Stretching for a better immune system!

Seeing as I'm always sick, I should probably do anything I can to stay healthy.

Today, I dabbled with stretching. Inversions in particular are supposed to be particularly immune-boosting. By inversion, I mean anything where your legs are over your head and you are virtually upside-down.

I thought a good shoulder stand would do just the trick  (see the picture for a much sexier version of what I just did). I feel better already! Maybe.

More information from Martha:

Help your body ward off infections this winter by practicing the following routine. Its twists, backbends, and inversions stimulate your main immunity components -- the adrenal glands and lymphatic system -- helping them perform better.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Stretching Solutions 

Rewarding

Today, I want to leave you all with a short, but sweet message from Martha Stewart's Whole Living section:

On Rewards, she writes: "With each challenge comes new growth. Engage in rewarding efforts."

Today, I rewarded myself with a long talk with one of the medical students, drinks and dinner with an old friend and a nice long shower. 

Not bad for a long, tiring day.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Life

Gemini

Who knew Martha had horoscopes on her website?! This is a perfect day for and easy, non-work intensive post as inferno outside (over 100, 45% humidity, weather warnings), I have a mound of secondaries (read: 17+) to write this week and I volunteered Monday and Tuesday (I'm a REALLY good person). 

Of course, it's not super encouraging when your horoscope reads like an add for Prozac...

"July and August will usher a fair amount of worry into your sphere"... NO S&@% SHERLOCK! At least it's accurate? Deep breaths, deep breaths.

Gemini (May 21 to June 21)

July and August will usher a fair amount of worry into your sphere. Though it may seem counterintuitive, proceed with the most open heart you can muster. Only from a place of honesty can you safely get involved without putting your emotions -- and psychological well-being -- at risk.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Your Monthly Horoscope

Passion, flower-style

Isn't this flower incredible? If I could make an outfit out of it, I would. In fact, I still might.

Given the stress of my life lately, I could really use a natural relaxer. This is where passionflower comes in. Even though its name implies it would only hype me up, passionflower, as Martha explains, tends to calm, not excite. As she writes, "passionflower can be used anytime of day to settle a racing mind or at night to set the stage for a peaceful sleep."

It can be used as a tea made from the dried leaves or flowers or taken in a teaspoon of warm water. Now, I need to hunt down some passionflower at my local health food store and relax away. This is shaping up to be my new source of peace against the tide of madness. After all, everyone needs a moment of zen every now and again.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Herb of the Month: Passion Flower

Work is a pain in the...

After a lovely trip to my friend's cabin in Vermont last weekend, I have been left pretty sore from the long car ride. In particular, I have some pretty annoying leg cramps that are partiuclarly painful.

I found a Martha article that offered some words of advice: "Wipe Out Office Aches and Pains". I turned to the stretch meant for legs, figuring it would work on some pains caused by sitting for a long while.

I sat on a chair in my apartment and brought each knee in succession up to my chest and held for 15 seconds or so. When I released, I definitely felt some tension fading away in my legs, a welcome reprieve from the tightness. I'll have to try this while I'm working as well!

Instructions:

LegsMore than any other part of the body, the legs are built primarily for movement. Sitting and keeping them still all day impedes their function, according to Orr, restricting circulation to the lower extremities and causing your hip, knee, and ankle joints to become stiff and inflexible.

Solution: Knee into chestWhat it does: Stretches the hamstrings, hips, and lower back.
How to do it: Sit tall at the edge of your chair with legs in line with your hips. Interlace your fingers behind your right thigh, and bring your right knee into your chest; hold it there. Keep your spine tall as you inhale for a count of five, then exhale for a count of five. Take five breaths. Switch sides and repeat.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Wipe Out Office Aches and Pains

Oatmeal for your face

My only memories of using oatmeal as a skin product are traumatizing and involve one horrible case of the chicken pox, my best friend who I infected and a communal oatmeal bath that might have soothed a little, but still left me feeling itchy.

Thankfully, those days are in the past. Now, oatmeal is my daily breakfast (the instant kind, of course), but I haven't found a medicinal purpose for it in years.

Martha is bringing it back, however. In her section on "Crazy Beauty Tricks That Really Work," she touts the powers of oatmeal: soothing, anti-inflammatory, rich in beta glucan a "soluble fiber that creates a tin, moisture-retaining film on the surface of the skin."

I decided to give it a try. She recommended that I place whole oats in a washcloth, secure with a rubber band and wet with warm water. Then, I took the warm water, now cloudy and splashed it on my face. I air-dried, per her instructions.

