Thump Thump Thump into a new month . . .
It’s never too late or too early to invest in your heart health. When we take care of our heart we reduce our risk of heart disease. By making ourselves a priority and putting our hearts at the top of our self-care list we will reduce our risk of heart disease. We may also inspire others to the same.
If you haven’t already then start today . . .
- Eat healthy.
- Get active in the ways you love.
- Maintain a weight that is healthy for you.
- If you smoke stop today and steer clear of secondhand smoke.
- Control your cholesterol and blood pressure. Ask for help.
- If you drink alcohol do so in moderation.
- Manage stress.
“The best, most beautiful things cannot be seen or even touched ~ they must be felt with the heart.”
Osteopathy For Heart Health
Just a Reminder . . .
Osteopathic Medicine is a beneficial treatment in the prevention and improvement of Heart Disease. A treatment involves hands-on manipulative therapy that improves cardiac lymph flow, overall circulation, and improves muscle energy. By addressing musculoskeletal imbalances, Osteopathy indirectly contributes to blood pressure regulation. All while relaxing the body, reducing muscle tension, and promoting a sense of calm. If you haven’t received Osteopathic Therapy, now is a great time start, your HEART will thank you!
PEMF ~ Another Way To Help!
BioElectroMagnetic Energy Regulation
PEMF ~ At Sparkle Health we utilize the BEMER (BioElectroMagnetic Energy Regulation) device which uses PEMF. We chose this one specifically for it’s FDA approval as a medical device for muscle stimulation as well as research articles specific to this device. Here is more information specific to the BEMER device: https://life.bemergroup.com.
The BEMER mat increases blood flow by stimulating your muscles. This increased blood flow helps promote a healthy cardiovascular system.
Infrared Sauna ~ At Sparkle Health, we utilize a Far Infrared Sauna. At a physiological level, the use of Far Infrared sauna has been shown to increase heart rate. The blood flow in the peripheral tissue (tissue closest to our skin) increases to allow greater heat exchange through the skin. Our blood pressure (specifically the bottom number or diastolic) will drop and our metabolic rate (the number of calories we burn) increases.
Circulatory Massage
February is Heart Health Awareness Month!
Gina Toce, LMT
Normal, optimum blood flow is important for our whole body. As a massage therapist, many of the techniques that I use have a direct effect on the circulatory system. Because February is Heart Awareness month, at Sparkle we are kicking off a new offering – a special massage technique to support your Circulatory system, Circulatory Massage!
Who can benefit from this treatment? Honestly, everyone! This massage technique can support blood pressure variations (either high or low), varicosities, headaches, Raynaud’s disease, stress and anxiety, and other circulatory disorders. Improving your blood flow can even help with hemorrhoids! There . . .
Who can benefit from this treatment? Honestly, everyone! This massage technique can support blood pressure variations (either high or low), varicosities, headaches, Raynaud’s disease, stress and anxiety, and other circulatory disorders. Improving your blood flow can even help with hemorrhoids! There . . .
Crunchy Thai Morning Salad
Recipe from Andrea Mayhew, Health Coach
INGREDIENTS
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
- Juice of 2 limes or lemons – whatever you have (can substitute 1 TBSP rice vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons lime zest or lemon zest – whatever you have on hand
- 2 tablespoons . . .
Grounding Miso Soup
Recipe from Gina Toce, LMT
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes+ | Yield: 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
• 4 cups mushroom broth, bone broth, or water
• 6 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 stalks of celery, sliced
• 1 Tbsp ginger root, cut into matchsticks
• 2 Tbsp avocado oil or ghee
• 2 Tbsp tamari (or soy sauce)
• ½ package of tempeh or 1 o
Dairy-Free Chocolate Latte
Recipe from Gina Toce, LMT
Morning Delight!
Total time: 5 min | Yield: 1 large or 2 small servings
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups hot water
- 2 Tbsp raw cacao powder
- 2 Tbsp hemp seeds
- 1–2 Tsp raw honey . . .
Special Days In February
Mark Your Calendars
February 1 – National Baked Alaska Day, National Dark Chocolate Day, National Freedom Day, National Serpent Day
February 2 – Groundhog Day, National Wear Red Day (1st Fri. of year, wear red for heart disease awareness)
February 3 – National Golden Retriever Day, National Carrot Cake Day, National Women Physicians Day, Optimist Day
February 4 – National Homemade Soup Day, National Thank a Mail Carrier Day
February 6 – National Chopsticks Day, National Frozen Yogurt Day
February 7 – National Send a Card to a Friend Day, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, World Read Aloud Day
February 10 – Lunar New Year, National Umbrella Day
February 11 – Superbowl Sunday, National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day, National Make a Friend Day, National Inventors’ Day, World Marriage Day
February 13 – Galentine’s Day, Global Movie Day, World Radio Day
February 14 – Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday, National Organ Donor Day, National Ferris Wheel Day
February 15 – Susan B Anthony Day
February 16 – National Almond Day, National Do A Grouch a Favor Day, No One Eats Alone Day, National Caregivers Day
February 17 – National Random Acts of Kindness Day, National Cabbage Day
February 18 – National Drink Wine Day
February 19 – President’s Day
February 20 – National Love Your Pet Day, National Comfy Day, World Day of Social Justice
February 22 – National Cook a Sweet Potato Day, National Chili Day
February 23 – National Banana Bread Day
February 24 – National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 – National Chocolate Covered Nut Day, National Clam Chowder Day
February 26 – National Tell a Fairy Tale Day, National Pistachio Day
February 27 – National Strawberry Day, National Polar Bear Day, World Spay Day
February 28 – National Chocolate Soufflé Day, National Tooth Fairy Day
February 29 – Leap Day, National Time Refund Day
February Weekly Observances
Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week (Feb. 4-10)
Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week (Feb. 7-14)
National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14)
National Flirting Week (Feb. 11-17)
Freelance Writers Appreciation Week (Feb. 11-17)
Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 14-20)
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
(Feb. 26-Mar. 1)
(Feb. 26-Mar. 1)
February Monthly Observances
Black History Month
American Heart Month
Great American Pie Month
National Bird Feeding Month
National Cherry Month
National Grapefruit Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
National Self Check Month
National Hot Breakfast Month
National Library Lover’s Month
National Embroidery Month
National Weddings Month
