May is here and spring has sprung. Let’s start with a sweet poem by Emily Dickinson ~ May-Flower. Focusing on the bold and beautiful details that connect us all and swearing off the past by drawing attention to the temporary nature of life.
Allergy Season
‘Tis the season….season for allergies! (It is for me anyway) Anyone else? Some days, I swear, the pressure behind my sinuses is so bad, I just want to rip my face off!
So why am I, a massage therapist, writing to you about allergies? It’s simple, massages can help!
Did you know that one of the biggest benefits of massage is that it helps increase your blood circulation? It sure does. With that increase in blood circulation, it gives relief for migraines and sinus headaches. And specifically with Lymphatic Massage, my intent is to break up any blockages and your lymphatic fluid is encouraged to move along its intended pathways. This helps your lymphatic system do its job, unassisted. What is one of the primary jobs of your Lymphatic system? If you are shouting out that it supports your immune system, you would be right!
And let’s not forget our muscles! I don’t know about you, but when I am coughing and sneezing, my muscles get pulled all over the place, and at the height of my body’s allergy response, ultimately I end up with some muscle pain from all the coughing and sneezing. (oh so much coughing and sneezing!) With the Massage techniques and tools offered here at Sparkle Health (Swedish, Neuromuscular, Cupping, HimalayanSaltStones), those sore muscles do not stand a chance!
But my “big guns” when it comes to fighting off seasonal allergies is Lymphatic Massage.
SPOILER ALERT: You can use some self-care tools to help! These are so quick and easy, I am happy to show you how to do the Massage at home so you can have this relief literally at your fingertips.
Every morning, I do a little self lymphatic massage in the shower to ease my sinus pain. Between the hot steam from the shower and the Lymphatic Massage on my face, I feel like a new person. Then I use my NetiPot. Does anyone else use one of these? I absolutely love mine and can not imagine getting through allergy season without it! Over the last few weeks, just about every person that has been in to see me has asked me to add it to their massage, and I am so happy to oblige! The relief is immediate. Once I finish up, I am ready to start my day!
The Far Infrared Sauna and the PEMF that we have here at Sparkle have also been very helpful for me these last few weeks. Great for the Immune system and for Circulation – YES PLEASE! It helps keep me smiling and happy! Great tools that are offered to our members, if you have not tried it out yet, please call the office and schedule a trial. So many ways they can help support you and your health goals. These 2 solutions have been a key part of my life over the last few weeks.
READ MORE (https://sparklehealthnh.com/seasonal-allergies/)
I also diffuse a specific blend of essential oils, Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint. I do not know what it is about that blend, but it is magical ~ especially during this time of year. If you have been to Sparkle Health in the last few weeks, I am sure you got a whiff ~ I have been diffusing it in the Massage room 24/7! If you haven’t been in, give us a call and schedule 30 minutes with me so you can experience some of these tools for yourself.
You’re worth it. ~ Gina
Shrimp & Fiddlehead Scampi for Two
There is a two-to-three-week window in which fiddleheads can be harvested from late April into early June. Typically, in New Hampshire, you should start foraging now.
Note: You can also find Fiddleheads at grocery stores and farmer’s markets.
If you plan to forage, please do your research first to assure you are picking edible
Fiddleheads and not a look-a-like plant that may not be edible. You will also find information
on how to clean them, how long to cook them, and not eating them raw.
How Do I Pick Fiddleheads?
Best to pick them before they unfurl, when they’re about one to four inches in height. Simply pinch and snap the stem about a half-inch to an inch from the coiled head. Look tightly wound fiddleheads and brush away leaves and twigs to take a closer look before picking.
Hint: Find Fiddleheads in cool damp areas of the forest, emerging before the tree canopy develops.
Fiddleheads are rich in potassium, iron, antioxidants, & omega-3 fatty acids. In other words, Fiddleheads are fantastically healthy! So venture out, enjoy nature and bring home dinner.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 pound fiddleheads (trimmed & well cleaned)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 leeks/ramps (sliced thin)
- 3 cloves of garlic (chopped small)
- 1/2 pound shrimp (shelled & deveined)
- 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
- 1 lemon (juice & zest)
- 1/2 pound linguine (cooked)
Or choose a gluten-free pasta option ~ try pasta made with artichoke flour, zucchini noodles, or a bed of sliced sautéed summers squash - 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped, optional)
- 1 pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Parmigiano Reggiano to taste (grated, optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook fiddleheads in boiling water for 4 minutes, drain & set aside.
2. Heat olive oil & melt the butter in a large pan.
3. Add chili flakes, leeks, and garlic & sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add the fiddleheads & shrimp, sauté until the fiddleheads are bright green & shrimp is cooked pink, about 1-3 minutes per side & set aside.
5. Add the wine & lemon juice & deglaze the pan.
6. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by half (about 3-5 minutes).
7. Add fiddleheads, shrimp, pasta, & parsley & toss to coat.
8. Finish with Parmigiano Reggiano & salt & pepper to taste
MORE RECIPES (https://sparklehealthnh.com/recipes/)
Special Days In May
Sunday, May 1 ~ May Day, Global Love Day, World Laughter Day, World Lyme Day
Monday, May 2 ~ National Brothers and Sisters Day
Tuesday, May 3 ~ National Teacher Day, World Asthma Day
Thursday, May 5 ~ Cinco de Mayo, African World Heritage Day
Friday, May 6 ~ National Nurses Day, National Provider Day
Saturday, May 7 ~ Join Hands Day, National Fitness Day
Sunday, May 8 ~ Mother’s Day, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
Monday, May 9 ~ National Women’s Checkup Day
Tuesday, May 10 ~ World Lupus Day, National Lipid Day
Thursday, May 12 ~ International Nurses Day, National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
Friday, May 13 ~ National Apple Pie Day, International Hummus Day
Sunday, May 15 ~ International Day of Families
Monday, May 16 ~ International Day of Light, National Day of Living Together in Peace
Tuesday, May 17 ~ World Hypertension Day
Wednesday, May 18 ~ National Visit Your Relatives Day
Friday, May 20 ~ National Rescue Dog Day, World Bee Day, Bike to Work Day
Saturday, May 21 ~ World Day for Cultural Diversity
Tuesday, May 24 ~ National Brother’s Day, World Schizophrenia Day
Wednesday, May 25 ~ National Sing Out Day, National Senior Health and Fitness Day
Friday, May 27 ~ National Road Trip Day
Saturday, May 28 ~ World Blood Cancer Day
Sun., May 29 ~ Learn About Composting Day, Int. Day United Nations Peacekeepers
Monday, May 30 ~ Memorial Day, National Creativity Day, World MS Day
Tuesday, May 31 ~ World No Tobacco Day, National Smile Day