I might not have the chicken pox, but this definitely left me feeling moisturized and calmed from the stress of the day. Plus, now I smell like breakfast!

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Crazy Beauty Tricks That Really Work

Heart health

Once I started exercising, I thought I was set. I try to work out three times a week (ok, more like two), I'm eating right, I don't have a nasty drug habit... so I'm healthy, right?

I guess you can always do more. Martha is constantly reminding me of that. In a good way!

Today, I turned to Martha for some heart health tips, or as she calls it "Tips to Tone Your Ticker."

I definitely have 3 down pat and 5 is a given seeing as I live in a walk up. 2 is really useful - I'm planning on doing that come work on Monday. And I do find 7 intriguing... Martha never ceases to surprise me.

Tips for a healthy heart: (from http://www.wholeliving.com/article/heart-smart-workout-tips)

1. Take your meetings on the road by turning a sit-down session into a walk-and-talk.

2. Set an alarm to remind you to stand up at least once every hour.

3. Go dancing once a week.

4. Don't take your TV commercials sitting down. Get up and move around; do a few jumping jacks or physical chores until the program comes back on.

5. Skip the elevator and take the stairs.

6. Play the "Dance Dance Revolution" video game (you don't have to be a kid to enjoy it).

7. Have (more) sex.

8. Get a cardio workout DVD and do it once or twice a week.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Heart-Smart Workout: Tips to Tone Your Ticker

Exercising... cat style?

Given the current weather conditions it's about time I began to focus my exercise on my arms. Yes, I'm skinny but no, I'm not toned.

Hopefully, the "Active Cat" pose suggested by Martha will help make my delts a little more fab and a little less flab.



Upper Body: Active Cat (from Martha Stewart):

What it does: Strengthens the entire front and back of the upper body, as well as the lower back and glutes in a Vinyasa-type flow.
How to do it: Start in a modified push-up position, knees on the floor. Inhale and lift your right leg up and back, opening up the hip and working the lower back. Exhale, lowering the upper body to 3 to 5 inches above the mat. Inhale and return to push-up position, and then exhale, curling your body under and drawing your right knee into your forehead. (See next slide.) Repeat with the other leg. Alternate, doing 3 to 5 reps on each side.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Your Best Body For Summer

Martha Gone Wild

Well obviously Martha has a wild side (see: her jail time, modeling days). So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that her Whole Living Challenge of the day was... drum roll please... to sleep naked.

Of course, I don't own the luxurious sheets she describes but I guess my comfy Target ones will just have to do!


From http://wholelivingdaily.wholeliving.com/2011/06/challenge-of-the-day-sleep-naked.html:

"It may feel a little strange at first, but give it a try. Break out the luxurious bedding and forgo the nightgown. You'll appreciate your sheets and your sensual side in a whole new way -- you may never reach for jammies again!"

Hot, hot, hot

It was a high of 95 degrees today. Summer is (unofficially) here!

As much as I love the heat there is one thing I don't love so much: what it does to my makeup. By the time I arrived at work today, I had sweated through everything I looked like a shiny mess. Let me just say that this is just not a good look for me. If it wasn't enough to be unbearably pale, even after days of Jergins gradual tanning, I now look ridiculously shiny too.

In a situations such as this, what would the forever-cool Martha Stewart wear? How do all the endlessly fashionable New York women always look so perfectly primped when I look like I'm in the middle of a sweat lodge appointment?

I found a Martha wedding article called, "Beat the Heat: Summer Makeup Tips" that had some great pointers that I'm all set to try tomorrow. Most notably:

1. Dust a moisture-absorbing powder, from your bra line to your feet. I invested in baby powder, for 3 dollars for this very purpose. It sounds a bit ridiculous, but anything's worth a try at this point
2. Put cucumbers in your water. Now this just sounds fancy and refreshing, plus, cucumbers are extremely moisturizing and will keep you from being dehydrated.
3. As far as hair goes, Martha suggests that one avoid alcohol-based gels, which can dry hair, attract moisture, and give strands a fuzzy finish. Instead, she recommends that you apply a smoothing serum to damp hair before drying it.

 

Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com for more tips: Beat the Heat: Summer Makeup Tips

Tendonitis fix

For the past month or so, my right wrist has been acting up. My doctor calls it tendonitis. I call it "I slept on it funny."

Either way, it's not pretty. In between icing, taking Allieve twice a day and using an ace bandage, I am usually really uncomfortable and restricted... which is no good.

Today, I decided to try the "Martha method," Wrist Stretches. I guess these aren't really a quick fix, but I figured it would be worth a try. At least, it couldn't hurt (too badly).

