Marjorie Dickinson, Licensed Massage Therapist

The Greatest Gift

2011-12-25T22:40:00.000-08:00

Do you make enough time in your life for the ones that you love? Do you let them know how you really feel about them in a way that they can understand?

We are so busy; eating and texting while driving, adding endless errands to our to-do lists, ignoring the beauty of nature around us...can we set a little time aside each day to love? It is so healthy and so important.

The greatest gift you can give a loved one this holiday season is not an ipad, a sparkly piece of jewelry, nor is it even a massage gift certificate...
it is your TRUE PRESENCE.

Take a couple minutes, breathe in and out peacefully several times, approach them and with a smile, look into their eyes, say,

"My dear, I am here for you."

If you say this with your mind and your body united, you will witness a transformation.

--Thich Nhat Hahn

Hepadna & Old Lace

2011-12-13T22:40:00.000-08:00

Just stumbled across a unique artist doing some new stuff with an old art form.

Brooklyn-based Laura Splan programed the geometric shapes of different virion into a computerized embroidery machine to come up with some beautiful doilies.

Herpes never looked so elegant...

Herpes

Influenza

Hepadna

HIV

SARS

We Are Healed

2011-12-13T21:52:00.000-08:00

The Common Cold Magnified

I write this to you, dear Reader, curled in bed, living day three of a cold. My throat burns, my bones ache, and my nose vacillates between being completely blocked and slowly leaking hot air. To top it all off, I've got a 2 lb baby inside me, squirming and kicking from my ribs down to my bladder. It is easy to feel sorry for myself.

Being pregnant, I can't do my usual remedies.

Good-bye, Oregano Oil ! So long, Echinacea!

Instead, I've been doing the following:

1) multiple himalayan salt water gargles each day
2) neti pot 4-5 x per day with homemade saline (I still finish this with a squirt of colloidal silver to each nostril--hoping baby doesn't come out a Smurf ).

3) tea with Manuka Honey/Constant Fluids
4) freshly squeezed grapefruit juice--which to be honest, sent me hugging the porcelain this morning
5) no sugar! eating healing whole foods.
6) parking my butt in bed all day.

AND Most Importantly -->
I am picturing myself healed.
Focusing and deeply imagining how it would feel to be already healed.
Cold FREE.
Unstuffed.
Like myself.

Practicing this powerful technique can
CURE CANCER.
Seriously.
Please watch this video in which Gregg Braden describes the science behind this process and see a video clip in which bladder cancer disappears from a woman's body, without any drugs, without any knives... Are you a believer? Is this a miracle? Or, is it a technology that we are fully equipped to perform?

You are this powerful, too, you know.

"What we choose to experience in our lives,
we must first feel in our hearts, as if it has already happened."

Thanks, Gregg Braden!!

You Hold The Key

2011-12-13T21:17:00.000-08:00

"We must bring about a revolution in our way of living our everyday lives, because our happiness, our lives, are within ourselves."

--Thich Nhat Hahn, True Love

Cosmically Gorgeous flowers in San Francisco,
noticed on the way to a day of dissection.

Runners: Tart Cherries = Less Pain!

2011-12-12T10:42:00.000-08:00

Some Cherry Juice A Day Keeps the NSAIDs Away!

I am so excited to hear about all of the races that many of you will be running this season! This morning, I came across some great info that I know you all can use...

Instead of relying on Ibuprofen, Advil, or Tylenol this season for recovery and pain relief, swig some

TART CHERRY JUICE!

Click HERE to read the Research Article, Efficacy of tart cherry juice in reducing muscle pain during running: a randomized controlled trial, published by

JISSN (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition)

in 2010.

This is the most beneficial way to consume fruit juice:
*Room Temperature
*Diluted with clean, spring water

A study was conducted by the Departments of Orthopedics and Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University, and it was discovered that,

"Ingesting tart cherry juice for 7 days prior to and during a strenuous running event can minimize post-run muscle pain."

Long distance runners were the participants in this randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial. The experimental group drank o.355 Liters of Tart Cherry Juice 2x per day for the week leading up to a race and on the day of the race. The cherry juice group reported a significantly smaller increase in post-activity pain compared to the placebo group.

Participants in the cherry juice group were more willing to use the drink in the future and reported higher satisfaction with the pain reduction they attributed to the drink.
The antioxidants in cherry juice are so powerful that they stop inflammation in its tracks.

Need more reasons to drink tart cherry juice?

*Reduces Joint Pain (classic treatment for Gouty Arthritis)

*Supports Healthy Sleep Patterns (contains Melatonin)

*Supports Healthy Cardiovascular System

*Contains TONS of Beta Carotene, Vit. C, E,

Magnesium, Iron, Folate

* Tart cherry juice concentrate scores highest of all fruits and vegetables for antioxidants (particularly anthocyanins).

Here's the kind the baby and I've been chugging:

Remember: please drink Organic UNSWEETENED Tart Cherry Juice, as cherries have thin skins (easy for pesticides to seep through) and are on the dreaded dirty dozen list.

Doulananada Shout-out

2011-11-21T18:11:00.000-08:00

Check out the article I wrote for Jacksonville's Doulananda Birth Services blog. In it, I discuss how Maternity Reflexology is an effective tool in easing all aspects of carrying, birthing, and recovering.

Click HERE for the article

Doulananada is an extremely helpful company that provides doula services, birthing and breastfeeding classes, as well as hypnobirthing courses. If you or someone you know in the Jacksonville area is planning a pregnancy or expecting, check them out for some beneficial information.

Snap out of It

2011-11-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

Pst...

Wanna know a trick I figured out so that I don't go nuts sitting in front of my computer?

1) Go to: Peter Russell's World Clock

2) Check out the world statistics -- ever-changing,

they are mind-blowing

3) Click on "Meditations" at the top of the page and scroll down to "mindful reminders"

4) Customize the reminders to be simple chimes

verbal, or written cues.

