Ah,
the liver—an unsung hero of your lymphatic system. Did you know the liver is
the largest digestive-exocrine gland in the body? It has over 500 functions! That means
it has a tremendous amount of influence over your body. When your liver is out
of balance and in need of a good cleaning,
you might feel a lack of stamina or have out-of-whack hormones. You might crave sugar, have joint pain, be
overweight, have bloating and gas, feel stressed or anxious, and have bad
breath.
Ways to support your liver
There
are ways to naturally detox your liver and mbg
health has several ideas.
Alcohol,
food intolerance (to dairy, gluten, sugar, and more), allergies, medications,
and infections all lead to “dirty” livers. That’s the bad news. The good news
is that it’s easy to keep your liver clean by doing the following:
Drink
lots of water (a good rule of thumb for how much water to drink daily is to
take your body weight and divide by two, leaving you with the number of ounces
to drink every day). Hot water with lemon goes a step further to support your
lymphatic system.
Because your crystals use the energy of intention and intention,
they need to be re-energized and cleaned to maintain their efficacy. Cleaning
is necessary because it’s imperative to remove any heavy or stale energy the
crystal may have picked up in its environment, or from you. Justs like you wash
your face to remove dirt and grime, you need to clean your crystals.
When you receive a new crystal, it’s important that
you clean it before using it because you want it to attune to your energy and
not those people who handled it before you owned it.
How are crystals
cleaned?
Crystals that live on altars ought to be cleaned monthly. If you wear a crystal or meditate with
a crystal daily, weekly cleaning is recommended.
Leave the crystals out in the moonlight or on your windowsill for the full moon. Lunar energy helps cleanse and charge the stones, and the moon’s light is brightest and energetically strongest during the full moon.
Bury them in the dirt for a week. Returning your crystals and stones to the earth allows them to cleanse and recharge with the vibration of the earth.
Burn sage and run the stone through the smoke because it is purifying.
Wash them in salt water. Salt purifies and absorbs negative energy. That said, not all crystals tolerate getting wet including amber, turquoise, moonstone, calcite, azurite, and selenite. (A good rule of thumb is that many stones ending in “ite” are not water-friendly.)
Rinse or bathe your crystals in rain-water, water from a spring, a stream, the beach, a river or sacred source, even in a waterfall (make sure you hold on to them, or they can get swept away). Dry them naturally in gentle sunlight.
How often do
crystals need to be cleaned?
If someone touches your crystal—which you want to avoid—it needs to be cleaned immediately before you wear it or use it again. People sometimes touch your stones, as they are pretty or shiny. A crystal becomes personally attuned to you, and nobody else should put their vibration or energy on it. Look at it this way: Would you share a toothbrush?
Miracles Massage
can help you select crystals and use them most effectively. Schedule now.
For thousands of years, people have believed in the mystical powers of
crystals. Even if you aren’t of a mystical bent, science backs up the fact that
crystals have energy. After all, they’re in computers, TVs, mobile
phones, and satellites—that’s just for starters.
Crystals have specific energies and healing properties.
Scientifically, crystals are considered the most orderly structure that
exists in nature. They’re structured in a way that they respond to energies
around them and emit certain frequencies. They actually store information,
which is why their energy crucial in modern technology.
People have been attracted to crystals since the dawn of time. Each
crystal type has a different purpose, so it depends what you’re looking to
achieve. Some stones are best used to heal the body or to tap intuition during
meditation, while other stones are used in technology or as a part of building
structures.
Since you’re not building structures (at least we don’t think so), we’ll
focus on wellness.
Five crystals to
use for wellness
Turquoise. Turquoise is the master healer.
It is believed to be the energetic bridge between heaven and earth. Since
ancient times, it’s been highly regarded for its protective and good-luck-charm
properties. It’s believed that when turquoise is given as a gift, its healing properties are magnified. Turquoise is a stone of
communication that helps you to speak your truth, from the highest source of
love.
