Where did our summer go? Seems like we are in the fall already! While I won’t complain about the mild weather, I remember that years ago it stayed hot through the first couple of weeks in September. We called it “Indian Summer, but it seems we don’t get that anymore.
I spent the weekend helping my young cousin Remy Anne move into her new student apartment in Boston. She will be taking courses at Northeastern University (my Alma Mater). Time passes very quickly these days. It seems like only yesterday when she arrived in Boston with her folks for the first time, ready to begin studying dance at Boston Ballet!
Now I get prime seats along with her parents to watch her perform on the stage, which is
Very cool!
#~#~#
After one of her performances at the Boston Ballet, I noticed my cousin Remy had this long plastic cylinder under her arm. When I asked her what it was, she told me it was a “foam roller.”
I know what they are, in fact I have one myself, but her’s was hollow unlike my own. I hadn’t seen the newer ones so it kinda threw me off a bit. Anyway…seeing her reminded me that I needed to use mine more often. Foam rollers are cylinders made of hard plastic foam that you literately roll over to loosen tight muscles.
For those of you who cannot afford frequent massage therapy treatments, foam roller can be just the thing to keep you more flexible and supple. You can get them online and they are relatively cheap.
I would recommend them highly as one of the most cost effective therapies available to the average person. The link below is to the model that I bought, and one I found works really well for me.
http://www.age-better.info/foam-roller
Nothing special about this one, pretty plain, but as I say relatively inexpensive for the benefits you can get from it. You don’t have to purchase any particular model, just so long as it is hard foam.
There are newer designs with knobs and protrusions on the surface. I can’t say whether these are better, because I have never used them, but they might be worth a shot. The idea is to put pressure on the tender areas because those are where the adhesions in the muscle are.
Adhesions are the result of scar tissue from what we call “micro traumas.” These are little tears in the muscle that when they heal, they often adhere to what’s called the “fascia.” Fascia is the protective sleeve or sheath around your muscles.
The muscles need to move smoothly beneath the fascia, and if they don’t because if these adhesions, then you get pain and restriction of movement. The foam roller tends to break up this scar tissue and free the adhesions, thus making you more supple.
You just basically get on the floor with the muscle you want to work resting on the foam roller. You roll over the roller until you find a spot that really hurts when you roll over it. At that point you just keep rolling back and forth across that sore spot until the pain subsides. When the pain subsides, that would be an indication that the adhesion has been freed.
Please keep in mind that this is NOT a substitute for proper medical care! If you have acute (really sharp) pain in an area that does not go away, your safest bet is to see a doctor, such as an orthopedic practitioner. They can either confirm or rule out anything serious.
The foam roller is really for long term stiffness or tenderness in an area that is the result of accumulated micro trauma from sports or exercise that happens over time. As far as learning HOW to use the foam roller, go to Youtube and search on foam roller, or foam roller exercise and you can choose any one of a number of instructional video clips.
Use of a foam roller is one of THE BEST things you can do to feel more flexible, supple, and lose that constant tightness that you may be feeling as a result of age, exercise, or trauma!
Here is the Amazon link again: http://www.age-better.info/foam-roller
Happy rolling!
#~#~#
For my money, Tori Amos is one of THE most electrifying performers in popular music. Her vocal performances are always captivating. I think for many people, including myself, her music is an acquired taste, but well worth trying.
Combine her darkly beautiful piano playing with the wonderful backing of the Metropole Orchestra of Amsterdam Holland and you have one truly magical performance as this Youtube video will attest!
The song is “Winter Winter”
Enjoy…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvUlPozYhg8
This concert was apparently videotaped in Rotterdam Netherlands. There’s a whole lot of wonderful pop music being made all over the world, not just in the USA.
#~#~#
This newsletter is read by people all over the world, so if you have something that you would like me to share such as music from your country or culture with the other readers, please let me know.
#~#~#
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
Audrey Hepburn
Age Better Newsletter #10 – Two New Weapons to Fight Winter Colds and Infections
———————————————————————————————————–
Age Better Newsletter – Issue #10 – December 20th, 2012
Published by George Parigian Jr. for Opted-in Subscribers
———————————————————————————————————–
Hi,
This holiday season has really been dampened by the terrible tragedy that unfolded in Connecticut. I can’t fathom somebody doing such terrible things to innocent children. The only consolation is that we will be determined find a way to prevent these things from happening in the future! My heart goes out to the families of the children and teachers.
Yet there is still so much good in the world, and there are people everywhere who act with kindness and compassion toward others. A recent phone conversation with my sister confirmed this fact.
