Snow Piles ... of opportunity!

Ok, cheesy title. And if you know me at all, you know that I am not a "cheerleader"; I think telling people to "think positive" is trite and condescending. Yet I cannot help but see the opportunity, the "positive", in all this snow. For instance:

1. What other time of year is it common to see perfect strangers helping each other by pushing a car out of snow? I love that! I honestly, with every degree of sincerity, enjoy helping to push vehicles out of the snow. To me, it's fun.

2. Free, productive exercise! Want an amazing full body workout? Well, get your shovel out. There is pounds of free weights out there to lift and push and throw! Just be careful to lift with your legs, not your back! Even just walking in the snow is a much bigger workout than regular walking.

3. Rosy Glow. Everyone looks better with a rosy glow from the cold. Make sure you spend time outside every day, enjoying the sunshine and the cold air. And yes, we do have sunshine still.

4. Lastly, snow is pretty. It is. And it is here, so you best enjoy it! Whether or not you love all of the amazing snow sports out there, take advantage of the fact that we have this unique gift. Don't think it's a gift?

I spent one Christmas in Texas, minutes from the Mexican border. On Christmas Eve, it snowed, for the first time in 100 years. People were beside themselves. At midnight, children were running out onto the street to see the wonder of the snow falling. It was amazing. Even all of the Canadians were giddy, so happy to see their familiar fluffy, white friend in such an unexpected place. Try to view snow like it is the first time and the last time you will see it; view it with the awe and amazement that nature deserves.

And stop complaining about it!

Kristi Shmyr

Epsom Salt - One of Nature's Answers to Sore Muscles & Magnesium Deficiency

Here's an interesting tidbit about Epsom salt: it's called Epsom salt because it was initially discovered back in Shakespeare's time in a town called Epsom in England...who knew?! Well, the Epsom Salt Council, that's who. Who knew there was an Epsom Salt Council? I sure didn't. This is an American council that formed in 1993 because they were "eager to let everyone know the benefits of our product".

And now, here I am ALSO letting you know about the benefits of Epsom salt. The main components of Epsom salt are magnesium and sulfates. I am most familiar with the fact that these components of Epsom salt, in combination, relieve muscle pain, especially following any body work session. However, upon further reading about Epsom salt, I discovered that it can also help to relieve stress, improve digestion (especially the absorption of nutrients in the intestines), sleep and the function of insulin, reduce inflammation and detoxify the body. Epsom salt is commonly used in bath water - dissolve 1-2 cups in your warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes to experience optimal results. It's once the bath water starts to cool that detoxification starts happening, which is why it's crucial to stay in the bath for at least 20 minutes.

It may be a little known fact that a great many people are nutritionally deficient in magnesium. Magnesium deficiency can lead to irregular heart rhythm, muscle spasms, mood disturbances such as depression, anxiety and irritability, fatigue, weakness and confusion, memory loss, hallucinations, numbness and tingling. Using Epsom salt is a great way to increase your body's reserves of magnesium. The reason for this is because magnesium can be readily absorbed through the skin by using Epsom salt, as opposed to relying on the digestive system, which may already be under stress. For the purpose of detoxification, Epsom salt is a great way to detoxify. It works by creating a type of osmosis, the toxins moving from within the body, through the skin and into the bath water. Epsom salt is a great adjunct to any detox program you may be pursuing or just on its own.

At Prana Holistic, we recommend that everyone pursue an Epsom salt soak after any body work session such as massage or reflexology. This will continue the process of excavating anything that was released during the session, prevent soreness from any tough knots that were worked on and entice relaxation.

Epsom salt is available at most drug stores or grocery stores. We also sell it here at Prana Holistic, so next time you're here for a body work session, make sure to pick up some Epsom salt to take home and continue the process of relaxation and movement towards better health.

Roberta Shepherd for Prana Holistic