Monday, May 23, 2011

Summer Recipe from one of my clients! THANK YOU! LOVE THIS!


The tender green of asparagus, red quinoa, and pink salmon make this heart-healthy dish bold both in flavor and color.
Serves 4
1/3 cup red quinoa
2/3 cup water
1/2 cup light sour cream
3 Tbsp light mayonnaise
1 tsp grated lime zest
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 Tbsp minced fresh cilantro
Pinch salt
Four 4-oz frozen wild salmon fillets
1 lb asparagus
1 Tbsp butter
Bring the water and quinoa to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Turn the heat off but keep the covered saucepan on the burner for an additional 6 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Set aside.
Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime zest, 1 Tbsp of the lime juice, ginger, cilantro and salt in a small bowl, mixing well. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the frozen fillets in an 8- or 9-inch square baking dish and cover with foil. Place in the oven and bake on the center rack for about 20 minutes or until the salmon is pink and flakes with a fork.
While the salmon is cooking, prepare the asparagus. Trim off the tough portion of each spear by grasping it and bending it near the bottom third. Asparagus will snap where it begins to get tough. Place the asparagus in a large pot of boiling water and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes until tender but crisp. Toss the asparagus in butter and the remaining 1 Tbsp of lime juice. Season with additional salt to taste.
Arrange the asparagus on individual serving plates. Place a portion of the quinoa over the asparagus and top with a piece of salmon. Drizzle the lime dressing over the salmon and serve immediately.

TD&N Nutrient Analysis: 
Calories: 342; Total Fat: 18 g; Saturated Fat; 6 g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g; Cholesterol: 85 mg; Sodium: 155 mg; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Fiber: 3 g; Protein: 28 g

Recipe and photo used with permission from Quinoa 365: The Everyday Superfood by Patrician Green and Carolyn Hemming, www.whitecap.ca

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Top 3 book pics!

I couldn't help but share with you!

I'm always looking for great inspiration and new reading material.  These three books are in a few of my top most recent reads.  I thought I'd share them with you!
If you've read them or end up reading any of them after checking out the links, I'd love to hear your feedback on each book.  Every one has been life changing for me.  Helping to navigate my life course....each time I read something that lifts my spirits, it's like putting wind in the sails of a sailboat allowing it to point a little higher into the wind!
I hope you check these out and enjoy them as much as I have.  A couple of them I enjoyed so much I read them twice!







Have a fantastic day!  And please post feedback on these, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I hope for much joy in your life today!
~Cindy

Friday, February 11, 2011

You can have an Impact! Egypt today!

Have you been following the facts of what has been taking place in Cairo?  Mubarak steps down!
The reactions some have stated are similar to when the Berlin Wall Fell!
http://www.boingboing.net/2011/02/11/egypt-tgif.html

Ever wonder how much impact you as a person can make to an entire country?
Yes...No...Maybe? Whether you have thought about it or not, you as an individual not only have an impact on the United States Economy but others as well. We have all been on the edge of our seats wondering what will be the next step during the Egypt protests. After all of the recent events that have happened in the past weeks, How do you think Egypt will rise up in regards to the people, businesses, and tourism?

As you can imagine the economy is suffering as well. Take a look at this article that we have recently read upon (link is at the bottom). It is amazing how much traffic brought to the Pyramids can impact Egypt's well being. If you take a look at the staggering number on the bottom of the article it states that one bank of Egypt is estimating that their country is loosing $310 Million a day. That number all by itself is enough to hurt any economy.

So... with that being said our question for you today is...

If you knew that your Country was struggling with a Political outrage, would you sacrifice your political stand to help your Country's Economy well-being? Why or Why not?

Let us know, we are looking to have some dialog to see what everyone was thinking?

Have a good Weekend!

News Article: http://bit.ly/gFuRbN

Today's post provided by:  Drake Marketing Intern Tokunbo Pillot

Monday, February 7, 2011

Superbowl XLV

What a game!!!

Steelers vs Packers 25 - 31

Where's the fun for you?

  1. All about the game?
  2. A commercial critic?
  3. Halftime hotspot?
What was your favorite part of the Superbowl XLV?  

Highlights and news Superbowl XLV

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Low back ache ~ Psoas (psóās)

The most frequent low back pain seen in this office comes from the grouping of muscles seen below.
When tight, overworked or just plain exhausted, the psoas muscle can cause many complications.

Directly:
  • Sore or painful low back
  • Back pain that hinders your daily activity
  • Deep low abdominal pain
  • Pain when trying to stand after sitting for a while
  • Not being able to stand up straight
  • Tightness straight across the belt line of your low back
Indirectly:
  • Piriformis Syndrome
  • Knee Pain
  • Heartburn
  • Leg Length discrepancies (shortened leg)
  • Rotation of the pelvis (making it hard to stay in alignment)
  • Excessively tight hamstrings
  • Tight calf muscles
  • Soreness on the balls of the feet
  • Plantar fasciitis
Abdominal Surgeries

After an abdominal surgery, whether it be from C-Section, Hernia surgery, or women that are dealing with endomitriosis, scar tissue develops where there was an incision.  The way that scar tissue works, it adheres much like glue to create more strength around the area of surgery.  With nearly every person that I have seen here in the office that has had some form of abdominal surgery, the scar tissue development glues to the deep hip flexors (muscles diagrammed above).  