She told me that my nephew Andrew, who is a police office was going on a trip to Virginia, and when I asked why, she told me that he and a group of officers from Massachusetts were going to visit a young boy with terminal brain cancer.
http://bostinno.com/2012/12/19/cards-for-nathan-burlington-police-deliver-cards/
This youngster had dreamed of becoming a police officer when he grew up, and sadly he will not likely get that chance. His wish was to be visited by police officers and they are going down there to comfort and honor him.
They will make him an honorary police officer, give him a badge with his name on it, and present the family with donations they have collected. I have never been prouder of my nephew, who has matured into a caring and compassionate man.
#~#~#
I have a couple of suggestions for protecting yourself from colds and flu during the winter months. I use these items myself as needed. All these things are natural, safe, and I have found them very effective.
Liposomal vitamin-c: This is vitamin-c bound to a fat molecule (hence the name liposomal) which makes it much more bio-available to your body and easily absorbed. It’s supposed to be as effective as inter-venous vitamin-c, which is pretty darn impressive.
It is currently being researched as a potential form of treatment for cancer and has shown some impressive results by enhancing immunityand detoxifying cells.
The link below is to a PubMed reference to the study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21845505
The smaller the liposomes (particles of encapsulated vitamin-c) the better absorbed they are. The “lipid” used should be phosphatidylcholine.
This is the source that I use:
http://www.healthyitems.com/Liposomals-s/41.htm
As safe as vitamin-c is, there are certain people who should not use vitamin-c supplements unless they get their doctor’s ok.
People with hemochromatosis which is a condition where iron builds up in their bodies People G6PD syndrome, which is an enzyme deficiency People with kidney problems or those getting dialysis treatments People on blood thinners like Coumadin or Warfarin
#~#~#
The second item I use mostly on infections is colloidal silver. Again this works very well because bacteria can’t become resistant to it. You can find it in most health food stores and for more info check out my web page on it.
http://www.longevity-and-antiaging-secrets.com/liquid-colloidal-silver.html
I have used this on some intense infections and it always works quickly and completely. The only side effect I have noticed is a slight bit of constipation, which depends on the dosage and how long I use it.
With that said, I would caution that you always see a doctor for anything above a slight infection, as they can be dangerous. No product I recommend is meant to substitute for proper medical treatment. Rather they can be helpful for minor things, and also for more serious things when used in addition to standard medical treatment.
So….bottom line, if you are really sick, don’t just self medicate, always see a doctor to be on the safe side!
#~#~#
Ok, here comes another movie review, and if you are wondering why I talk about older films, it’s because they made a strong and positive impression on me. These types of movies engage you on an emotional level which I think is the key to a great film.
I’m not saying that there aren’t any current movies that are good, but it seems (in my hallowed opinion -:D). Hollywood is cranking out a lot of films without real substance these days, in that they don’t connect with the audience on an emotional level.
With that said, I recommend you check out “Antwon Fisher.” The movie stars Derek Luke in the title role, Denzel Washington as the psychiatrist, and Joy Bryant as Fisher’s supportive girlfriend.
The screenplay was written by the real Antwon Fisher, and based on his book “Finding Fish.” In the film Antwon who was given up for adoption by his drug dependent mother endures physical, sexual, and verbal abuse while in foster care.
His anger problems while in the navy bring him to the attention of a caring psychiatrist played wonderfully by Denzel Washington. In the film Antwon must overcome his inner rage, and with the help of his girlfriend seeks and is reunited with his extended family.
This Youtube clip is a wonderful synopsis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=55NgzyLGTt0&NR=1
The scene where he meets his extended family for the first time is quite an emotional moment and will have you reaching for the Kleenex once again. Fine performances all around by the actors in this film, which is also Denzel Washington’s directorial debut.
It got 4.5 stars on Amazon over 147 reviews. Definitely worth watching!
#~#~#
Since this newsletter IS about antiaging, I will be delving into that topic more intensely in the new year, and evaluating some products that actually DO have the ability to slow or even reverse SOME aspects of aging.
Remember that antiaging is not about being immortal or living hundreds of years, it’s really being proactive about your health, so you can enjoy your life and loved ones fully for many years to come. That’s what it’s all about, and YES it is very possible to do this!
I will be sharing some outstanding items with you in the weeks and months ahead, so stay with me.
#~#~#
I will leave you with a favorite quote of a good friend that is originally attributed to Theodore Parker, but also used by Martin Luther King.
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Thanks for reading, and there will be another newsletter heading your
way next Thursday. Look for it in your in-box, and please don’t hesitate to
write with your questions or comments.
You can reach me at: george362@comcast.net
Yours in health,
George Parigian Jr.
Age Better Newsletter