Rose quartz. Rose quartz is a stone of unconditional love that
helps to open and heal the energy of the heart. It encourages the forgiveness
of others and, most importantly, of yourself. The secret to finding true love
is to love yourself. Rose quartz emits vibrations of love, beauty, and
compassion. It’s a feel-good stone that nurtures, supports and allows you to
feel the most powerful energy in the universe: LOVE.
Carnelian. Ancient civilizations believed that carnelian
attracted fortune and helped you attract your deepest desires. It removes
blocked or stuck creative energy that may be dominating your mind and leaving
you feeling burnt out or uninspired. Its vibrant orange color stimulates you to
move forward and achieve your dreams. Carnelian is an action stone that
restores motivation, confidence, and joy.
Clear quartz. Quartz is made of silica, the most abundant element on
the earth. It also makes up the human body, on a cellular level. When quartz
crystal touches your skin, a merging of energy occurs, which is believed to
encourage optimal health and healing. Ancient civilizations utilized quartz to
balance the body and clear the mind. It’s a powerful crystal that transmutes
negativity and amplifies energy to raise your vibration and help you align with
light and clarity.
Aventurine. Aventurine
helps you to overcome feelings of self-doubt. It opens up the energy of the heart, attracting new
opportunities. It increases confidence, self-worth, and optimism, so you can see the infinite abundance and opportunities surrounding
you.
Did you know that Miracles Massage
has crystals in its therapy room? Next time you’re in for a massage, ask me
where they’re located and why I chose each one.
Dude! I’m
not talking about getting high. The stoned I’m referring to is the usage of hot
stones in massage therapy. No doubt you’ve enjoyed having me use hot stones
during your massage, but have you ever
wondered why I use them?
They’re Hot! Hot! Hot!
During a
hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of
your body. The stones are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that
retains heat. According to the American
Massage Therapy Association,
hot massage stones are heated in water heated to between 110 and 130 degrees.
Four benefits to a hot stone
massage
Helps relieve muscle tension and pain. Heat is often used to ease muscle tension and pain as it increases blood flow to the affected area. Heat reduces muscle spasms, increases flexibility, and range of motion.
Reduces stress and anxiety. It’s the position of the American Massage Therapy Association that “massage therapy can be effective for stress relief.” Research supports their opinion.
May help relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases. Hot stone massage may relieve painful conditions such as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Boosts immunity. Massage gives your immune system a boost. According to a 2010 study, a single session of Swedish massage therapy had a positive and acute impact on immunity. Blood samples taken before and after the massage showed a decrease in a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure and water retention.
If you’re experiencing muscle
tension and pain, insomnia, or stress, you may benefit from a hot stone
massage. If you have a chronic condition that causes pain, talk to your doctor
to see if a hot stone massage is a good option for you. Either way, book your next massage
today!
Seasonal affective disorder, commonly referred to as SAD, is a type of depression, according to the National Institute for Mental Health. It can occur in any season but is most common in the winter.
Symptoms of SAD
Low
energy levels
Craving
sleep
Overeating,
especially carb loading
Weight
gain
Hibernating
or withdrawing from social invitations
Chemical impacts of SAD
It’s
common for those who are impacted by SAD to have higher levels of serotonin and
melatonin, both of which are naturally produced in
the body. Also, SAD sufferers often
have lower than normal levels of Vitamin D from the lack of exposure to
sunlight.
Serotonin is a mood-regulating chemical and melatonin’s main
job in the body is to regulate night and day cycles or sleep-wake cycles.
Ways to Cope with
SAD
Light lamp therapy. A specialized light box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light. Light therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep, easing SAD symptoms.
Vitamin D. During the winter months when sunlight is in shorter supply, take a Vitamin D supplement in addition to eating whole foods full which naturally contain vitamin D. Foods like salmon, tuna, cheeses, and eggs are high in this important vitamin.
Essential Oils. Diffuse a combination of sweet orange and peppermint or lavender to combat effects from SAD.
Massage. Massage therapy can counteract physiological mood factors that often accompany SAD, in part by regulating serotonin levels. Massage increases neurotransmitters associated with lowering anxiety and decreases hormones associated with increasing anxiety.
We can help!