5) Wake up and snap out of your technological trance when the peaceful reminders come up. You can set the timer to get them hourly or more frequently.

The Hampster Wheel / Life

2011-07-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Do you feel that you are enough, just as you are at this moment?

Do future goals or expectations that you set for yourself keep you from being content and at peace with your current situation?

Stress and worry about what is coming up next perpetuate fear in our minds, drawing our shoulders up around our necks and tightening our backs into a rigid turtle shell of protection.

We want things to go a certain way and we easily become attached to outcomes; we want to win the race, to get our lover's full attention, to have perfect skin or a flat stomach, to get this or that degree in school, to have everything turn out the way we think we needs it to be so that all can be well... or else...

Our stranglehold on life is doing us in.

One spring day in Ojai, California, the enlightened teacher, Jiddu Krishnamurti gave a spiritual talk under the shade of an oak grove. Every year, hundreds would gather here to hear Krishnamurti speak. He was a man who always seemed bathed in a glow peace and contentment. His students hoped to glean insight into his mastery of life challenges and stress. On this day, Krishnamurti paused during his lecture and asked,

"Do you want to know what my secret is?"

Krishnamurti, (12 May 1895 – 17 February 1986)

The group hushed and leaned forward.
He softly replied,

"I don't mind what happens."

He went on to say, "When you live with this awareness, this sensitivity, life has an astonishing way of taking care of you. Then there is no problem of security, of what people say or do not say, and that is the beauty of life."

Loosen your grip on life and who you think you need to be. Let your vulnerability emerge and know that you are safe.

And on a final note, I found this interesting 3 minute clip regarding goals and what happens when we share them out-loud with others.

Template

2011-05-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

Chrysaora Quinquecirrha, 500 million years old

Vesalius, De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem, 1543.

PET-rissage! Animals Know What's Up

2011-04-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

I still have the pleasure of working with Campy, whose mom, Marni

is a dear friend, awesome triathlete, and author of an amazing blog

(click here to see her blog)

Before I had my current office, back when my practice was strictly house-calls, I had the pleasure of working alongside many of my clients' pets. Some would sleep under or beside the massage table (usually the dogs would do this) and some would jump onto the table, hungry for attention or to get a closer look at what I was doing (typically a feline move). Once, a big orange cat named Leroy got on the table and proceeded to petrissage (I'm not making this up, it's a legitimate massage stroke) his owner's glutes. He was helping me! It was awesome and made me wish I always had a furry little assistant. This video reminds me of that day and is so damn cute. These cats definitely know what's good for them.

Learn from the natural world!--

get your knead on.

Tree Hugging & Brain Tides

2011-01-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

"Within that cerebrospinal fluid

there is an invisible element

that I refer to as the ‘Breath of Life...’

You will have observed its potency and also its Intelligence,' spelled with a capital 'I'.

It is something that you can depend upon

to do the work for you.

In other words, don't try to drive the (body) through any

external force.

Rely upon the tide."

William Garner Sutherland, D.O.

My last post was about water. This one is, too, only it deals with learning to feel the tidal waves that exist within other people and within myself.

In May, I took a Biodynamic Craniosacral course in Manhattan at The Open Center. It was taught by Michael Shea.

Our Class (minus Mark--photographer)

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy began with Osteopath, Dr. William Garner Sutherland (1873-1954). "William, a student of Andrew Still, the founder of Osteopathy, made an unusual discovery during medical school. Upon closely studying the bones of the cranium, the thought, 'beveled like the gills of a fish, for primary respiration,' came to him. Eureka.

This powerful insight began 50 years of exploring and developing skills in relation to the human body and health. Through his continued research and practice, he observed subtle rhythmic pulsations that would ebb and flow in and around the body that caused all the tissues of the body to respond with functional changes.

He called this motion the “Tide”.

The brain and spinal cord are enclosed in a sac of water. The sac is called the Dura. Here is an illustration by the one and only, Dr. Netter :

Here we can see the fluid that surrounds and

flows through the brain:

Check out these two amazing videos showing

the tidal movement of the cerebrospinal fluid:

Let The Trees Be Your Teachers

Different tides can be palpated or sensed not only in the human system, but also in other living systems such as animals and plants. As practitioners, we are trained to sense different levels of stillness and thus palpate the expression/movement of the system as the treatment unfolds--according to its own innate intelligence.

This work is about deep listening through stillness
and letting go of resistance...

We were told to practice on trees, houseplants, and pets.

I caught my kitten, Barnaby, doing a Craniosacral hold on Arthur.

Through the practicing I have done, I have noticed the powerful potential within stillness and its paradoxical ability to move tissue that has long been hardened. Through becoming familiar with this work, I am reminded that it's in quiet patience that health is able to spontaneously arise. To open up and know thyself requires the release of expectations, mental chatter, and any resistance to the flow of life.

"Know Thyself", as inscripted above the entrance of the Oracle at Delphi.

Be The Water That You Are

2011-01-17T20:40:00.000-08:00

The best way to live

is to be like water

For water benefits all things

and goes against none of them

It provides for all people

and even cleanses those places

a man is loath to go

In this way it is just like Tao.

Live in accordance with the nature of things:

Build your house on solid ground

Keep your mind still

When giving, be kind

When speaking, be truthful

When ruling, be just

When working, be one-pointed

When acting, remember--timing is everything.

One who lives in accordance with nature

does not go against the way of things

He moves in harmony with the present moment

always knowing the truth of just what to do

-Verse 8, Tao Te Ching

Lao Tzu, translation by Jonathan Star

Honey Be Well

2010-12-15T08:41:00.000-08:00

Honey falls in spiral patterns

"If the dew is warmed by rays of the sun, not honey

but drugs are produced, heavenly gifts for the eyes,

for ulcers and the internal organs."

-Pliny the Elder, 79 AD

"The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth."

-Ecclesiasticus, 38:4

There proceedeth from their bellies a liquor of

various color, wherein is medicine for man."

