Epsom Baths

This past weekend we finished our chicken coop.  While the tale of that adventure belongs on our homeschooling blog, or the microfarm blog we have yet to start, the self-care I need to do because of it belongs here.

So, what do you do when you've installed nearly 1,000 staples with a $10 staple gun, contorted your torso in positions only seen in Cirque du Soleil, knelt too long, and used a circular saw with improper body mechanics one too many times?  You soak.

Preferably in a deep tub with some epsom salts.  However, if you're like me and feel that it is too much effort to clear off the garden tub, clean it from lack of use, and wait forever for it to fill decently since its design is poorly executed, you can opt for a regular tub with epsoms.  Now, if the regular tub requires too much effort to scour because you haven't been keeping on your children about their non-daily chores, you can opt for the glorious footbath.  A little wash tub (or dish pan), a little water, a little epsom salts--you can be doing your body some good while reading, paying bills, feeding the baby, watching tv, facebooking, playing sudoku, instructing your children, or blogging.  Less effort, less water, less clean-up, less hassle.

And if you're willing to put forth the effort to carry it out there, you could even water part of your garden with it once you're done!

I discuss footbaths further in my Basic Self-Care workshops.

-JS

The Piedmont Farm Tour

After you visit me at the Burlington Downtown Farmers' Market this Saturday, you should swing by a few of the farms on the Piedmont Farm Tour hosted by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association!  There's 40 stops available this year, and it's been noted as the largest tour of sustainable farms in the United States.

An excellent opportunity to pause for some real food!

Savings! Buy 10, Get 1 Free

This market season, for every ten 5-minute chair massages you pay for you'll get one free.  Prefer 10-minute sessions (or more)?  You'll earn that free 5-minutes even faster!  Valid at either market.  Your progress is documented on the back of my business cards.

Just a little FYI--Burlington Farmers' & Crafters' Market is 22 weeks long this year.  That means you can get a 5-minute massage every week and receive two free by the end of market!

Pause for Market Season!

I'll be at two farmers' markets this year!

The Burlington Downtown Farmers' Market is occurring in the parking lot between Company Shops Market and Webb Avenue.  They're gathering Saturday mornings, 8a-12p, April 28th through October.  They're on Facebook and Twitter.

The Burlington Farmer's & Crafters' Market happens Sunday afternoons, 1p-5p, May through September.  They will be in the old Hanes storefront, next to Kitchen Collection, at Burlington Outlet Village (formerly BMOC).  They're on Facebook.

I have a Buy 10, Get 1 Free special occurring this year.

Edited 5/5/2012 to correct storefront location for the Sunday afternoon market at BOV.

Pause for a spot of gratitude

Expressing gratitude is good for the heart and the soul--and I must express some gratitude!

In May 2008 our family had a run-in with a hatchling snapping turtle.  In June 2008 the article I wrote about that incident was published in the inaugural edition of the short-lived Crunchy Carolina e-zine.  I have to admit that I have a sense of pride regarding that article, though I can not give any specific reasons why.  In 2009 I allowed AlamanceMommies.com to publish it in one of their monthly newsletters.

To shorten a longer story, I discovered this week that my article was published on a number of The Mommies Network chapter blogs across the nation but it was only credited as having originally appeared at AlamanceMommies.  No author or byline. I was fully aware that it could appear in other chapters, and I am happy to allow TMN to utilize my article, but it's nice to have your work also have your name attached to it.  When I queried how to resolve this I was contacted by Noel.

I feel a need to bake this fabulous woman a pan of brownies or some decadent treat!  Through our email conversations regarding this over the last two days she has only been gracious, courteous, and kind.  And tonight, when I once again Googled for my article, my heart puddled a bit.  The blog team did an awesome job with its presentation, and the pics they posted with it are incredibly sweet.

My sincere thanks and gratitude to Noel and the other volunteers for their efforts and consideration! 

 

-JS

Pause for Real Food

Food has been a challenge in my household lately.  We have a number of food reactions to work around, a budget to work within, and life to navigate through. So it's feeling pretty providential that 100 Days of Real Food was mentioned at a recent playdate.  The timing was spot-on as we're working towards a more wholesome and self-sufficient lifestyle; even the kids are studying farm-to-table.

While Mrs. Leake's family did a 100-day pledge, a 100-day pledge with a defined budget, provide an opportunity for a 10-day pledge, and also 100-days of mini-pledges--we're going to be doing our own variation of a Real Food quest during this market season, one week at a time.  Perhaps it will set us up for next season's Dark Days Challenge.

This week's goals: soda-free afternoons and taking snacks or meals with for us for outings (to prevent a desperate drive-thru dash).

-JS

Pause for a spot of information

Life is busy and in constant motion.  Sometimes it's important to pause for a moment.  Pause to sit.  Pause to meditate.  Pause to breathe.  Pause for a bite to eat.  Pause for a bit of hydration.  Pause for a spot of massage.  We all need to pause what we are doing and tend to us, and our families.

I'm hoping to reflect on such things in this blog, as well as events pertaining to my massage therapy practice.  If you've been a client of mine for any length of time you have undoubtedly heard me say that I'm only passing on information, not judgement.  I have my own struggles with doing those things we all know we ought to do--eating a balanced diet, drinking sufficient clean water, being outside, getting an adequate amount of rest and exercise, utilizing self-care practices like stretching and foam or tennis-ball rolling, etc.   Society is going at a break-neck speed--take a moment to pause and catch your breath.

-JS

Thai Foot Massage

A recent addition to my repertoire, this fantastic modality is performed on the table with the client in comfortable clothing that can be rolled just above the knee.  Incorporating acupressure and Thai massage techniques, this massage focuses on feet-to-knees but leaves most feeling like they've enjoyed a full-body massage.  Available as outcall only; 60-minutes (includes preliminary footbath).