The Hidden Benefits of Massage

I didn't realize how many knots I had until my Megan began working her magic. One after another she attempted to release the tension that was binding my neck, shoulders, and back. Lucky for me, the chronic pain that I used to experience on a daily basis is a thing of the past. However, that doesn't excuse me from feeling the negative effects of my neck surgery every now and then when I've spent too much time on the computer and no time exercising.

While I may have a heightened awareness about my body most of the time, this massage made me realize that there are underlying issues that I am completely clueless about as well. Our bodies are capable of enduring all sorts of physical challenges, and it has the capability to heal itself in ways that many don't fully comprehend. That's why it's important to seek out ways to help nurture ourselves and our bodies, so that they can perform to the best of their abilities.

The majority of the public believes that getting a massage is only something you do to pamper yourself, or treat yourself to on special occasions. And the advertising we see on TV and in other ads (magazines, newspapers, etc.) reinforces that fallacy even further. The reality is that massage should be treated as much more than a mere indulgence. You might be surprised to hear this, but regular massage is actually part of a healthy lifestyle.

Not only is it a soothing way to reduce stress, pain, stiffness and soreness, but it also has a myriad of other benefits to be aware of as well. It's too bad that most health insurance coverage doesn't include these beneficial treatments. However, that doesn't stop medical practitioners from prescribing this to their patients anyway. Research suggests that massage can relieve insomnia, control blood pressure, manage anxiety & depression, boost immunity, improve circulation, and promote joint flexibility to name a few of the positive effects experienced as a result of a professional rub down. Megan was extremely mindful of my comfort levels and did a wonderful job of lessening the tension in my neck and back. I'm ready to go back in for another treatment already! 

I felt like a new person after my massage therapy session. Overall, the experience I had was soothing and relaxing. Little did I realize at the time that I booked the appointment that I was in such need of her services. It didn't take me long to see that it's something that I need to do more often as a way to continue on my path to happy healing. If you ask me, it's something we should all do! Some of you might be thinking about how costly massages can be, and sometimes they are, but maybe you're looking in the wrong place?! For instance, upscale spas here in Boone, NC (in most cases) charge significantly more than the rates Megan charges at the salon. It doesn't hurt to shop around to ensure you're getting a price you can comfortably afford. This may not be something that I could do weekly, but I definitely plan to get treatments at least monthly.

Megan Ward is a licensed massage therapist here in Boone, NC, who recently opened her new business, Every Body Massage & Bodywork Therapy, in the Shear Shakti Salon located in downtown Boone. Her Therapeutic Integrative Massage technique incorporates Trigger Point Release, Swedish massage, & Deep Tissue work. It's apparent that she loves and enjoys this type of work, and that energy comes across in the way that she moves and manipulates your body. I felt so at peace that I nearly fell asleep during our session!

To the lucky few who read my blog that live in (or around) my hometown, Megan has offered one complimentary 60-minute massage as a giveaway! How awesome is that?!? If you'd like to be considered for this random drawing, please leave a comment here or on the WW Facebook page answering this question:

“Have you had the opportunity to experience a massage from a licensed professional? If so, what was your experience and how has it helped you?” 

Even if you aren't eligible for the giveaway, I'd still love to hear your responses! For those who can enter, if you'd like to receive an extra entry, head on over to the Shear Shakti Facebook profile and become a friend. Just leave a comment here once you've done so.

Related Links:

• Every Body Massage & Body Work Therapy (Megan's Website)
• Shear Shakti Salon | Boone, NC (Website)

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Winner Announcement: Celebrating Spring with Shutterfly {Giveaway}

 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the “Celebrating Spring Shutterfly Giveaway”. Many of you shared how you plan to celebrate spring and I hope that you've been doing just that! The weather here in the High Country has been up and down, but overall it's been wonderful.

Well, I know you've been patient enough, so without further ado, the randomly selected winner of the Shutterfly giveaway is...

Katrina from Wakeboarding Mama who said, “I will be spending spring by the pool and the beach on the weekends with my daughter and husband!”. Well, Katrina, that sounds like a lot of fun. I hope that this news helps to brighten your day too! Again, thank you all for participating in the “Celebrating Spring Shutterfly Giveaway”!

The next big giveaway will offer foodie photographers a chance to WIN a Sony Cybershot WX9 point & shoot camera courtesy of Sony Electronics. The official announcement and giveaway details will be posted on June 9^th, so mark you calendar! Until then, you should practice taking food photos...hint...hint! 