-Qu'ran, 16:69 on bees

Let's give it up for the BEES!

Bees make powerful medicines.

They provide not only honey, but propolis, pollen, royal jelly and venom--all of which are known for their healing properties.

Honey through History

The oldest known intact book of medicine, the Papyrus Ebers (15 BC), houses over 800 remedies--over HALF of which call for honey. Hippocrates employed honey in many of his treatments and once said, "Wine and Honey are held to be the best things for human beings, so long as they are administered appropriately and with moderation to both the well and the sick in accordance with their constitution; they are beneficial both alone and mixed." In Chinese medicine, Shen Nong (2 BC) wrote that honey "helps to kill pain and relieves internal heat and fever and is useful to many diseases. It may be mixed with many herbal medicines. If taken regularly, one's memory may be improved, good health ensues, and one may feel neither too hungry nor decrepit."

What Is It about Honey
That Makes It So Good?

Bees add an enzyme (glucose oxidase) to their honey that breaks down into hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria. Like tiny flying apothecaries, bees choose they plants with which they interact. Different flowers contribute additional antibacterial properties to the honey. Manuka honey from the Tea Tree plant is known to be one of the most potent honeys available.

Manuka honey contains another antibacterial agent (called the "Unique Manuka Factor") that is non-hydrogen peroxide based--killing even more invading bacteria.

"Active Manuka Honey" is the only honey that has been tested for its antibacterial properties.

You can read more about Manuka Honey by clicking here and here. Very interesting stuff.

When applied topically, the sugar in honey creates osmotic pressure within certain foreign cell bodies and shrivels them to death. The sugar also feeds the hardworking white blood cells. Goop it on-- the honey creates a thick, sterile bandage.

Why Keep Honey in Your Medicine Cabinet?

Sore Throat/Cough -gargle with warm water, Manuka honey, and Himalayan salt
Open Wounds, Skin Infections, Burns -apply to cleaned wound as a salve. Change up to 3x/day. Read this for clinical studies on wounds.
Less Wrinkles -Apply as a mask and leave on for 20 mins. Humectant and draws out impurities
Dry/Tired Eyes/Night Blindness -Sounds scary, right? But it's supposed to work. Apply a lil honey under lid.
Anemia -Eat some.
Stomach Ulcers -Kills H. Pylori bacteria. Take internally.
Staph infections -kills staphylococcus
Allergies -eat local honey to adapt to pollen

The list goes on and on...

When buying honey, buy raw and local.

Manuka is imported from New Zealand and more expensive, but I think it's worth it. Click here to see example.

"It's as if the bees have caught the flu..."

30% of the world's bee colonies
were lost last year.

Albert Einstein is attributed with saying,
"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left."

Here's a fascinating TED talk about the decline of the bee population on earth and the detrimental effect that will have on us. Support local bee farming!

The Feet Have to Understand The Pelvis -Ida Rolf

2010-11-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

A good background to this article would be the one I shared about one of my heroes, Ida P. Rolf. You can click on her name to read it, if you like. Dr. Rolf came up with ideas surrounding a tensegrity model, as applied to the body's fascia (sinews).

Dr. Rolf getting down and dirty with her elbow

Her ideas have been expanded upon by some of the great thinkers in the bodywork movement, including Thomas Myers, founder of Anatomy Trains.

I was lucky enough to take an Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians workshop for manual therapists in New Jersey, this past October. It was a phenomenal experience. I was able to put to words ideas that I have only experienced in my own practice, but never had explained to me.

Vesalius (c. 1550) shows us the deep front line

Listening to the instructor, Simone Lindner, was inspiring. Her vast knowedge and passion about this work was contagious. I returned to Jacksonville full of excitement to share with you all that I learned.

Me, Simone, and a Skeleton

According to the KMI website,
"Anatomy Trains® maps the 'anatomy of connection' - the whole-body fascial and myofascial linkages. Anatomy Trains links the individual muscles into functional complexes, each with a specific anatomy and 'meaning'. Anatomy Trains leads to new holistic strategies for health professionals, movement teachers, and athletes to resolve complex postural and movement patterns. "

More simply put, it's a map of how the muscles connect through the fascial networks of the body. This video helps:

To dig deeper into Anatomy Trains, click here or come get a session and let the work speak for itself.

You can study about your own body at your leisure, too.
Click here to buy the book (I highly recommend it).

Your Magnificent 7 Layer Liquid Crystal Oscillator: Your Heart

2010-10-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart. -The Buddha

Heart Nebula

Your heart is home to your vital energy and spirit. The primary function of the heart team is the development of blood and its transportation. The heart controls life and movement. According to eastern medicine, the heart is also the center or "king" of our emotional existence, so that any extreme emotion injures and afflicts the heart and its mate (the small intestine). A person who has no spirit, no zest for being alive, is said to be, in part, suffering from a malfunction of the heart team.The heart is also the supreme governor of thought and rational behavior. Feeling irrational or lackluster? Maybe your heart is out of balance.

Here is a 3 min. video of Anatomist Dr. Gil Hedley showing a heart in an unembalmed cadaver. He gets pretty emotional about it. Every time I watch it, I do, too. This fist-sized ball of muscle is so enigmatic, can you blame us?

The Heart produces the strongest electromagnetic fields of the body. Recent studies have shown that when people touch or are in proximity, one person's heartbeat signal is registered in the other person's brainwaves (EEG). Could it be the intermingling of these waves?

The above picture illustrates the electromagnetic fields that are produced by the life force/electricity generated by the heart in the chest.

Here is the magnetic field of the Earth. (Look familiar?)

The magnetic fields surrounding a bar magnet.

And here are the magnetic fields generated by the heart, seen expanding outside the physical body (some believe that this field extends up to several miles outside the body, possibly ad infinitum).

"I was given a young man's heart--

and started craving beer."