In order to keep those muscles loose and mobile, there are a few things you can do.

  • Stretch 
  • Trigger Point work
  • Orthopedic Massage
Most often times, when someone is having an issue with the deep hip flexors, their hamstrings are so tight, they can't seem to get them stretched out or loosened up, no matter how much work they do with them.
It may sound backwards, but in regards to low back pain and psoas issues.  If you stretch your hip flexors first, then stretch your hamstrings, you'll get greater results and your hamstrings won't pull as much.

STRETCHES

  • Lunge
    • Back knee down on the ground, front knee at 90 degrees


    • Back knee straight, both feet straight forward, front knee at 90 degrees


      • Back knee straight, back foot rotated at 45 degrees to the outside, front foot straight, front knee at 90 degrees


      • On any of the lunge stretches, make sure you are keeping your torso vertical


      • If you want to deepen the stretch, raise your arm up in the air on the same side that the leg is extended back, this you should feel pull from your leg, all the way up under your rib cage.

    This is a very quick and simple solution to overcoming low back pain that is associated with the deep hip flexors, predominantly the psoas muscles.  

    Make sure you do one or all of these stretches BEFORE stretching out your hamstrings.  
    If you're on a run (especially if it's a hilly course) and you feel your hamstrings start to tighten up, stop for 10-20 seconds do a lunge/psoas stretch, then continue your run. You'll be amazed at the difference stretching out these deep muscles can make when incorporating them into your daily routine. 

    As always, if you need a little extra help, deep hip flexors are some of my favorite muscles to work on due in large part by the fact that the can ease pain so quickly with some of the simplest techniques.

    Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like me to cover a specific topic in the coming weeks.

    Have a healthy month of February and great pain free training my friends!
    ~Cindy





    Thursday, January 20, 2011

    Why are my muscles SOOOO sore??

    Yep it's a New Year....Break out the Sore Muscles!!!
    At the beginning of each year I see clients in January that have changed their routine, started a brand new one, or perhaps are doing something different all together.  
    Each time you change the type of stress or training you apply to your muscles, they have to adapt to these new changes.  Very frequently when pushing your body in a new direction you will have extreme soreness.  Things like shampooing your hair will take on a new level of effort.  (I'm sure you've all experienced it)  Walking up or heaven forbid going down stairs you find yourself hanging on to the handrail for fear that the soreness in your muscles won't allow you to continue to the next step. 

    This phenomenon is know as DOMS 
         - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
    24-48 hrs after a workout is when the severity of DOMS sets in.  

    Some of us laugh about it, because we know it's coming.  Some of us wonder if perhaps we did something to actually injure ourselves.  The fact of the matter is your muscle tissue is going through a breakdown and building process.  The mild muscle strain that takes place when starting into a new routing creates microscopic tears in the muscle fibers.  There is an inflammatory process that develops to help those muscles heal.  The entire chain reaction process that takes place on a cellular level (I won't bore you with the details) is helping your muscles to heal and develop into faster, stronger fibers that have more endurance.  
    The DOMS that you experience may be the most severe a couple of days after the workout.  It should lessen as the days go by. 
    If you are experiencing DOMS, the best thing to do is keep moving.  Do moderate exercise, hop on a bike trainer, walk on the treadmill if you can't get outside.  A swim is a great way to help reduce the effects of DOMS.  
    If you know you're going to start a new routine,  have a massage scheduled for that same day right after you get done with your workout.  If you do it the same day, the effects will be far less.  Also, make sure to stretch really well when you complete your workouts.  Skipping the stretching time at the end of a workout is like not eating breakfast.  It is a necessity!  DO IT!!


    IMPORTANT - if you've got sore muscles, don't give up on your workout plan, drink plenty of water, and eat healthy well balanced meals, (Stay AWAY from simple carbs -sugars- They increase the inflammation in your tissues).  Eat lots of veggies and protein...stay AWAY from sugars, breads, starches.  If you're craving sugar, you might not have enough protein.  All of these things will help you be on your way to a healthier, stronger, faster you.  

    Last note on DOMS, If you're really sore, you might just have to modify your workouts for a couple of days, then you'll be back into your routine stronger than ever. Whatever you do....DON'T GIVE UP!!

    GET CONNECTED
    Are you having trouble getting into a routine?  Need some people to help hold you accountable to your workouts or just plain bored of working out alone?  
    Why not join a club?  DSM TRI is only $40 for an entire year.  The product discounts make up for the cost of membership very quickly, not to mention free group training sessions hosted by Zoom Performance Training.  Join DSM TRI Club today to get linked in to activities going on around the DSM Metro!

