Everything And Massage

Whether you love it or hate it St. Valentine’s Day is advertised everywhere. I myself have always enjoyed the sights of red hearts and roses crowding the grocery isles.  But I’m a fan of just about any holiday that gives me an excuse to decorate badly and cook sinfully. Today we celebrate love and romance. Many are exchanging cards and love notes, chocolates, or jewelry. For those of you that want to “spice” things up a bit, I have a super easy recipe that uses common herbs to heat up your date night.

*disclaimer-this is for fun and not meant to be used as medical advice.

The Theory Behind The Herbs:

Increasing sexual desire/performance relies on three main things. Proper circulation, a relaxed state of mind, and balanced hormones.

The herbs in this recipe that are used to increase circulation are pungent or spicy. These herbs and spices are either hot or very warming in temperament, as well as drying.  They stimulate digestion, circulation and metabolism, disperse obstructions, and remove or cut through phlegm and other cold, damp environments. Feeling bloated is not a good way to get things moving to the bedroom so I have added  herbs that also aid in digestion. It would also help to eat a light dinner and save the indulgence for later.

Herbs used in this recipe to promote circulation:

Ginger: Ginger is warming, and increases circulation.

Cinnamon: Increases circulation, is warming and very fragrant, and dries dampness. This recipe contains sugar and dairy. These ingredients are cold and damp produces. Cinnamon will help balance these conditions.

For their calming effects I have included:

Nutmeg: (Myristica fragrans): Nutmeg is believed to have a calming and circulatory benefit. A little goes a long way, it is toxic in very high doses.

Chamomile: This a well known herb mostly used in teas that has a calming effect. Not recommended for individuals who have allergies from the Daisy family.

Almonds and Walnuts: Almonds are high in Omega 3-fatty acid. Fats are needed to produce hormones such as Estrogen and Testosterone which are essential in sexual function. Eating healthy fats that contain Omega-3 fatty acid is beneficial for regulating hormone levels. Walnuts are also a good source of Omega 3 and are recommended for supporting Kidney Essence in Chinese Medicine. Kidneys are in charge of Sexual function in Chinese Medicine.

Herbal Infused Aphrodisiac Rice Pudding:

1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked rice, mashed up

5 almonds chopped

5 walnuts chopped

raisins soaked in chamomile tea and ginger  (bring 1 cup of water to boil, remove from heat add 1 chamomile tea bag, 1-2 slices of fresh ginger and 1 cup of raisins. Soak for 10-15 minutes until raisins are softened. Drain and remove tea bag before adding to pudding)

1 can evaporated milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

First, heat up the milks on medium heat in a sauce pan. You have to be careful not to burn the milk, stirring often. Once the milk is simmering, add the cut up nuts and raisins and continue stirring for a minute or two. Finally, add in the cooked rice cinnamon and nutmeg and simmer on low for another minute or two or until desired consistency is reached.

Happy St. Valentine’s Day and Be Well!

-Nicole

The Road not Taken
by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Today marks my 11th year as a graduate of the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences. December has become a significant time in my life marking not endings but beginnings. Beginning a new journey a new year, unfolding wonderful opportunities everyday. Thank you for being a part of my journey.

For those of you who do not know I have been studying Chinese Herbal Medicine for the past two years. I have learned from some of the greatest Herbalists in the country at Acupuncture and Herbal Therapies in St. Pete Florida, and several amazing seminars at the American Herbalist Guild Symposium this past October. I have begun to incorporate into my practice, all that I have learned and experienced from treating in student Clinic weekly for the past year and a half. Graduation is officially on Sunday and I am super excited to celebrate. You can learn about all the new services I am offering on my website http://www.totalbodyharmony.com. Including my Holiday Gift Certificate Special.
I struggle to find the perfect gift for everyone. And I seek out the best deals to fit my budget. So, when I was considering which special to offer to my clients I tried to think about what I would prefer myself. I came up with $50 Gift Card for only $25! Now until Dec. 25th. Happy Holidays

I have been studying Chinese Herbal Medicine consecutively for the last 2 years. A wonderful program at Acupuncture and Herbal Therapies in St. Petersburg Florida run by Dr. Bob Linde, has given me 100’s of hours in clinical case studies and informative lectures on Materia Medica. I use this medicine in my personal life and would recommend it to my family and friends (and I do all the time). It is a wonderful adjunct to western medicine, and allows us to take responsibility in our everyday health and wellness. Traditional Chinese Medicine includes 4 pillars of health: Herbs, Bodywork, Exercise, and Acupuncture. I can provide 3 of those 4 pillars using a system of diagnostics based on the 8 Principles Theory to determine the imbalance, and suggest herbs, nutrition, exercises and offer bodywork to help you find a balance.