Ever heard of a heart transplant recipient who begins to crave the favorite foods of the donor or be moved to tears by songs the donor once loved? There are countless stories of this happening. Click here to read an article about it. This phenomenon is amazing and mysterious. Does the heart have memory? Which memories does your heart hold?

Separate studies show that the risk of developing heart disease is significantly increased for people who impulsively vent their anger as well as for those who tend to repress angry feelings.

An Exercise For Your Heart
(that you can do on the couch):

"There are moments when we feel very grateful for the other person in our life...Withdraw yourself to a quiet room and write down your feeling of gratitude. [This is your Heart Sutra.] This moment of gratitude is a moment of enlightenment, of mindfulness, of intelligence. It is a manifestation from the depths of your consciousness...Keep your Heart Sutra in a sacred place. Try to chant your sutra often." -Thich Nhat Hanh

"A wise person nurtures and guards his heart energy with greater attention than he would show for all his physical possessions and wealth."

Keep in mind that according to eastern medicine, the heart is injured by:

-excess walking, running, jogging, etc.

-anger/rage

-"dark" or evil thoughts

-sudden fright or terror

-being too exuberant or dramatic

-excessive emotion of any sort

-hot clothing/drinks/foods/weather

-boozin' and usin'

-excess salt

-eggs (esp. whites) and dairy products

Nurture your heart with laughter, joy, moderate exercise, electrolytes (see ConcenTrace here), MASSAGE, and COMPASSION. Your heart has been working non-stop for you. Isn't it time to give it some attention?

I'll end with this funny video from a Happy Days episode--it's a good anatomy review of the heart and if it gets you to laugh just a little, is good for your, well, you know.

"My boy don't cheat"-Fonzie

Enough Said

2010-10-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

(snapped this today at Delicomb!)

An Apple A Day

2010-10-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from a wonderful trip to New York & New Jersey. I enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and attending an Anatomy Trains workshop. Here are a couple cool pictures that I snapped at my favorite store, Evolution.

Here is a human skull that has been disarticulated and displayed under this shiny glass dome. Notice how the upper palate of your mouth, the maxilla, is a fusion of two bones and that your brain is sitting on boney pockets of air. If we know that the human body is basically just a sack of sea water walking around and that living bone is flexible and spongey, do you think that there is any movement among the sutures of a living skull? That which isn't flexible breaks easily under pressure, right?

As a burgeoning anatomist, have I died and gone to heaven? Here is a collection of actual human skeletons--from a tiny baby up to a full grown adult. (Too bad there isn't a scoliotic 80+ skeleton.) Notice the head/body size ratio in the baby vs. the adult. Can you tell the sex of a body, just by studying its skeleton?

The human structure is an artistic, engineering marvel!

We Are One!

2010-09-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

We are experiencing an illusion when we believe ourselves to be separate from others and the rest of the world.

It is time to realize that if you are kind to someone else, you are being kind to yourself. If you reach out and help someone, you are helping yourself. If you are peaceful towards others, it becomes difficult to be hard on yourself. Loving yourself and loving others are one in the same.

I invite you to enjoy this incredible video where two dogs demonstrate interbeing.

10 Facts about Wax

2010-08-31T22:16:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it. Last Saturday night, I cleaned my ears with a Q-tip.

My entire life I've always heard to never stick anything inside my ear canal that is smaller than my elbow but I had an itch that
I couldn't scratch otherwise.

And now I know why that old saying exists.

The next day, I felt something become lodged inside my right ear. I could barely hear anything, until a physician scraped out huge clumps of
black wax .
What exactly is ear wax and was it normal that mine was black?

Here are 10 interesting facts that I found in the process of my cerumenal exploration.

1) Ear wax (Cerumen) is mainly made of dead skin.

2) Fear, Anxiety, and Stress increase production of ear wax.

3) There are two genetically different types of

ear wax--wet (found in people of Caucasian

and African decent) and dry (found in people

of East Asian and Native American decent ).

Anthropologists have used ear wax to track human migratory patterns.

4) Wet Ear wax (containing more fat) is golden orange, brown and black. It glows in a black light:

Dry Ear wax

is white and flakey.

Dry Ear Wax

5) Every time you chew, the movement of your jaw bone, or mandible, helps to push the wax up and out of your ear.

6) Recent research has found that wax has antibacterial/antifungal properties.

Ear Wax under Electron Microscope

7) Ear wax has a slightly acidic pH (6.1).

8) A 1938 article in a women's magazine suggested ear wax to be applied as a form of chapstick.

9) In medieval times ear wax, and other substances such as urine, were used to prepare pigments used by scribes.

10) Be thankful for your ear wax! It keeps your ear canal lubricated and clean.

Free Lindsay? How Bout Free My Kombucha!

2010-07-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Last week, I headed over to Native Sun to pick up some necessaries--which included some bottles of Kombucha.

That's when, to my horror, I saw all the shelves empty

and this lengthy note:

HUH??

How could they take away Kombucha?! My imagination began running wild. Just the other day, a friend had shared a theory that the government was trying to keep Americans unhealthy so that we would be more easily controlled. Taking away this healing tonic is one more example, I was quick to think.

Then, I heard this:

Lindsay Lohan is the reason.

Lohan, Kombucha in hand

That's right. Lindsay Lohan.

Click HERE to read a CNBC article about this mess. Turns out Lindsay was wearing a SCRAM bracelet to monitor her alcohol consumption. Lindsay enjoys her Kombucha, just like me, and she claims the alcohol content in the naturally fermented tea is what set off her SCRAM alarm.

Lohan with Her SCRAM. Classy.

Unpasteurized Kombucha has been temporarily taken off the market to test the alcohol levels .
GT Dave, founder of the company that produces Lohan's Kombucha said that at the time of shipping, the product is compliant with < 0.5 alcohol content. However, these levels could increase while the product is being stored or shipped.

In the meantime, I'll be making my own--why don't you try? We can have a kombucha exchange.
These hipster dudes can show us how:

I'll keep you posted about how that turns out.

Interested in learning more about Kombucha? Click HERE.