Interested in finding out more about the WX9? 

Check out this post: 10 Reason Why you Want to WIN a Sony WX9

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Food Vendors @ Trail Days | Damascus, VA

You'd think from all the pictures of food I post that Cody and I have the worst diets on the planet. Sad to say, but to some extent, we do. I'm sure it doesn't come as a surprise that we indulge a lot more often than we probably should with foods that are greasy, fattening, and generally unhealthy, but I can't help it. They're soooooooo good! (If you stay until the end of this post, I will tell you how this is going to change.)

In a recent post, I shared with you how we spent our day in Damascus, Virginia for the annual Trail Days event that brings hikers of the AT together from all over the country for a reunion. During this 25th anniversary celebration, this small town is bombarded with backpackers taking a break from (or just finishing) the trail.

Even though we weren't hikers coming off the trail, we arrived super hungry and ready to grub. The smells wafting through the tents made our hunger had to ignore, so we headed straight for the food. We walked around to see what was cooking and after scanning over a dozen or so vendors, we ended up going to the place with the longest line. You know the place with the longest line has the best food, right?!

This food vendor was one we've had the pleasure of trying before, so we know it's good stuff. Outback Kate's had one of the largest menus of any other vendor. They had everything from burritos to veggie plates to alligator bites on hand. Cody and I ended up getting the chicken-on-a-stick ($6) after waiting in line a good 10 minutes. The chicken-on-a-stick was no where near as flavorful as the sauce coating it was, the inside was a little bland. While waiting in yet another line to get a sweet tea, we ended up scarfing the whole thing before it was our turn at the window, so it wasn't too bad!

Still in a munchie mood after the chicken-on-a-stick, I wanted to get something else to go along with that. I mean, we did share it! We contemplated a bloomin' onion ($7), but because Cody was not feeling as hungry as I was, we ended up just going with a little basket of chili cheese fries ($3) instead—it was much cheaper, too. 

For dessert (as if we needed it), a bourbon bacon brownie I got while waiting in line at Outback Kate's was beckoning for us to give it a taste. The brownie was rich and chocolately with bourbon soaked walnuts the size of a knuckle and slivers of bacon sprinkled throughout. I could hardly taste the bourbon flavoring because it was too subtle and the bites of bacon were thicker (and longer) than I expected. I'm wondering if the bacon would have blended better if they chopped it up a little finer, so that you didn't have bites with such large pieces. Either way, it was an interesting combination that I couldn't resist trying. 

Cody couldn't believe that I still wanted to eat after sharing chicken-on-a-stick, chili cheese fries, and ½ of a bourbon bacon brownie, but I used some restraint, and we decided to venture to the outdoor gear vendors to see what they had to share and/or sell. One table that we stopped at was the PRIMAL tent where they were issuing samples of their strips. (Yay! More food!)

Think of something similar to beef jerky without the beef and other fillers they manage to mix in. The Primal strips have no preservatives, no artificial colors, they are safe for vegans, are gluten-free, and all natural to name a few selling points. I've tried them before, and they are available in a local grocery store here in Boone called Earthfare, but that still didn't stop me from sampling them again. The strips have an interesting texture, not too hard and chewy, and the flavors they have like Thai Peanut, Teriyaki, and Hot & Spicy are delicious. I'd like to pick some up the next time we go backpacking or camping for a hardy snack. Give them a try, they might be available in a grocery store near you!

If you'd like to see/read more about Appalachian Trail Days, check out the overview I posted of the event, here.

Now that I have removed all doubt about our seemingly unhealthy diets, I would like to reveal that we will soon be altering our eating habits in a really dramatic way. At the beginning of June our weekly CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares will begin, which means tons of fresh veggies from our favorite farmers. The Farmer's Market has started back up, too, which will also inspire us to eat healthier by providing a plethora of fruits and veggies. With our new diets, we will cut out sugar and processed foods. This isn't going to be easy, especially for us, but we are making a commitment to improve our diets once and for all!

How does your household maintain healthy eating habits?

 Please share in the comments!

Related Links:

• Trail Days (2011)
• Trail Days (2009)
• My Favorite Food Vendors @ Shakori Hills
• Connect with Wayfaring Wanderer on Facebook (see images not featured here)

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