Trying Something New: HydroMassage

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Coco

I’m linking up this post for Tuesdays On The Run! with Run The Great Wide Somewhere, MCM Mama Runs and My No-Guilt Life, since it relates to alternative medicine for runners.

I over-estimated traffic and arrived at my chiropractor appointment 20 minutes early. (I’ll write more about my chiropractor experience later. For now I will say that the root of my troubles appears to not be my ITB.) The receptionist asked if I would like to try their hydrotherapy bed. Since I’d accidentally left my right arm iPhone at home and had no other way to kill the time, I readily agreed.

The receptionist explained that the bed is like a massaging waterbed.  She set the controls for maximum pressure (bring it!) and told me that it would run for 15 minutes after I hit “start.” The HydroMassage website explains it like this:

With HydroMassage, a powerful wave of water spans the full width of the user’s body providing a powerful, heated massage. Users enjoy total relaxation while remaining comfortable and fully clothed.

This page shows how it works.

It was a very cool experience. It felt like I was relaxing on very strong water jets that rolled up and down the entire length of my body, from my feet to my neck. It felt great on my calves, my glutes, my back, my neck–everywhere!

My session today was complementary, and I didn’t ask how much they usually charge for it, but I’m sure I will treat myself to more sessions once in a while.

Have you ever tried a hydrotherapy bed?

Are there other alternative therapies that you swear by?

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

I Want A Service Dog!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Coco

Whenever I travel internationally (which isn’t that often!) I enjoy seeing the dogs working the customs beat. I had a greater appreciation for them once we had a beagle, but I’ve always thought that they are pretty cool.

Sally

I’m also fascinated by the many different ways that dogs can be trained as service animals to help people with different needs–from physical disabilities to epilepsy. There are amazing stories of service dogs saving the lives of their people. Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Wordless Wednesday (The Disaster Waiting To Happen Edition)

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Coco

At least I measure both before I use them!

Posted in Food | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Pigeon English Book Review

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Coco

One of my non-resolution goals for 2012 is to read twelve books this year. I love to read, but reading has taken a back seat to other activities lately, be it blogging, chatting on Facebook and Twitter, or just falling asleep watching television.

I finished my first book of 2012 with a few days left in January:

Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman:

Pigeon English

I hadn’t heard about this book, but my sister-in-law gave it to me for my birthday because it has gotten good reviews (and the 2011 Man Booker Prize). It’s different from most novels that I choose for myself, but I thought it was very good.

The narrator is an eleven year old boy who recently immigrated to London from Ghana, and lives a rough-and-tumble life in an inner-city housing complex. His observations and insights made me stop and think–and appreciate the little things in my own world in a new light.

The best thing about finishing a good novel is that it leaves me anxious to start another one!

Posted in Book Reviews, Life | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Not Everything Is Beneficial

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Coco

I never was comfortable relying on my faith when I was dieting. I admire people who are motivated to treat their bodies like “God’s temple” or who draw strength from prayer, but I had enough guilt and self-esteem issues to throw sin into the diet mix. I’m sure God does want me to eat right and take care of my body, but I hope He has bigger things to worry about than how many Chips Ahoy I ate.

Still, there are a few Bible verses that always make me think about my dieting efforts whenever I read them.

There is this passage from 1 Corinthians 10: 23-31

Everything is permissible— but not everything is beneficial.
Everything is permissible— but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
for, the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
* * * * *
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Of course, the passage is talking about religious dietary rules, but it easily applies to healthy eating rules (whatever they may be).

“Everything is permissible—but not everything is beneficial” fits perfectly with my current approach to food. I can eat anything, but I know that some choices are better than others, some options are more beneficial than others, and some foods have very little redeeming value. If I decide to indulge, that’s OK, especially if make a conscious decision to enjoy myself with family and friends–that’s the closest I come to eating “for the glory of God.” 😉

These two passages help me remember what really matters when I am judging myself by the calories in my food log or the number on my scale.

In 1 Samuel 16: 7, the Lord is speaking to Samuel and says:

The LORD does not look at the things people look at.
People look at the outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at the heart.

In Luke 12:22-24, Jesus tell his disciples:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat;
or about your body, what you will wear. 
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Do you turn to prayer to help you reach your goals?

Are there any Bible verses that speak to you in this context?

Posted in Food, My Faith | Tagged , , | 10 Comments