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A couples massage is a wonderful way to spend relaxing, connective time
with your partner. It is also popular among close friends, as well as
mothers and daughters. A couple's massage is appropriate for any two
people who desire to share the experience of massage with one another, and who
are comfortable around one another.
One thing to consider when going into a couples massage is what expectations
each person has. For example, do they want to talk during the massage,
and if so, how much. It is usually better to have these questions
answered in advance, as it might be uncomfortable for someone receiving a
massage to tell their close friend or spouse to stop talking.
There are different scenarios in which couples massage is truly the best option
for two people. One of these scenarios is if a couple is taking a trip to
the spa and they are looking to spend their time together. Likewise for
girl-bonding trips to the spa. A different occasion might be if one of
the people involved is new to massage, and a little bit nervous about receiving
their first one. Having another person with whom they are comfortable present
can help them to relax and fully enjoy the experience.
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Most people would agree
that human touch is essential for spiritual, emotional and mental
well-being. Whether you believe in eight hugs a day to be happy or twelve
hugs a day to thrive, the notion is the same. Human children who are
deprived of touch experience lifelong, and sometimes devastating,
results. Touch is a way to connect ourselves to one another. It is
a way to show comfort, affection and support, among others. It is,
ultimately, one of our basic needs.
Psychological experts have
long held that touch can lessen pain and anxiety, generate hope and help others
to heal. Today, various studies and experiments are showing that the
medical evidence of the healing power of touch is very obvious. The
physical benefits of human touch can include a drop in blood pressure, and
increased speed in healing. Dr. James Lynch, professor at Baltimore's
University of Maryland School of Medicine conducts research on touch and
studies its impact upon the body. "Physical contact has very
dramatic effects upon psychological health," Lynch says. "It lowers
blood pressure. It relaxes you."
Fortunately, it is quite
easy to incorporate more physical touch in your life. Hug your friends
and family when you greet them. Reach out to your partner- hold hands,
give back rubs, or simply touch them in passing. Children can be a
wonderful source of physical affection, whether they are sitting on your lap
while you read them a story, or giving you hugs when they come and go.
Reach out to those who are in need of touch, and be present in your own need
for human touch.
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 Getting a
massage can and should be a wonderful experience. Here are few tips to
help you ensure that you have the massage experience that you desire.
Prepare
yourself for the massage: avoid eating a meal for an hour before the massage
and make sure that you are well hydrated.
Arrive on
time for your appointment: err on the side of being early, as this will give
you a few moments to relax beforehand. Many spas will offer a relaxing
herbal tea, and some may even have a sauna or a steam room that you can enjoy
before your appointment.
Communicate
your comfort level with the massage therapists. For example, if you are
not comfortable being nude for your first appointment, let your massage
therapist know this.
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Hot stone massage is a
healing treatment that has a historical basis in several different cultures
worldwide. Some Native American cultures used hot stones to help detoxify
and promote balance, healing, and harmony in the body. The use of hot
stone therapy for curing muscle aches and tension in the body dates back to
1500 BC in China. There are also a number of European cultures who used
this technique for healing and muscle relaxation.
Today, hot stone therapy is used in conjunction with massage to increase the
benefits of both. Basalt stones are heated in warm water and then placed
on the body in specific sites to relax muscles and open up energy meridians in
the body. For massage therapists, the use of hot stones can pre-treat
muscles, allowing them to do deep tissue work more easily. Some degree of
massage may also be performed with the hot stones themselves, and cool stones
are sometimes alternated with the hot stones.
The benefits of hot stone massage include toxin release, stress alleviation, muscle
and tissue relaxation, and improved circulation. It can calm the mind and
spirit, as well as the body. For those suffering from muscular pain, back
pain, depression, insomnia, circulatory problems or high stress, this is an
ideal massage to receive. Hot stone massage can also be used to help
treat Multiple Sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and arthritis.
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In This Issue
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News from my office
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#my_firstname# #my_lastname#
#my_phone#
Your updates go here. You can change this every month or leave this information static.
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Vegetarian Barley Casserole with Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Pesto
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Ingredients
6 cups
vegetable broth
1/8 cup
canola oil
1 small
onion, minced
1 1/2
cups pearl barley, about 1 pound (or use Arborio rice for a gluten-free dish)
1/2 cup
dry white wine
1/4 cup
ricotta cheese
1/4 cup
(about 2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese
Basil pesto:
2 cups
fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup
pine nuts, roasted
3 garlic
cloves, finely minced
1/2 cup
grated Parmesan
1/4 cup
extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly
ground black pepper
1 cup
sun-dried tomatoes (from a jar, or if dehydrated soaked in warm water)
6 sprigs
fresh basil
For the risotto:
Bring vegetable broth to a
simmer. In a separate large saucepan on an adjacent burner, heat the oil and sauté
onion until it is translucent. Add barley (or rice) and lightly sauté to toast
the barley. Add wine and stir for about 2 minutes until it is absorbed. Begin
slowly adding broth, 1 ladle-full at a time, to the barley pan, stirring as you
go. The friction of the stirring will bring out the starch in the barley. As
the mixture absorbs the broth, ladle more into the pot. When all of the broth
has been ladled into the barley pot, slowly simmer until barley is soft and
creamy. Stir in ricotta to add creaminess, then crumble in goat cheese (to add
cohesiveness), stir, cover and set aside.
For the pesto:
Place basil in food
processor, add pine nuts and garlic, and pulse until chopped. Scrape into a
bowl, add Parmesan and stir in oil to form a thick smooth paste. Add black
pepper, to taste.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
F.
Spread half of the barley
(or rice) mixture over the bottom of a lasagna dish or large casserole. Top
with half of the sun-dried tomatoes, and then with half of the basil pesto.
Repeat for a second layer. Bake covered with foil for 25 minutes, then remove
foil and continue to bake for 5 minutes to let top layer of pesto become
toasted. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve garnished with
fresh basil sprigs.
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Take a Massage Vacation In Your Town
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You don't have to go far to escape from the everyday stressors of your
life. In fact, you need only go as far as the nearest massage table or
spa. If you are truly in need of some R&R, you might even choose to
do an overnight stay at a spa to really make the most of your time away from
reality. If you are doing so, you can still stick to a budget by choosing
fewer spa treatments, in exchange for the luxury of not having to leave the spa
after your massage or facial treatment.
There are several ways to go about finding a spa in your town, if you don't
already know of a place you like. Try asking friends and co-workers if
there is any place in particular that they would recommend. The upside of
having a personal recommendation is that you can ask questions about the spa
and hear about others' experiences there. You might also consult a list
online, especially one that allows others to review the services they have
received there.
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Guided Meditation for Relaxation
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