    Have questions about muscle injuries or soreness, ask!  I'd love to help!

    Monday, January 3, 2011

    2011 Planning

    This is the first blog post for Hands On Sports Massage.  My coach, Greg Thompson, has been asking my on a weekly basis for the last YEAR, why I don't have a blog, and why I'm not writing about my research and what I find on a daily, quarterly or annual basis with the athletes I work with each year.  So, Greg Thompson, this first post is for you!


    In December of 2010, I sat down to do the first quarter planning for 2011 for the future of Hands On Sports Massage.  Below is one of the many things I've contemplated during the planning process.  I hope the information can help you have a successful 2011!

    As we all step into the NEW YEAR, the planning, resolutions, packed gyms and and the number of people exercising increases immensely.  Something I hear every single year....without fail.  "Why is it that the gyms are PACKED in January and it starts to fade off end of January and into the beginning of February?"  Let's take a look for a moment at human nature shall we?  
    ~New Year...New You...the upcoming Spring break, the fact that perhaps folks have put on a few lbs during the holiday season.  Why is it then, that when faced with January 1st, every year, without fail, the gyms are packed to the gills?  Why then after the first couple of weeks of gym goers does the excitement fall away?  
    Is it because the goal was too high?  Most likely not...sometimes we don't set the bar high enough...we sometimes don't realize what we are truly capable of. 
    Is it because the individual didn't have a plan?  Perhaps, but not the most likely reason.  Typically the plan is there, but personal accountability and everyday stresses get in the way.

    In the massage clinic...every first quarter....
    I see pain, injuries, muscle soreness, fatigue, frustration....why is the new plan NOT working???


    Perhaps the below topics can be of assistance for those of you trying to get into a new routine.....
    1. You have your goal... AWESOME!  (write it down on a piece of paper and put it in your wallet, hang it in your bathroom on the mirror, put it on a post it note on your desk, whatever it takes)
    2. Find someone to hold YOU accountable!  (friend, coach, trainer, dog, sibling, parent...SOMEONE)
    3. Fuel your body PROPERLY!  (there are tons of articles online that talk about eating healthy, eating CLEAN....a great rule of thumb for shopping for groceries, stick to the outsides of the market, typically the inner isles are filled with boxed and packaged food that is processed.  By staying to the outsides boarders of the supermarket you will be able to hit the major food groups; fruits, veggies, meats, dairy.  Most often times during a new program, the first thing your body will start to crave when you hit the market will be carbohydrates.  HINT - most often that's your body asking for PROTEIN!... Have a plan before you even walk into the store, know that you're going to stay out of the processed (JUNK) and in the healthy, whole, clean foods sections of the store.  Try and stick with fish, chicken, turkey, fresh or frozen veggies, go light on the diary as often times it's packed with fat.  MOST IMPORTANTLY - Have a PLAN.  Hy-Vee has dietitians to help with your food choices, if you're not sure, ask!)
    4. RECOVERY- SO IMPORTANT  ~ Stretching, Sleeping, Eating, Massage, Chiropractic, Osteopathic, Acupuncture.  (I see New Year's Resolutions start to fly out the window around weeks 2,3,4 of a new program.  To combat against that, make sure you have a recovery plan.)  
    Proactive vs Reactive
    In 2010 part of our planning process was taking a specific group of athletes.  These athletes signed up for our VIP program.  Part of this program was creating a specific recovery plan that correlates with their racing and training schedule for the year.  Taking into account when they would be competing in major races, when the intensity of their workout would increase, when it would decrease and when they would need specific types of massage work based on their schedule.  The onset of injuries decreased drastically.  Every single athlete that started this new program completed their entire season.  Hitting their "A" race without any specific injuries.  Does this mean they didn't get a single injury?  No, what it does mean...the soreness that started to develop we were able to combat early on.  At the beginning of the season, we put together a plan for each individual.  With that plan there was room for the unknown, flexibility to change course when necessary.  With constant communication, if a problem popped up, sore hamstring, low back issues, achilles and plantar fasciitis....the athlete knew that the best course of action was to TAKE ACTION, immediately.  Perhaps it meant taking some extra time stretching, booking a 15min orthopedic massage session that NEXT day.  Setting a Proactive approach to their entire year!
    I'm excited to say The New Program is working SWIMMINGLY!

    In closure to this....FIRST BLOG....I would like to say this....
    Listen to your body, ask lots of questions, join a training group, be cautious not to OverTrain. 
    Hands On Sports Massage is here to HELP.  It's a total joy having happy, healthy, successful people around at all times!  I want YOU to be one of those people.  

    Happy-Healthy training for 2011 -  
    ~I wish you ALL success in your New Year's Resolutions!  :-)