If you or someone you know suffers from winter seasonal affective disorder, Miracles Massage can help alleviate the symptoms with a combination of massage and essential oil support. Schedule now.
If you
haven’t visited Miracles Massage lately, you may have missed our newest
addition to the family. Meet Kiz, Miracles Massage’s official unofficial mascot
or our experience enhancement specialist.
Meet Kiz, our experience enhancement specialist.
Kiz is
what’s commonly known as a Teddy Bear dog. What is a teddy bear dog? A mix
between the Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise dog breeds, they are also commonly known
as Shichon or Zuchon.
How Kiz enhances your experience:
He has a friendly disposition and will greet you enthusiastically when you arrive;
He’s a lover, offering up affection and cuddles;
He’s sweet and mild tempered; and
He’s even hypoallergenic.
Shows appreciation!
He loves his chewies.
He shares his toys!
Schedule
now to meet Kiz and have an enhanced massage experience!
As 2018 winds down, I wanted to thank you for being part of the Miracles Massage family. Year-end is a wonderful time to reflect on what went well this year, so I thought I’d share a recap of favorite 2018 blog posts (you know, in case you missed them!).
What’s all the fuss about the dry
brush?
Have you
heard as I have the hubbub over dry brushing and why you will want to include
it in your daily routine? You may be wondering, “What exactly is dry brushing?
How does one dry brush?” Simply put, dry brushing is the juice cleanse of the
beauty world. Read
more.
Can massage help with depression?
It’s
normal to feel down, or experience depression, once in a while. Typically, I
feel down when it rains multiple days in a row or when I’m exhausted, or
something bad happens to my loved ones. Read
more.
Repairing your sun-damaged skin
with essential oils.
Sun-damaged
skin is a total summer bummer. Despite our best efforts, there are times when
we either find ourselves without sunscreen, or we have not reapplied it soon
enough to avoid sunburn. If you find yourself with
sun-damaged skin, here are a few essential oils to help get your skin feeling
healthy and rejuvenated again. Read
more.
The incredible
benefits of frankincense.
Frankincense
is an excellent essential oil to use when you are looking to restore balance in
your life. It is associated with promoting feelings of peace, relaxation, and a
sense of satisfaction. Who couldn’t use a little more of that every once in a
while? Read
more.
Uncovering
Why Miracles Massage is Different.
I believe massage has incredible
power to promote healing within our bodies, which are often neglected until
something is out of alignment. Massage is a gateway to better overall health.
Understanding the benefits of regular massage has the power to change the
course of your future medical picture, in many cases. It’s that powerful.
Read
more.
As always, feel free to reach out to me to schedule a massage or learn more about how we practice at Miracles Massage. Wishing miracles for you in 2019!
As I publish
this blog post, it’s the winter
solstice, the shortest day and longest night in the northern hemisphere. This
year’s solstice gives us a unique experience as it coincides with December’s
full moon and a Geminid meteor shower. If you’re a follower of moon energy like
I am, you know that this is a powerful combination!
The
darkness of the solstice has long been an invitation to go inside, reflect, and
practice self-care. In case you’re at a loss for how to celebrate, I offer
three suggestions.
Three ways you can to honor the
solstice
Light candles.Lighting candles
to chase away the darkness is a centuries-old
tradition. This is a day to splurge on candlelight!
Enjoy a candlelit dinner. Use candles to chase away the gray of the day.
Practice self-care. Because this year’s solstice is
extremely powerful, it’s a perfect day to celebrate and practice self-love. I
don’t know about you, but I could certainly use to amplify celebrating and
increasing self-care. The holidays and year-end tend to be busy-busy-busy. Here’s
your permission slip to go get your nails done, get a massage, or grab a book
and curl up by the fire with a hot chocolate!
Be sure to soak up the beautiful energy of this longest night. If you long for a massage, please book here! Happy Holidays from my family to me to you and yours.
When I began Miracles Massage, I purchased organic massage crème online to use on my
clients. It was a great product, but I
wanted to do something…more. Something different. Something unique. So my husband
and I began to experiment with ingredients. Finally, we landed upon the exact right
combination to create handcrafted, small batch yumminess: all-natural body
butter.