Spare Your Kidneys: Arnica As Effective As Ibuprofen!

2010-07-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

This little mountain flower packs a powerful healing punch

Recent studies reveal that Arnica is as effective as Ibuprofen in relieving osteoarthritis pain and stiffness. A preparation of arnica extract was chosen for the randomized, double-blind study conducted by researchers in Switzerland. The study had patients with osteoarthritis of the hand joints apply arnica gel topically three times a day, for 21 days. At the end of the three week period, study authors concluded that short-term use of arnica gel improves pain and function in osteoarthritis as effectively as ibuprofen gel.

Warning

"Users of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are at a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes. In addition, more serious side effects of ibuprofen include ulcers, bleeding or holes in the stomach or the intestine. Patients who are at greater risk for these side effects are people who use ibuprofen on a long-term basis, are in poor health or drink 3 or more alcoholic drinks while on ibuprofen."

Want to buy the best Arnica gel

I've found in all my years
doing bodywork? This is it:

Arnica Plus from Peaceful Mountain. I LOVE Peaceful Mountain products and am lucky enough to use them everyday at work. I first came across the brand in a Jacksonville Whole Foods.
Trust me. Get Some.

Arnica, white willow* (aspirin is derived from white willow bark), devil’s claw*, witch hazel**, peppermint*, aloe, potassium sorbate,

originox (dont worry--this is Oregano), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, water, carbomer (less than 1%)

(*certified organic | **certified wild-crafted)

Click here to check out the Peaceful Mountain informative website and have fun browsing all the great goods. From Colloidal Silver to Chafe Rescue, Joint Rescue to Stomach Rescue, you'll have your first aid kit stocked.

And the best part?

Mention Marjorie Dickinson, LMT and you will get 30% off your order!

(And no, I'm not getting kickbacks.)

Sunscreen: Snakeoil of the 21st century?

2010-05-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

How Sunscreen Has Been Messing With My Ovaries...Among Other Things

Imagine my shock when I read that the sunscreen that I have been slathering on since the weather got warmer is actually luring cancer into my life and messing with my hormones. In fact, the sunscreen that I bought at a Health Food Store in Sarasota, FL is listed DEAD LAST on a list of harmful sunscreens.

What is it about chemical sunscreens that makes them so bad?

Many of the chemicals that are in sunscreens are well-known toxic substances. Ironically enough, most of them are used in chemical laboratories in reactions because when they are exposed to UV light, they produce free radicals. So basically, when you rub them all over your skin and step out into the sun, the UV light hitting your body begins many reactions and free radicals shoot through your tissues like bullets, destroying delicate strands of DNA, causing unstable cell growth (cancer).
Another major problem with most sunscreens is that they contain gender-bending chemicals. That's right--these chemicals mimic estrogen in the body (many when exposed to UV light) and can cause serious problems in sexual development in unborn and growing children as well as adult sexual dysfunction. This includes, but is not limited to: loss of libido, endometriosis, lower sperm count, diminished penis size, and undescended testicles.

Research shows that this sunscreen application definitely isn't helping out this couple's sex life.

Expected Effects of Estrogenic Chemicals in Humans
In Women	Endometriosis
	Migrane
	Severe PMS
	Erratic Periods
	Increased Breast and Uterine Cancer
	Fibrocystic breast disease
	Uterine cysts
In Men	Lowered Sperm Counts
	Sexual Identity Confusion - Feminization
	Breast Enlargement
	Smaller than normal penis size
	More testicular cancer
	Undescended testicles
	Block or reduce fetal imprinting of male behavior pattern in brain

New studies with rats have shown that the vitamin A that is added to sunscreens in anti-aging creams is also photoactive. When the sunlight hits, it becomes toxic and makes the wearer more likely to develop cancer.
The nano-technology in many of the sprays and zinc sunscreens is also being proven as harmful. The tiny particles slip right through membranes and enter our lungs and organ systems.

Benzophenone/PABA/Triethanolamine cocktail anyone??

At least 35% of the cream that you apply to your skin enters into your bloodstream.

In other words, you're drinking it. One of the most powerful free radical generators, Benzophenone (dioxybenzone, oxybenzone) is activated by...drumroll please...UV light. Click on the word Benzophenone above and you will be taken to a cosmetics site where it is ranked as a level 9 health hazard (on a scale of 1-10 where 10 is the most concerning). This chemical is a known carcinogen and much to my dismay, is one of the main ingredients in my Alba Botanica "all natural" facial sunscreen. I have been rubbing this chemical over the thin skin around my eyes! I am not happy about this. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found detectable levels of oxybenzone in the urine of 97% of Americans over the age of 6! That means you, too!
   In 1998, Dr. Knowland at the University of Oxford did a study, proving that PABA, a common sunscreen ingredient, can damage DNA and cause cancer. He stated, "I would not use a product containing PABA, Padimate-O or other PABA derivatives". If you're not looking at labels to buy PABA-free products (many of them clearly state it on the front of the bottle), you might want to start.
     In fact, after much of the reading and research I have done to write this post, I have continuously read studies that demonstrate that THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC PROOF THAT SUNSCREENS PROTECT AGAINST MELANOMA OR BASAL CELL CARCINOMA. Some MD's believe that the increased use of sunscreen is actually the primary cause of the skin and breast/prostate/cervical cancers epidemic. Don't get me wrong, there is some evidence that actinic keratoses (the precursors of squamous cell carcinoma) can be thwarted with sunscreen, but that's not the deadly cancer. Dr. Marianne Berwick of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NY examined data and found "no relationship between sunscreen use at any age and the development of melanoma skin cancer". Sunscreens prevent sunburn, but a sunburn is not a direct cause of cancer.

    " Worldwide, the greatest rise in melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical sunscreens have been heavily promoted The rise in melanoma has been exceptionally high in Queensland, Australia where the medical establishment has vigorously promoted the use of sunscreens. Queensland now has more incidences of melanoma per capita than any other place on Earth. (Garland, Cedric F., et al. Could sunscreens increase melanoma risk? American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 82, No. 4, April 1992, pp. 614-15)."

