLady.com

Nancy Davison, PT, LAc’s Posts – The 919 Business Network – Local Business Networking

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Daily Deals: 5 Benefits For Your Business

May 6, 2012 by

Daily deal sites are growing in popularity every day. How can your business benefit by running a daily deal? There are several. Maybe you’ve never thought about it before. Here are 5 Benefits of a Daily Deal for your Business

Teresa Robinson FitDawgDeals.com’s Posts – The 919 Business Network – Local Business Networking

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The Benefits of Massage

February 23, 2012 by

Had a good massage lately?

Ahhh, what a wonderful feeling after a relaxing massage. Whether you are an athlete looking to reduce muscle pain and stiffness, a driver wanting to reduce pain of injuries following an accident, or an individual who wants to reduce everyday stress, a licensed massage therapist can be invaluable.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is recognized as one of the oldest methods of healing, with references in medical texts nearly 4,000 years old. Massage therapy involves the manipulation of both muscular and soft tissues of the body through the use of compression, friction, movable pressure, stretching, and kneading. This is usually performed with the hands, althought he use of forearms, feet, and elbows may be used. Each technique used can affect circulation, lymph movement, muscle tone, and the nervous system as well as other systems within the body. People use massage for a variety of health-related purposes, including to relieve pain, rehabilitate sports injuries, reduce stress, increase relaxation, address anxiety and depression, and aid general wellness.

Is There a Scientific Basis for Massage Therapy?


Years of personally reported benefits cannot be denied, yet there are some among us who love facts and data. Recent research shows emerging evidence that massage therapy is effective in treating a number of specific conditions, including ADHD, Fibromyalgia, Pain Management, and Stress Reduction.

One such study was published in September 2010 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine by Dr. Mark Hyman Rapaport. This preliminary study compared one 45 min session of Swedish Massage Therapy with a control treatment of light-touch therapy. The response of both stress hormones and immune function were measured to help determine why massage works so well physiologically. Two stress hormones, arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and cortisol (CORT) decreased significantly. Massage also increased the number of circulating disease-fighting lymphocytes while at the same time decreased inflammatory cytokines. This study shows actual biological effects that would have great implications in the care of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. (1)

Other recent studies have been investigating:

•The effects of massage on chronic neck pain and low-back pain
•Massage to treat anxiety disorder, alleviate depression in patients with advanced AIDS, and promote recovery in women who were victims of sexual abuse as children
•Massage to relieve fatigue in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, reduce treatment-related swelling of the arms in breast cancer patients, and alleviate pain and distress in cancer patients at the end of life
•Whether massage improves weight gain and immune system function in preterm infants
•Whether massage given at home by a trained family member helps reduce pain from sickle cell anemia.


Safety of Massage


via NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (see references)

Massage therapy appears to have few serious risks—if it is performed by a properly trained therapist and if appropriate cautions are followed. The number of serious injuries reported is very small. Side effects of massage therapy may include temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, swelling, and a sensitivity or allergy to massage oils.

Cautions about massage therapy include the following:

•Vigorous massage should be avoided by people with bleeding disorders or low blood platelet counts, and by people taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin.
•Massage should not be done in any area of the body with blood clots, fractures, open or healing wounds, skin infections, or weakened bones (such as from osteoporosis or cancer), or where there has been a recent surgery.
•Although massage therapy appears to be generally safe for cancer patients, they should consult their oncologist before having a massage that involves deep or intense pressure. Any direct pressure over a tumor usually is discouraged. Cancer patients should discuss any concerns about massage therapy with their oncologist.
•Pregnant women should consult their health care provider before using massage therapy.


Massage Therapy: Is it Right for You?


Massage has the power to release tension, relax, reduce pain, and even benefit our immune system.(1) Through this powerful healing touch we are able to enhance both our physical and our emotional wellness. When deciding whether you want to get a massage, consider your personal health needs. Be sure to talk with your physician about the safety of massage therapy if you have any serious medical conditions. And be sure to use the services of a professional licensed massage therapist. They will have been trained in the proper modalities that will give you the best massage at optimum results. You will then be able to relax and enjoy the many health benefits of your massage.

I want to know of your experiences with massage therapy. There are many different styles of massage that have different health benefits. If you have had a particularly good health result through massage, please feel free to recommend the technique or particular therapist in the comments below.

Live Well!

Robin

 

References:


I want to thank Ivy Jo Staton at FUZION Massage for her time and valuable information on massage therapy and its important role in complementary medicine.

1.Rapaport MH, Schettler P, Bresee C. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Sep 1. A Preliminary Study of the Effects of a Single Session of Swedish Massage on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and Immune Function in Normal Individuals. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, CA.
Useful websites about massage therapy:

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

American Massage Therapy Association

Robin Thomas’s Posts – The 919 Business Network – Local Business Networking

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Benefits of Hiring a Virtual Assistant (or VA)

January 5, 2012 by

A Virtual Assistant (or VA for short) is a qualified individual who will handle the mundane administrative, marketing, clerical, bookkeeping, payroll, website, SEO or social media tasks for your business on a contract basis. The VA is not on the premises of your office, hence the term “virtual”.





Here are some of the many benefits of hiring a VA:



More Time



A VA can take those “tasks” that are weighing down on your time and your mind, and handle them in an efficient manner.



What is your time worth to you? What is going to take you 4 hours will take a VA 2 or less hours.



How can you use those additional 4 hours for marketing your business and getting NEW clients?