It started with the chemicals
I’m a label reader. I continue to learn about the body’s composition and how certain products interacted, specifically with our skin and decided that I didn’t want to be exposed to the chemicals utilized in mass-manufactured products—and I didn’t want to use those products on my beloved clients.
We purchase the highest quality ingredients,
which include coconut oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter, mango butter, shea
butter, and vitamin E.
Specific Oils
Coconut oil is great for increasing hydration. It helps reduce water loss experienced when we have seriously dry skin (ah hem, hello winter!),speeds up wound healing, and leaves skin feeling nourished and smooth. It’s especiallyeffective for acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
Avocado oil includes antioxidants and vitamins to heal dry, irritated, and flaky skin, especially associated with psoriasis and eczema. This oil contains potassium, lecithin, and other nutrients that can nourish and moisturize the skin.
It’s Like Butta
Cocoa Butter is high in fatty acids, which is why it’soften touted for its ability to hydrate and nourish the skin as well as improve elasticity. The fat in cocoa butter forms a protective barrier over the skin to hold in moisture. It’s also rich in natural plant compounds called phytochemicals, which improve blood flow to the skin and slow skin aging by protecting against damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Mango butter is a naturalsource of vitamin A, and it helps reduce theappearance of fine lines and wrinkles thereby increasing the skin’s overall youthful look. Dry patches, flakiness, and sensitive skin can benefit from daily application of mango butter, which goes to work deeply moisturizing.
Shea Butter has high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins which make it an ideal cosmetic ingredient for softening skin. Shea butter also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Using shea butter on your body, especially your face, can condition, tone, and soothe your skin
Other Goodness
Vitamin E combats free radicals, which make it harder for scars to heal. By applying vitamin E oil to scars, one can diminish more permanent marks. While vitamin E’s main role in creams and lotions is as an antioxidant, it could help soften skin as well.
To further promote healing, Miracles Massage also has an Arnica-InfusedBody Butter to reduce muscle pain or soreness and a CBD Body Butter to promote a healthy skin appearance and decreasemuscle pain or soreness.
Perfect Gifts
Not only do I use these body butters for my clients’ massages, but I’ve also made them available for purchase at the studio. You can contact me directly to place an order for pick-up—the gift of our body butter is one you will be thanked for time and again!
I didn’t imagine when I was a kid that I would own and run a thriving massage therapy practice. I believed I was destined to work in business. In fact, for over ten years, I was employed as an office manager and bookkeeper for a small company located in Silver Spring, Maryland. But massage therapy chose me.
My days ran one into another as I put in over fifty hours a week in the office. Tack on a hellish commute both ways and I lived in perpetual exhaustion. I knew I had to make a change in my life and leap off the hamster wheel.
My hands spoke for me
One particularly stressful day when our office was busier than usual, I gave a co-worker a neck and shoulder massage. She declared she felt fantastic afterward. “You should become a massage therapist!”
I reflected on her words, letting them settle into my heart. It wasn’t the first time someone mentioned to me that I was gifted in this way. I decided to jump way outside my comfort zone and, at age forty-five, changed careers.
First position
My first paid massage therapist position was at a day spa in Elkridge. Over the year I spent there, I witnessed first-hand healing.
I soon had a full client load of wonderful people who booked to see me week after week or month after month. They and I noticed how their bodies and stress levels really changed! It felt like I was delivering miracle healing through my hands and I feel deeply in love with my craft.
Miracles everywhere
It didn’t take me long to figure I could start and operate my own healing business. Using my prior business and administrative skills, I created Miracles Massage.
I love my business and my work. Making real connections with my clients and being a conduit of healing is everything to me.
I enjoy listening to any of my client’s stories about their families, careers, and their happy or challenging times. Part of my holistic approach is to deeply connect with my clients, letting them decompress before we begin their massage. I follow my intuition, knowing on what areas I need to focus to give my clients the best therapeutic massage they’ve ever had (even if they’re regulars!).
I end each session by saying, “Thank you.” It’s an honor to serve my clients.
I’d love to serve you, too. Contact me and let’s get you scheduled!