     In conclusion, most sunscreens on the market contain toxic unstable substances that when exposed to sunlight, become carcinogenic. These chemicals easily enter our bloodstream, are stored in fat tissue, and accumulate over time. The FDA has done a terrible job, at best, in protecting us from these truths. I strongly urge you to click here and see where your sunscreen ranks on the list. And remember, the best sunscreen is a hat and some clothing or a nice shady tree. Don't fear the sun! Go get some Vitamin D!!

"You Are What You Drink" -Diet Coke's Advertising Slogan, '98

2010-04-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

     I burst out laughing when I read Diet Coke's 1998 slogan, "You Are What You Drink!" Yes, you ARE what you consume. In fact, seven years from now, you will be walking around in an entirely new body. That is the amount of time it takes for almost all the cells in your body to turn over and make themselves anew. As philosophers and scientists have taught us, nothing comes from nothing... so this new building material is coming from WHATEVER YOU ARE INGESTING.

      For those of you addicted to what I call "legal crack" a.k.a. Diet Coke, let's look at the chemicals (as formulated in the United States) that you are using as your building materials, listed in order of greatest to least amount:

Why are all these things so bad? They don't sound that awful and you can pronounce them, right? Wrong. Let's break it down.

Carbonated Water- Osteoporosis and esophageal cancer, anyone?
The carbonation in all soft drinks causes calcium loss in the bones through a three-stage process:

The carbonation irritates the stomach.
The stomach "cures" the irritation the only way it knows how. It adds the only antacid at its disposal: calcium. It gets this from the blood.
The blood, now low on calcium, replenishes its supply from the bones. If it did not do this, muscular and brain function would be severely impaired.

Healthy human bodies should be slightly alkaline at a pH of 7.365. Whenever your body moves away from 7.365, your system takes action to move you back to that value.
Water in most areas has a value of 7 or neutral. Carbonated drinks have a value of about 2.8, but the difference isn't just 4.2. The pH scale values vary exponentially. As the scale moves from 7 to 6, the difference is multiplied by 10. So your Diet Coke is approaching 100,000 times more acidic than water.

Caramel Color- Has been shown to produce inflammation in the tissue of laboratory animals. If you are training, you have enough inflammation going on.

Aspartame-Where to begin?...how about it has been linked to Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome (weight gain), ADD and ADHD, lymphoma, brain tumors, brain lesions, hormone disruption...need I continue?

Phosphoric Acid-Added to give the drink its "bite", this acid, ironically, softens your teeth and turns them YELLOW. Ever put a tooth in a glass of Diet Coke? Over time, the tooth will begin to become become soft and brittle by leaching out the calcium. This process happens to all bones in your body.

Potassium Benzoate-This is used to increase shelf-life. In the presence of heat, light, or over time, this chemical turns into BENZENE, a carcinogen that has been linked to leukemia.

Natural Flavors- How "natural" are these? So natural that Coke won't give consumers their origin. It's their dirty little secret.

Citric Acid- Contains traces of MSG--a neurotoxin. Plus, more acid. Hello, gastric lining erosion!

Caffeine- Check this out how SERIOUS this legal DRUG is:

Spiders were fed flies that had been dipped in different drugs. Here are the webs that resulted:

Drug Free Spider Web

Peyote LSD

Speed

Marijuana

CAFFEINE

Sleeping Pills

How does your Diet Coke affect the web that you spin each day?

So, stay hydrated, drink plenty of clean, spring water (1/2 your body weight in ounces per day). If you're going to drink a soda, there are PLENTY of healthier options. Try soda made with Stevia (plant based sweetener that is actually good for your liver) or cane sugar.

Buy 0 calorie soda with Stevia now at Native Sun and save 3 bucks!

Further reading:

http://www.emaxhealth.com/11/586.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/health/nutrition/05symp.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/13/health/webmd/main701408.shtml

http://www.mindconnection.com/library/health/softdrinks.htm http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/soft-drinks-america.html

Are We All Full of Shit?

2010-03-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

Americans spend $1,300,065.00 a day on laxatives!!

Dehydration (of course), eating fatty, rich foods, being constantly angry and frustrated, and a desk job can all contribute to being irregular. In this quick clip, Paul Chek, a passionate, informed health crusader, discusses just how stuck our society is. Let's get real here--we all eliminate our bowels, lest we couldn't be alive. Do you stop to notice how often you go?

Abdominal massage and Reflexology are effective tools to get things moving. Other methods to consider are warm castor oil packs applied to the abdomen, a daily probiotic, aloe vera juice, clean spring water (of course) and exercise.

Our Genes Are Not Our Fate

2010-03-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

"Walking for three hours per week for three months caused so many new neurons to grow that it actually increased the size of people's brains".

You are powerful enough to change how your genes are expressed.

In this short video (3 mins), Dean Ornish, clinical professor at UCSF and founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, talks about the importance of making lifestyle changes.

The Healing Power of One Concious Breath

2010-03-02T07:34:00.000-08:00

Remember, from time to time, to notice that you are breathing.

Your Feet Are Talking (The Egyptians Swore By It)

2010-02-20T08:37:00.000-08:00

Reflexology is an ancient healing modality the helps bring the systems of the body back into balance. By applying consistent, specific pressure to different points on the feet, deep relaxation shifts the body from the sympathetic (fight or flight) state to the gentle parasympathetic state. The parasympathetic state is THE ONLY state in which healing and rejuvenation can occur.

In my own practice, I use Reflexology as a tool to become more familiar with what is going on in my clients' bodies. Studies have shown that Reflexology increases circulation to corresponding areas. An increase in blood flow means a removal of waste, along with delivery of fresh food and oxygen for your cells. People living with conditions such as hormonal imbalances, irritable bowel syndrome, sinus infection/allergies, hip pain, headaches, and mastitis, have all found relief through this powerful modality.

