want to enhance your well-being, exponentially?

Well, I have been using the Earthing technology since November 2007, and the results have been suttle but enormous. Not only am I more "grounded" (not as spastic in getting things done), but I am more focused in my activities (including sleeping!), less hungry, and more productive. I have 2 friends who feel that their lives have changed dramatically, because they feel more rested, have bundles of energy, and even starting to build muscle mass but their workouts haven't changed! I can't explain it, but these websites can. Visit the main Earthed website and read through the entire website to get an understanding of the technology it uses. More importantly, read the Science and Research behind this technology and listen to their Audios. Great and interesting stuff! I have a sleeping pad on my bed, and I used it in my studio as a part of my massage practice. I hope you can feel as great as I do!

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massage therapy

Top 4 discussion points during massage sessions:

1. Daily water consumption. People aren't drinking enough water. I can feel it in your tissues. Your muscles are sore and you are tired. You're hungry more often with cravings. Water is your miracle drink! Not only will you feel better (minimize/get rid of headaches, heartburn, high blood pressure, and more), but you may even lose that poundage you you've been wanting to shed. Here's my rule set: Take your weight and divide by 2. This equals the amount of water you should (at least) drink in ounces daily. If you drink coffee, teas, sodas, alcohol, and any other diuretics, then add 2 more cups of water for every one cup of diuretic drink you drink. If you exercise, add more water, too. Here's a
hydration calculator you can use to tabulate your intake, especially in figuring out your extra exercise water portions.

Whoa Nellie, that's alot of water you're thinking...I'm going to have setup camp in the bathroom! Well, maybe initially you will have to ;-) , because the water is flushing out the your system (blood, lymph, kidneys, etc.). Another secret is to not drink all the water at once, so divide your total water consumption by 3. SO I drink ~100oz daily, therefore, I drink ~33oz (a liter) 3 times daily, about an half hour before my meal.

Lastly, you're going to think that this drinking water is a pain in you know what. But keep drinking water for, at least, two weeks steady, and then stop. See how you feel then! You'll probably like crapola. Start "playing" with your water consumption and see how it feels to you. Only you know what's best for you and how much you need...

Oh, one more thing, if you feel "washed out", get some electrolytes in. The best time would be in the morning with your first servings of water. I recommend one packet of Emergen-C Lite or Alive! Effervescent. Also, read Fereydoon Batmanghelidj's book, Your Body's Many Cries for Water (also see health resouces below).

2. Epsom salt. It is always recommended to have an Epsom Salt bath after a massage. Why? Thirty percent of the body's wastes are eliminated through the skin. Baths facilitate the opening of pores and stimulating the sweat glands, allowing the skin to excrete toxins. When Epsom Salt is added to your bath, the sulfates and magnesium in Epsom Salt detoxify your body by drawing out toxins through the skin and reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscles cramps. Lactic acid and other waste products that are built-up in chronically-held tissues can be released in the body through massage. However, taking a bath with Epsom Salt, these toxins can be released through the skin. Therefore, Epsom Salt helps eliminate toxins by activating fluid movement in the issues and increasing perspiration (in conjunction to the warm water). Begin with a 1/4 cup of Epsom Salt. Gradually increase the amount with each bath until you are using ~4 cups/tub of clean, warm-hot water. Should you experience symptoms at any level, stay at that level of Epsom Salt until you can soak 30 minutes with no symptoms. REMEMBER, you must replenish your body with water! If you want to learn more about Epsom Salt, visit the Epsom Salt Council website.

3. Got tennis and/or golf ball(s)? You are not able to see a massage therapist and your self-massage techniques aren't working, but you got this pain in your body that you just gotta get rid of...use a tennis/golf ball or two! It's cheap and it works for your neck, back, IT band, gluts, your feet, and where ever else you hurt. Put the ball on the ground and rub the bottom of your foot on it as light or hard as you can - great for plantar fasciitis. Lay on the bed or floor and put 2 balls at the base of your neck and on sides of the spine and just lay there. You can also move the balls down your spine or do compressions down your spine. You may need to be creative on how to use these balls as massage tools for your muscles, but it/they do great work. For those who graduated from using tennis balls, use golf balls instead.

