Repetitive Injuries Awareness Day (holiday!)

Repetitive Strain Injuries Awareness Day - The Last Day in February.

Repetitive strain injuries are the damage that we cause ourselves by doing the same activity over and over again. Typing and moving a mouse around can cause carpal tunnel syndrome - a type of repetitive injury. But any motion that you do over and over again without a break can result in physical injury - that could mean office work, bending, lifting, swinging a hammer, operating a piece of machinery - even walking! But there are some steps you can take to prevent repetitive strain injuries - and that's what this holiday is all about.

Is your workspace laid out ergonomically? You should be able to sit with your feet flat on the floor, thighs are parallel to the floor and back is supported. Your neck should be straight, arms held in a comfortable position and nothing should hurt.

Take a few minutes every once in a while to stretch. Walk around, flex your wrists, circle your neck, roll your shoulders, touch your toes - work out the kinks. Make it a habit to include lots of different motion in your day to avoid injury.

Pay attention to your body, and rest when you need to. Any kind of work can lead to exhaustion, then strain and injury - even sitting at a desk. Don't wait until you are hurt to take  a time out- build regular breaks into your day.

 

Worthy Cause

We all have our pet charities and will give to most, however some are near and dear to our heart. Even in these tough times, Americans have shown their heart, their gratitude and willingness to help by opening their wallet or checkbook. Here are a few upcoming events I wanted to share with you. MS has touched the lives of a few of my friends and I like to support them as I am able. You will see later on, one of my other favorite charities is the American Cancer Society and I am also a wish granter with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

I love volunteering my time or resources as I am able.

I am thankful we live in a country where we can do this.

Thank you!

March 3 - Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS), Mid Florida chapter, National MS Awareness Week, March 2-8, 2009, Kick-off, Tuesday March 3, Noon-1 pm, Wall Street Plaza, downtown Orlando, Join the Mid Florida Chapter, Mayor Buddy Dyer, and Johnny and Jayde from XL 106.7 and get ready to move it closer to  a world free of MS.

For more info, call 407-478-8882 or http://flc.nationalmssociety.org

March 5

Winter Springs WineStyles Benefit for MS

Thursday Marc 5, 7-10 pm, 1196 Tree Swallow Dr, Ste. 1314, Winter Springs, FL 32708, wine tasting, finger foods, musical entertainment, giveaways and silent auction. $20 pp in advance or $25 at door. Wine club members $15,/$20. RSVP requested, but not required. For reservations or more info: 407-327-2378.

Crabbing on the Coast of Georgia

A delicate and balanced system, beautiful and precious are the barrier islands of Georgia. More than one-third of the coast of North America is bordered by barrier islands. Along the Atlantic there are more than 300 barrier islands, from Maine to Texas (more than 18 states). Between 75 and 95 percent of all marine species are dependent upon these estuaries that are formed behind the barrier islands. They allow marshes to build up in the quiet waters of the sound. These marshes filter pollutants that come from the mainland rivers and when the marsh grasses die they create detritus, a valuable food source for small marine organisms. Many commercial, industrial and recreational activities in the estuary are vital to the economy of Georgia. Georgia receives $3.5 billion annually directly or indirectly from coastal shipping ports. Each year Georgia Shrimpers catch 4 million pounds of white shrimp, totaling $16 million and 17 million pounds of fish and shellfish, totaling $25 million. Sixty-five million dollars is added to the economy of Georgia by fisheries. 

I love watching men fish (and women). It's mostly serene at times, unless you happen to be on  a large vessel out at sea when they start hauling in the "big ones". Recently I was given a lesson in "crabbing". I'd seen the markers of crab traps from Louisiana to Georgia and often wondered about the crabbing lifestyle. A very competitive field as well. Interestingly enough the blue crab prefers both the brackish water inshore as well as the high-salinity ocean waters to complete its life cycle. 

www.privateislandsofgeorgia.com

Sasha Cohen, Olympic Skater

Sasha Cohen earned the Silver Medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics. Is she going to compete again in 2010? She says she will make that decision later this year. Qualifications for the 2010 Winter Olympics will begin in January of 2010. Her training regimen right now is hectic. From September through May she does shows (i.e. Smucker's On Ice, coming to Orlando in Feb.), she is busy touring. I spoke with Sasha just after she returned to the states from a whirlwind tour abroad. 