I obtained my certification in Hand and Foot Reflexology in 2005 from Karen Ball's rigorous program in Gainesville, FL. I have been honing my craft every day since and continue to have new insights about the human body through this work. It's just one more reason that I love what I do.

Your Grandma and The Pioneers Swore By It

2010-02-18T12:03:00.000-08:00

Why cook with a cast iron skillet?

Virtually indestructible (will last FOREVER)
Even heat distribution
When seasoned well (oiled with use and time), creates a non-stick surface
Imparts IRON into your food
Can go from stove top to oven
No special utensils needed (won't scratch or warp)

Why would more IRON in my diet be a good thing?

Low levels of iron in the blood can result in insufficient amounts of oxygen being circulated, leading to tiredness and headaches. An extreme deficiency can lead to anemia with nausea, vomiting, weakness, suppression of the immune system, and difficulty in maintaining body temperature.

Women who are pregnant or of childbearing age, or who have heavy menstrual periods, have the greatest need for iron. Pre-term or low birth weight infants, older toddlers, teenage girls, and patients with gastrointestinal disorders or kidney failure are also at high risk for iron deficiency. Athletes lose iron through perspiration. Also, The excessive consumption of tea or coffee can inhibit the absorption of iron by the body.

It has been estimated that only 65 - 70% of Americans get enough iron.

You will need to care for your cast iron skillet differently than your regular cookware, so make sure you read the packages instructions, look online, or ask a relative who is familiar with cast iron.

Look for them at yard sales, antique malls or even at Target. Usually, the older and more seasoned the pan, the better. Three trusted brands are Griswold, Wagner, and Lodge. I found mine at an Antique Mall in Micanopy, FL for $10.00 and love it! The older and more seasoned, the better. You will be investing in your health and a collectible.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THIS AWESOME BLOG ABOUT ANYTHING YOUR HEART DESIRES CONCERNING CAST IRON COOKING .

Need Endurance Energy? Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!

2010-02-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

Chia seeds up close and personal

Did you have a Chia pet growing up? I didn't, but I always remember wanting one. If you aren't familiar with Chia pets, they are terra cotta figurines that you moisten and spread with seeds from the Saliva Hispanica plant, aka, Chia.

Known as the running food, Chia's use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. It was said the Aztec warriors subsisted on the Chia seed during their conquests. The Indians of the southwest would eat as little as a teaspoonful when going on a 24 hr. forced march. It is said that Indians running from the Colorado River to the California coast to trade turquoise for seashells would only bring the Chia seed for their nourishment.

If you try mixing a spoonful of Chia into a glass of water and leaving it for approximately 30 minutes or so, when you return, the glass will appear to contain not seeds or water, but an almost solid gelatin. This gel-forming reaction is due to the soluble fiber in the Chia. Research believes this same gel-forming phenomenon takes place in the stomach when food containing these gummy fibers, known as mucilages, are eaten. The gel that is formed in the stomach creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, thus slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar.

In addition to the obvious benefits for diabetics, this slowing in the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar offers the ability for creating endurance. Carbohydrates are the fuel for energy in our bodies. Prolonging their conversion into sugar stabilizes metabolic changes, diminishing the surges of highs and lows creating a longer duration in their fueling effects.

	Studies have suggested that incorporating common chia into chicken feed may improve the nutritional value of chicken products by increasing the omega-3 content and decreasing the cholesterol content of the meat and eggs.
	Rodent studies have shown that Salvia hispanica may lower serum cholesterol, LDL (low density lipoproteins), and triglycerides while increasing HDL (high density lipoproteins). Furthermore, Salvia hispanica has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-tumor activity.

Massage FAQ

2010-02-17T17:12:00.000-08:00

Frequently Asked Questions

When I first started getting massages (before I went to massage school), I had questions about how to be a client. It was only after I became a therapist that I began to understand how important these questions are for you, the client, and your level of comfort.
And let's face it, you can only relax when you're comfortable.
If you think of any others, please feel free to email me and ask.

Q. Should I keep my eyes opened or closed during the massage?

A. That is up to you. Whatever helps you to relax more deeply.

Q. May I wear my underwear during the session?

A. Your level of undress is completely up to you. If you would like to stay fully clothed during the massage that is okay, too. Please note, however, that some clothing (especially tight jeans) can limit the ease with which your body could be maneuvered.

Q. Is is okay to talk during my massage?

A. Yes. This is your time and if talking helps you to vent and unwind, please feel free. However, a quiet space can be a healthy break from our noisy lives. Can you clear your mind and let your thoughts pass like leaves in a stream?

Q. Should I just grin and bear this pain? The more it hurts, the better it is, right??

A. NO! The "no pain, no gain" theory does not apply in my office. On a scale of 1 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain), I don't want your experience to ever go above a level 6 or 7. Once the body starts to experience an extreme amount of pain, it can contract to protect itself. We want to promote the opposite experience, relaxation. It is up to you to tell me if ANYTHING I DO is uncomfortable or you would like me to STOP at any time.

Q. Is it customary to tip a massage therapist?

A. That depends on where you are.
If you are at a spa, it is customary to tip 15-20%. Spa workers often make a small percentage of what you actually pay for your session. Anywhere from $13-20/hr is customary payment for a massage therapist at a salon or spa--even though you might be paying up to $120/hr. Also, take into consideration how you felt about your experience. Did s/he seem attentive to your needs?
If you are at a Chiropractor's office or medical massage office, it is not customary to tip. It would be like tipping your dental hygienist. Many physicians do not allow their therapists to accept tips.
If you are at a therapist's private office, the choice is yours. Maintaining an office can be a large expense. Keep that in mind, too. And as always, evaluate your experience.

Q. May I fall asleep during my massage?

A. Absolutely.

Q. Oh no! Marjorie, I forgot to shave my legs! Do you care?

A. I didn't even notice.

Want to reach a healthy weight this year?