4. My hands and skin. People always comment on how soft my hands and skin are. So what do I do? Here is a list of how this could be:

a. I drink lots of water, eat a vegan diet, and exercise daily.

b. I use a dry brush before showering daily. The benefits are amazing and plentiful. Visit Natural Health Techniques website for detailed information.

c. In the shower, I use a scrungy with soap to exfoliate even more dead cells. If I have rough spots (especially on my feet and sometimes at my fingertips), I use a pumice board.

d. I moisturize occasionally with olive oil (before getting out of the shower) or lotion (also before getting out of the shower). Sometimes in the evenings, I "lather-up" my hands with lots of lotion, put on a set of gloves, and go to sleep. In the morning, my hands are sooo soft...

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activism for health

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) PRODUCTS

In Europe, if you ravaged with a cold and want to pop some vitamin C and Zinc, don't expect that you can go to the store and buy it. You'll have to see a doctor and have it prescribed and pay about double-triple of what you pay now (here in the US) for over the counter vitamins and other popular medications. How about if water or juice was considered as a drug? In the US, we are not there YET. CAM products affect us who use, seek, and provide health alternatives outside the doctor-pharmaceutical arena. Public comment period is now closed as of July 31, 2007 (no other extensions have been issued). However, if you're curious as to how CAM products are "developing" in the US, read through to these resources: "Organic Consumers Organization" and "Heath Freedom Foundation".

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Monday, August 4, 2008

Client Testimonials

Here are some from my clients:

I have used massage therapy as a health maintenence program for more than thirty years. Thai massage technique has been the most effective for me. Of course, the quality of massage depends directly on the practitioner. I suggest if you just want a body rub that you go elsewhere. If you are looking for an experienced professional who will align and balance your chakras and tone your energies then request a session from Michele. You will notice immediately how well Michele identifies energy blockages and releases them, aligns the skeletal by neutralizing tension in muscles and joints, all of which leaves you in a posture of renewed balance and a relaxed body/mind. Michael Smith, Student of Kinesiology

I met Michele when she was volunteering her services at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for homeless veterans of the armed services. Michele was giving deep and relaxing massages to patients in their first 30 days of detoxification, and I was one of those patients. Michele's work helped removed poisons from my body, and she also gave me excellent suggestions on how to live a healthier lifestyle through diet and routine massages. Her skills along with her obvious compassion for the people she worked with are a combination that, in my opinion, is second to none. Michele's sessions with me have become an important part of my recovery from the disease of addiction. Every single veteran that Michele worked with benefitted greatly, and as for myself I have been able to remain drug and alcohol free since embracing this new lifestyle. I would never say these sessions with Michele alone were the only reason for my current success; however, they certainly have helped more than I can say. I would recommend Michele to anyone to improve their lifestyle through massage therapy and natural etoxification. Michele is a warm and caring person who is well-suited for her work. Thomas S., US Air Force Veteran and Advertising & Account Executive

I have had all kinds of massage and bodywork before and it always made me feel better. What has been different after a series of Thai Massage sessions with you is that there is no trace of pain and stiffness left in my body. Thank you, Michele, for your great work! Rainer Ackermann, Holistic Health Practitioner

What stands out the most about the massages I receive fro Michele is that I feel so peaceful afterwards. She made every effort to make sure I was comfortable and well-supported. I look forward to more massages by Michele in the future! Nancy Nelson, RN and Health & Lifestyle Coach

At 66 years of age, I believe massage is a healthy necessity. Working with Michele, I have found her to be extremely passionate about her work. She truly cares about helping people and will try numerous techniques, if necessary. Michele as helped me relieve many aches and pains and improve my posture. I always feel very relaxed and sleep great after a session. I would highly recommend her to anyone wanting a dedicated, caring massage therapist. Sandra Buzan, Retired Psychotherapist, M.A.