Return to your “First Love”



When most business owners started their business they had a passion and a desire to share their service or product with the world. If you had some assistance, would you have the freedom to share that passion again?



Make a list of the things you LOVE to do for your business, that bring you joy.



Make a list of the projects that WEIGH DOWN your mind, day after day. These are the items you will want to consider outsourcing to a qualified professional.





Money Savings



With the downturn in the economy, many companies can not afford a full time administrative or marketing support person.



A VA can be hired:

• Project Basis

• Certain Recurring Events Monthly

• Admin Retainer Option* (where the VA “becomes” the hands on admin of a business”)



(* In our company, when a client hires us for the Admin Retainer Option, often company on-site visits are provided.)



VA companies are paid as a vendor, so it is a tax write off for your company. Also, there are no additional healthcare, payroll and state and local taxes that you will need to pay. Not to mention, the cost savings of having another desk, computer, etc. available for an additional staff member.





Peace of Mind



When I see a client do that “EXHALE”…I see the spark go back into their eyes. They know they have handed off something that has been weighing on their heart and mind for some time.



They are confident the project is in qualified hands that will not only get the job done in a timely manner, but with efficiency and excellence.



What would you do with an additional 4 hours in your work week?

Angel Lebak ~ Virtual Assistant’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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The Healing Benefits of Coconut Oil

January 20, 2010 by

I love finding simple and tasty ways to improve my health and the health of my family. Read to the end and you will find a recipe that includes some of my favorite healthy ingredients: salmon, spinach, almonds, and coconut oil. Delicious!

Last weekend, I attended a health conference where I was reminded of the benefits of coconut oil for cooking. Many people have the misconception that the saturated fat of coconut oil is deleterious to cardiovascular health, and often suggest using unsaturated vegetable oil such as canola oil for cooking. Actually, The polyunsaturated fats in canola oil make it very sensitive to high heat applications. High heat not only destroys nutrients in polyunsaturated fats, it actually oxidizes them at a molecular level making them as bad to ingest as the hydrogenated oils that are linked to heart disease. For cooking purposes, coconut oil is a far safer, healthier alternative.

Multiple health benefits of Virgin coconut oil has been found through research. Coconut oil is a rich source of antioxidants, protecting against heart disease(1) , contains anti-microbial compounds (2) , and boosts metabolism by enhancing thyroid function.(3) So what makes coconut oil different from other saturated fats? It is mainly the size of the fat molecule. You are probably familiar with the difference between saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. The simplified version we always hear is that saturated fats are found in animal products and processed foods, and unsaturated fats are vegetable oils, generally “heart healthy”.

Fats are also classified according to the length of the carbon chain molecule. Most of the fatty acids we consume (about 98%), whether they be from meat, milk, eggs or plants, are long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Coconut oil is composed predominately of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). MCFA are very different from LCFA. They do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and help to protect against heart disease. MCFA help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. It is primarily due to the MCFA in coconut oil that makes it so special and so beneficial. (4)

The smaller fatty acid chains in coconut oil are easier to digest and immediately burned by your liver for energy — like carbohydrates, but without the insulin spike. MCFAs actually boost your metabolism and help your body use fat for energy, as opposed to storing it, so it can actually help you become leaner. (5)

Start Living Well, and Enjoy this delicious meal~

 


Almond Encrusted Salmon

3/4 cup almonds
2 TBS parsley
2-4 TBS Vegenaise Dash of sea salt and pepper
4 Salmon fillets
4 TBS Coconut oil
4 cups fresh spinach
lemon wedges

 

 

1. Grind the almonds in food processor.  Mix almond powder, parsley, salt and pepper on a plate.

2. Spread thin layer of Vegenaise over the entire surface of the salmon fillets.  Cover both sides of the fillets in almond powder mix.

3. Steam or saute spinach in olive oil. Add dash of salt and pepper.

3. heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add almond covered salmond and cook for 5 minutes on each side or until salmon flakes.  Serve with spinach and top with fresh lemon juice. 

 

Bon Appetit!

Robin 

 

References:  
(1) Mitochondrion. 2011 Jan;11(1):97-103. Epub 2010 Aug 5 Dietary fatty acids and oxidative stress in the heart mitochondria.
Lemieux H, Bulteau AL, Friguet B, Tardif JC, Blier PU. Laboratoire de Biologie Intégrative, Université du Québec, Rimouski, Québec, Canada.
(2) Biomaterials. 2009 Oct;30(30):6035-40. Epub 2009 Aug 8.The antimicrobial activity of liposomal lauric acids against Propionibacterium acnes.
Yang D, Pornpattananangkul D, Nakatsuji T, Chan M, Carson D, Huang CM, Zhang L.Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
 (3) Raymond Peat Newsletter, Coconut Oil, reprinted at www.heall.com. http://www.heall.com/body/healthupdates/food/coconutoil.html An Interview With Dr. Raymond Peat, A Renowned Nutritional Counselor Offers His Thoughts About Thyroid Disease
(4) Dr. Mary G. Enig, PhD.., F.A.C.N. Source: Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century
(5) St-Onge MP, Jones PJ. Greater rise in fat oxidation with medium-chain triglyceride consumption relative to long-chain triglyceride is associated with lower initial body weight and greater loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue, International Journal of Obesity & Related Metabolic Disorders, 2003 Dec;27(12):1565-71.
More information about the healing benefits of coconut oil can be found at http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/index.htm

Robin Thomas’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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