2010-02-16T07:57:00.000-08:00

"The question of food and what one should eat is one that would take much space to cover. A good rule of thumb is to eat whatever foods appeal to you, but be sure they are of good quality and fresh. Avoid too many starchy foods, such as breads potatoes, pies, pastries, etc. Eat plenty of green and cooked vegetables."
-Willie Honeman, in American Bicyclist, 1945

Fad diets come and go like hairstyles. There are hundreds. Think of the ones you or someone you know might have tried--Atkins, South Beach, grapefruit, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, cabbage soup...

As we rigidly stick to these meal plans and allotted calorie amounts, are we able to listen to our bodies? To maintain optimum health and proper bodily functions (lungs working, heart beating, eyes blinking, brain buzzing, etc) you NEED a base number of calories each day. If you don't get that amount, you'll be running on E--and that ain't pretty. Here's how to estimate your daily calorie requirement:

If you're inactive (sedentary)

Body weight x 14 = estimated calories per day

If you're moderately active

Body weight x 17 = estimated calories per day

If you're active

Body weight x 29 = estimated calories per day

For example, let's say you weigh 160 lbs. You sit at a desk at work, and go to the gym on your way home. At the gym, you do the elliptical machine for 2o minutes. Just to FUNCTION, you need at least c. 2,720 calories on an average day. That's not even considering the energy you burn exercising or taking the stairs at work or crunching numbers at the computer all day. Uh oh--you are on a 2,000 calorie/day diet. At night, you find your stomach will not hush. The growling is just awful. Lately, your brain feels foggy at work. You can't sit up straight because your back hurts and you feel depressed.

Your poor brain wants food! Your body starts telling you to eat more!! All you can think about is what you are having for lunch. Images of sugarplums dance in your head. Mmmmm doughnuts... Impulsively, you grab a high calorie fix--a snickers and a bag of toastchee crackers--foods that aren't "bad", just not the most nutritious. If we treated our bodies like our cars, we'd be in trouble. Would you run your gas tank to fumes and then pour in the cheapest, least refined gas you could find?

"Eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside."
- Mark Twain

Start listening to your body. Trust in the fact that it knows best. If you crave Oreos, go eat some. Chances are, once you've had your fill, the craving will subside. You might even start to notice that an apple and some almonds give you much more energy as an afternoon snack than do some cookies. Actually, the cookies give you a headache about an hour after your eat them. Imagine craving fruit over candy and cake! Trust me, it's possible--and deep down, that's what your body wants.

"Let food by thy medicine."
-Hippocrates

Take a minute to take this quiz , developed by Dr. Karin Kratina,to see if you have a healthy relationship with food.

My attitute towards dieting and food healed itself when I had the good fortune of working with Dr. Kratina in Gainesville, FL, a leader in the nondiet movement. For more information, please visit her website.

Move away from restriction, and start living in your body! It's ready to tell you what it wants. Are you ready to listen?

Ida P. Rolf - Visonary. . . and Barnard Woman

2009-12-12T18:51:00.000-08:00

Dr. Ida Pauline Rolf
May 19, 1986 - March 19, 1979

I learned about Ida Rolf when I first began studying massage therapy and found myself interested in deeper, structural work. Much to my delight, she, too, graduated from my alma mater, the small liberal arts women's college in New York City, Barnard. Granted, she graduated 86 years my senior, but I can't help but feel innately connected to her.

After receiving her PhD in Biochemistry from Columbia University, Ida worked at the Rockefeller Institute in the Departments of Chemotherapy and Organic Chemistry. While studying physics and atomic science in Switzerland, in the late 1920's, Ida became interested in Homeopathic medicine. During the 1930's, she devoted her life to learning about healing modalities like yoga, osteopathy, chiropractic medicine, the Alexander technique and Korzybski’s work on states of consciousness.

Legend has it there was a well known vocal coach in her neighborhood whose child was unable to walk due to a debilitating structural injury. Ida promised the woman that she would get her child to walk again-if she taught Ida's children to sing. The woman agreed and sure enough, Ida worked the first of her many "miracles". Ida's Manhattan apartment was known to be flooded with "patients"--people seeking her medical advice.

Later in her life, Ida developed Structural Integration-a form of deep bodywork that was named in her honor, Rolfing. Up until her death, she actively taught, gave public lectures, wrote, and studied. She was an INCREDIBLE woman, mother, healer, and scholar.
The following is a video where we can hear her speaking about her craft. Pardon the Portuguese subtitles.

For the Love of the Mother Grain: A Quinoa Tutorial

2009-12-11T13:01:00.000-08:00

Here I am cooking up some Quinoa. This grain was so important to the Inca's civilization in Peru, that they called it the "Mother Grain". A complete protein source, quinoa contains all essential amino acids...and is delicious to boot. To learn more about it, click here
To learn how to cook it: watch my video.

We all got the Fuzz

2009-12-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

Gil Hedley is one of my own personal Heroes. I had the opportunity to learn about him via a fellow therapist, Tjasa Torres (located in Gainesville, FL) and immediately knew that he was someone who knew what he was talking about. The video was an integrative approach to cadaver dissection. It was beautiful and breathtaking and non-clinical. By clinical, I mean dry and boring. His was the opposite. A genius aspect to his video were interspersed shots of rivers and waterfalls, meant, I assume, to keep the dissection from becoming too intense.

This video is something that EVERYONE should watch. Its importance is pretty self-explanatory. Let me know your thoughts, too! Sharing is how we learn, people. And one thing is true, we all have a body and we all got the fuzz.

To Learn more about Gil, visit his website

You Are On Your Way!

2009-12-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog, dedicated solely to wellness and bodywork. I hope that you find these posts helpful in your pursuit towards health. I will be continually adding ideas and tips that I find helpful. I will also be posting any massage specials that I am running, as well as answering any questions related to bodywork and/or my practice that you might have. Your comments are welcome and appreciated. Thanks for stopping by!