Monday, December 31, 2007

How to Make 2008 the Healthiest Year of Your Life

Hi,

I hope your holidays have been wonderful so far!

Below is the best email I’ve ever received from my friend, Frederic. It is an excellent list of ideas to help us feel great and enjoy life. Frederic has 28 ideas so don’t get overwhelmed. For now, select one tip from the below list and do it until it becomes truly a habit in your life, or that you can say to yourself that you fully accomplished the task you selected. Then, chose another tip and do it until completion. Before you know it, you’ll be proud at what you accomplished!

I have to say in the past several years I’ve incorporated many of his ideas into my life and feel great! I still have much more to accomplish, so you’ll never be bored J If you are stuck on what to do first, I suggest start drinking water! He suggests 2 liters which is a great start, but depending on your lifestyle (diet, activity level, weight, etc.), you might need to drink more water. Read through the massage therapy section of this blog for more water information.

If you have any questions, want to chat more about these tips, would like to schedule a massage/bodywork appointment soon, or have any other comments/questions, I would like to hear from you!

All the best and many blessings for year 2008!
M-

-----Original Message-----From: Frederic Patenaude [mailto:frederic@fredericpatenaude.com] Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 9:00 PMTo: MicheleSubject: How to Make 2008 the Healthiest Year of Your Life

How to Make 2008 the Healthiest Year of Your Life

Hi Michele,

Would you like to make 2008 the healthiest and most successful year of your life so far? Want to wake up every day, full of energy, ready to meet the day? Want to be fitter than you've ever been? Want to achieve your ideal weight? Here are my tips for making it happen for you in 2008:

1) Develop a Sense of Urgency. Whenever a thought comes to your mind about something you think you want to do, or an idea you want to develop, don't let it stay there. Write it down, and decide immediately to do something about it. I've started to develop this ability more and more and it's made a huge difference in my life.

2) Cleanse One Day a Week. Mark your calendar now. Decide to go through a detox diet one full day each week, as a ritual. You may, for example, consume only green smoothies that day, or just fruit.

3) Be Clear About What You Want. Spend some time now to be very clear about what you want to accomplish in 2008. Write it down. Write 50 goals, narrow it down to the three to five most important. Decide what the next action is for all of them. Just do it.

4) Always Think "What's the Next Action?" -- Don't just write things down. Decide what's the next action, and act on them, now. Read the book "Getting Things Done".

5) Read the Book "The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People". If you've read it, read it again.

6) Practice the 5 Tibetan Rites every morning. These exercises are super-easy to learn. I do them every single morning, and it's making a huge difference in my day. To read more about it, go to: http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/fivetibetans.html.

7) Spend More Time In Person With People You Love. The quality of our relationships really depends on the *amount* of time we spend in person with them. Just e-mail, phone or even "quality" time is not enough. Think "quantity" time.

8) Create a Plan for Getting Fit in 2008. You won't succeed without a plan. Be absolutely clear about what your fitness routine is going to be. Start slowly, but build up. If necessary, hire a coach. Think about where you want to be in a year. Start now!

9) Pay Yourself First. Save at least 10% of what you earn this year.

10) Track All Your Expenses. Track every single expense religiously. Read "Your Money or Your Life".

11) Work Actively to Build Your Circle of Influence. Surround yourself with positive and healthy people. It doesn't happen automatically. Make it a priority. Distance yourself from negative influences.

12) Drink 2 liters of water every single day. Start today.

13) Feared Things First. Every day, ask yourself "What am I avoiding today?" "What do I fear most"? Start with that. Do what's hard. Do it first. Read "Eat That Frog" by Brian Tracy.

14) In January, go for a cleanse. Go for a week eating only green smoothies. Register for one of our programs if you want support. Go to: http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/greenforlife.html. After the cleanse, keep up a diet of mostly raw foods.

15) Drink a green smoothie every single day.

16) Take a 30 minute walk every morning.

17) Journal. Keeping a personal journal helps you reflect on your life and gain perspective from it. If you're unsure how to do this, simply spend 5 minutes every night to write down 3 challenges for the day, three things you're grateful for, three successes and three things you would do differently.