When she is preparing for the Olympics she sets aside blocks of time, when she is at home, is more focused and has more intensity on the ice. Sasha performs in about three to five competitions per year. While in training she will skate for three hours then does various training off the ice as well including cardio. She also enjoys yoga, pilates, going to the gym, swimming, running and biking, which she can do year round, as she lives in Newport Beach, CA. 

She admits her inspiration and motivation comes and goes but it takes balance. She has patience for what she loves to do and follows her heart. Lance Armstrong has been a great inspiration to Sasha, she readily admits. "What he did, and how he did it is unbelievable." 

She also admits that staying injury free is a challenge, you also need to know how to pace yourself. "You don't want to be lazy and you don't want to burn yourself out."

GATOR NATION!

Once Again, we prove it is a Gator Nation! The University of Florida, Gators, have won their 3rd National Championship. 24-14. The third BCS national Championship for Florida, 2nd one under Meyers. Tim Tebow, QB, the most decorated College football player,the heart and soul, consistently and continuously demonstrates his phenomenal leadership qualities as well as athletic prowess and skills. Dedication pays off! It was an emotional game for Head Coach Urban Meyers, Tim Tebow and the Gator team and coaches. Defenses were beating each other teams. Didn't overlook offenses. 

"Our teammates kept fighting all four quarters. We play for each other," said Tebow.

According to Coach Urban Meyers, "Turnovers were the game. Our guys played really hard and they are the best!"

Fruit Fights Belly Fat

Belly fat can hurt your health. A waistline larger than 35 inches can raise your risk of metabolic syndrome-a combo of high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high cholesterol and high blood sugar-that can up your chances of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Try an apple a day - people who eat apples significantly reduce their risks. A recent study by the NHANES found that apple eaters have smaller waistlines with less belly fat, lower blood pressure and a 27 percent lower chance of being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. They also had significantly reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) levels; high CRP is linked to heart disease.

Chop apples and add them to chicken salad, saute apples for a side dish, subsittue applesauce for half the oil or butter when baking. Just a few suggestions for getting more apples in your diet.

REV Up, Rejuvenate Your Body

For most athletes I believe we all try different products to help us relax, rejuvenate or REV up to give us energy. I've recently been trying a new product, REV-Trainer's Epsom Salt. I have a teenage daughter who tends to have accidents (frequently; sprained ankles, wrists, etc.) so I thought I'd let her try it out first, since most of what I've been doing has been yoga, or some walking and mild cardio (up until the New Year). She re-injured her ankle, so I asked her to soak it in the foot bath or the bathtub with REV Epsom Salt. She did and said her ankle was feeling better. I've kept the container on my tub thinking I would finally use it. And I have. I went kayaking a few weeks ago and was sore when I came home, so I thought, why not try this REV's Trainers formula and see if it does make a difference. The first night I felt relief, was sore, as to be expected and the next day I was busy with other activities around the house, so naturally I was still giving my muscles a workout, so I gave it another soak. REV Epsom Salt comes from the earth, a natural healing agent, not created in a chemical laboratory. REV's special formula is a combination of magnesium and sulphate, essential oils such as geranium, rosemary, spearmint and eucalyptus, selected for their stimulating and healing properties. REV has helped the body recover from tough workouts by alleviating muscle aches and pains and soothing overworked feet. This can be done in as little as 15 minutes. 

Endurance and performance athletes will appreciate this quick fix for the grueling regimens that put extraordinary stress on muscles, tendons, skin, joints and bones of the human body. So if you have muscle cramps, inflammation and minor sprains. REV Trainer ingredients are known to circulate oxygen, deliver antioxidants, regulate enzymes, control nerve functions, flush toxins, form joint proteins and support insulin production. (You be the judge.) REV Trainer Epsom formula can be found at CVS (drugstores in US), or visit their website at www.rev-life.com They have other products available. 

So far I've noticed some improvement, both physically (relieving my sore muscles, aches and pains) and mentally. I've also felt a little energy when I get out of the tub. Something of a little caffeine or energy boost. Just enough so you don't feel drained and sore.

Maybe REV can help with my mental clarity, being focused and calm... who couldn't use that.