I am excited to announce my new services, you can find more information about them here. And don’t miss the Special offer for $25 off Herbal Consultations!
Thanks and Be Well
–
Nicole Aleskas LMT MA44513
www.totalbodyharmony.com
massage@totalbodyharmony.com

I love crafting. I also love to save money. So when it comes to gifts I set aside some free time and make them myself. Most people appreciate the thought and effort of a homemade gift more than a store bought one, and it’s something the whole family can enjoy doing. I am very busy so I start early searching for new and fun ideas. I have an account on http://pinterest.com/ This is a great way to organize websites or projects you like. It is literally a virtual peg/cork board. If you are interested in getting an account you must request it on their website or you can tell me and I will send you an invite.
I will share with you some of my favorite homemade gift ideas. However, just typing in Homemade Gift Ideas into Google could keep you busy all day. There are so many to chose from. If you are not the crafty type just keep it simple, or look for video tutorials if you’re visual like me.

Most importantly..HAVE FUN!

This is for the Sweet Tooth. So pretty and easy. Try different molds or whatever you have in the house. A great gift for teachers, neighbors, coworkers. Finish it up with pretty packaging and you have a perfect homemade gift.

This is would be great for a housewarming or Christmas gift. If you can’t find driftwood you can use wood from Home Depot or Lowe’s. Have them cut it to the size you wish. Optionally, you could stain it before adding the hooks, giving it a more earthy tone.

This would be good for just about anybody. You could even suspend little trinkets in the soap. Make up your own unique fragrance blend or add herbs like lavender or chamomile.

Tis! My favorite season. Summer was great, and full of Sun and traveling and beach outings. But, it’s time to ease into school,welcome the snowbirds, work, Holidays etc. etc. Sept/Oct for me, is time to plan. I love planning and decorating for Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas. I feel centered and grounded as the Autumnal Equinox approaches. All the earthy smells of cinnamon and nutmeg will fill my house. Love those scented broomsticks from Publix! I start saving left over citrus peels and star anise, dry them and use them for potpourri. The upcoming holidays could be stressful for some people and even more looming are the allergies associated with the change in season. Mold, grass, ragweed the list is endless in Florida. But, there are ways to help ease the symptoms and better yet prevent them.
Supporting the immune system is one of the key components in fighting the battle against allergies. Stress, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and lack of sleep will undoubtedly bring down your immunity. Inflammation is also a major factor with allergy sufferers. There are many different causes of low immunity and inflammation in the body. A proper evaluation with your Doctor or Alternative Medicine practitioner is important to discover the root cause and receive the best treatment. There are many things you could do for yourself as well, to help prevent and/or ease allergy symptoms.

Here are some helpful tips and tricks to combat Allergy/Cold/Flu Season:
Invest in Hypoallergenic Bedding covers (mattress, and pillow covers)
Change bedding 1-2x’s a week.
Take shoes off before entering main part of the house and change clothes to avoid spreading pollen.
Change AC filters monthly.
Avoid dairy, and sugar (Dairy promotes phlegm and sugar is inflammatory and damages the immune system)
Recommended product: Aller-Ease available online or at most local Health Food stores.

Cold/Flu:
Manage stress! Stress is a big enemy to immunity. Get a massage at least once a month, meditate, go to the gym or yoga class.
Learn about prevention. Speak with your Doctor or have an Herbal Consult. Total Body Harmony offers Chinese Herbal Consults. Contact Nicole Aleskas LMT (727)631-2985
If you feel the sniffles approaching try this simple home remedy:

Soup Recipe:

2 garlic cloves
2 slices fresh ginger
1tsp dried thyme 1TBLS fresh (sore throat)
1 tsp dried rosemary 1Tbls fresh
1tsp turmeric
1-2 green onions diced(scallions)
(Optional) 1Tbls Dried Linden flower (fever)
Do not add sage (stops sweating)

Stove top:Add all ingredients to 2 Cups of water or broth. Cover, heat on high, bring to a boil. Take off heat, keep covered and let sit for 20min. Strain if desired, drink one cup every hour or until you break a sweat. Get plenty of rest and drink clear room temperature fluids. Contact your doctor if symptoms persist or you have respiratory difficulties.

For more information about Total Body Harmony Check out our Fall Newsletter here.

The new massage video series featuring me is here. Here is the Massage for Lymphedema video.

Lymphedema is a build-up of lymph fluid underneath areas of your skin…

Here’s a new how-to video about foot massage with hot stones from my new instructional series.

Hot stones can be used to give a thorough and complete foot massage. Give a foot massage with hot stones with help from a licensed massage therapist in this free video clip.

The new massage video series featuring me is here: . Here is the Massage Treatment for Bursitis video:

Bursitis is a condition that involves the swelling of the “bursa” sack in your joints…