18) Make a List of All the Books You've Always Wanted to Read. Narrow it down to three books. Go get them right now. Start reading one of them.

19) Spend Less Time on E-mail. Remove yourself from mailing lists that bring you nothing. Check e-mails only once or twice a day.

20) Go through everything you own. Eliminate anything that no longer serves you. Give it away to people who may need it. Simplify your life.

21) Give More. Find a way to contribute your resources, time, energy and talents to a noble cause.

22) Be Grateful for What You Have.

23) Be Flexible. If things don't turn out the way you wanted, just readjust your approach.

24) Watch Less TV and Rent Less DVDs. Consider getting rid of your TV entirely.

25) Don't Go Anywhere By Car if You Could Walk or Ride a Bicycle.

26) Make a List of All the Things You Want to Do Every Year But Never Get to Do. Narrow it down to one or two items. Take immediate action steps, book something, block your calendar, or otherwise make it happen.

27) Inventory Everything That's on Your Computer. Ebooks, files, audio, etc. Delete anything unnecessary, and decide to do something about the rest.

28) Don't Keep Your Knowledge For Yourself. Help at least 5 people benefit from the information you have learned about health. Don't be shy. They deserve it as much as you do.

Above all, take care of yourself. You deserve it! Forward this to friends.

Yours for health,

Frederic Patenaude
http://www.fredericpatenaude.com

PS: If you'd like to receive my daily health & success tips, go to:
http://www.fredericpatenaude.com to sign up.

PPS: Have you downloaded my new year's eve raw menu planner?
If you haven't go to: http://tinyurl.com/yvo3zx

Frederic Patenaude
6595 St-Hubert, CP 59053
Montreal, QC, H2S 3P5
Canada

For customer support, visit
http://www.fredericpatenaudesupport.com/

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

bodies...the exhibition

My friend, Rainer, and I went to Bodies...The Exhibition on Tuesday, 15 May. What a great, up close, experience! For us, it took about 2 hours to go through 9 "galleries" detailing all our "systems" from circulatory to respiratory to reproductive. I think, the most intriguing was seeing the layout of the skull with the attached spinal cord with all its nerves extending from it. Also, they show the fetus from a couple weeks to 20 weeks. This exhibit helps you appreciate your own body! Well worth the trip, if you still deciding or have not gone yet (see above links for details). Maybe the Body Worlds exhibit will come to San Diego eventually...

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

organic athletes!

On 8 May, Bradley Saul, the founder and director of OrganicAthlete, gave a talk at Ranchos (in North Park). Great turnout with lots of questions from the audience. He spoke about his plant-based diet (mostly bananas and then some figs and dates and lots of salad in the evening!) while being a part of his new, all vegan, cycling team. Here's a picture of Bradley and Kira with some of the San Diego's Chapter OrganicAthlete members (Bradley (back), Kira (front left, a member of the vegan cycling team), Michele, Chris, and Daniel).

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

humane education


On 28-29 Apr, I attended a Sowing Seeds Workshop to learn more about humane education. It was a wonderful experience! The first day we learned the theory, pedagogy, and best practices of humane education. Then we practiced good communication skills. The second day was devoted to showing activities and lessons that educators could implement in the classroom.

Friday, May 4, 2007

welcome to my blog!

Hi Everyone Visiting!

Thank you for checking out these digs. It's been taking awhile to setup, but I'm getting there. Definitely stop by when you are seeking information and have questions and/or comments. I hope to make this an area for learning and for fun. Enjoy!

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quote central

Maintaining and improving your health is a rewarding,
fighting illness and disease a grueling experience.

Everything is on purpose.

The burden of proof should fall upon the MD, to justify his/her self-proclaimed "radical" procedures, and not upon the conservative practitioner using the time proven "nature cure". (Dr. Doug Graham)

The basis of life is absolute freedom. The objective of life is absolute joy. The result of life is absolute growth. (Abraham-Hicks)

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health resources

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activism resources

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