How to Do It
1. Sit or stand with spine tall, and extend your left arm out so your wrist is directly in front of your left shoulder, palm facing down.
2. Bend your wrist to point your fingers toward the floor, then rotate the wrist so the fingers point to your right.
3. Use the palm of your right hand to gently push the back of your left hand. To intensify the stretch, curl the left fingers into a fist. Switch and repeat.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Wrist Stretches

Post stretch, I do feel better. Perhaps this is all in my head, but who knows! We'll see how it feels tomorrow.

Fabulous

I think I finally figured out why I love Martha so much. Maybe it's just the post-final wine talking, but I saw something on her website today that made me think she was speaking just to me: Martha Stewart has an article on VINTAGE SHOPPING.

Aka my favorite hobby.

Fantastic.

Of course, it's a short part of a short article on how to pick out "Healthy Clothing and Linens." It's good to know that while being super fun, vintage shopping is also "healthy"! Now I can just pretend this is what I had intended all along....

And now, to bed. I am post-final and ready for my beauty sleep.

More Details (from http://www.marthastewart.com/272689/healthy-clothing-and-linens):
More CarefulTry shopping at vintage and secondhand stores. Decorating with vintage linens, in particular, is a wonderful way to add character to your home. Give things that you no longer need to friends or charities. Reuse items that can't be passed along -- make T-shirts into rags or transform old sheets into children's costumes.

Vitamin C

Remember that song called "Graduation" that one hit wonder called Vitamin C sang back in the day? It always brings me back.

Of course, in this case, I'm not talking about that pretty blonde girl who made all our high school graduation memories. I am talking about the real thing.

As Martha Stewart, or, more likely, someone on her website writes: "To help delay the onset of lines and wrinkles, up your antioxidants: vitamins A, C, and E." I was sold at "wrinkles."

Always the superficial one, I am willing to stock up on vitamins if it means that my skin will age less. Looks like I need to make sure I'm getting my A, C and E... ASAP.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Beauty Basics: Great Skin for Life

Health check

After three months, it was time to re-check my blood to make sure that my vitamin D had gone up (thanks to daily supplements) and my hemoglobin a1c and cholesterol had gone down.

And guess what... I passed!

I give most of the credit for this achievement to the domestic goddess herself: Martha Stewart. For inspiring me to cook for myself, substitute healthy things and think more deeply about what I put in my body, I am thankful for Martha and this blog.

Of course, this isn't the end. In fact, I am just beginning to get my eating habits under control, just starting to take the gym and exercise seriously. In sum, I have a long way to go.

Today, I decided to check out WholeLiving to see what tips Martha had for continuing on my healthy path. Immediately I found exactly what I was looking for: an article entitled "Breaking Bad Eating Habits."

Mindfulness, as obvious as that sounds, is the key here (at least according to the article). I find this resonates with my own life. Too often I have amazing dinner plans in my head; the quinoa, cucumber, broccoli that I will top with balsamic for a light but filling dinner. And too often do I get a veggie burger and fries instead. But at least I'm aware of this, right?

For other tips and tricks to breaking bad eating habits, check out the article at: http://www.wholeliving.com/article/break-bad-eating-habits?czone=wellness%2Fhealthy-age%2Fhealthy-age-antiaging .

Flashback to yesterday

In a dramatic turn, blogger went down yesterday... in a big way. As in, it went into read-only mode for almost 12 hours. This, of course, was not conducive to me posting what I had intended to post. Given this, I will be posting two entries today! Which is exciting!

First of all, let's talk plane travel. Or, more specifically, let's talk Martha's tips for plane travel. I am currently, and finally, home in Los Angeles after a long 5+ hour flight from New York. As a certified expert in plane travel after years of flight back and forth from east to west coasts.

My typical routine is to stay up as late as possible the night before, perhaps take a few benedryl and attempt to sleep for the entire flight. This time, I decided to travel Martha's way.

According to Martha, or, more accurately, her experts, the following tips are important to keep in mind during mind-numbing flights:

1. Hydrate: recycled plane air can totally dry you out
2. Move around: as I have been told time after time, sitting for long periods of time is just not good for you.
3. Employ headphones: I mean, duh.
4. Aromatherapy: Nice smells can calm you on long, turbulent flights.
5. Spa visit upon arrival: Ok, Martha not everyone has this luxury! I wish!

All in all, these aren't bad tips, but for a travel expert like me, I'm ready to go in my own way... maybe even without Martha's help.

For more detail, visit: http://www.wholeliving.com/article/relaxed_travel_tips_

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope everyone had a fantastic day with their mothers! I am very lucky to have a wonderful mother who has supported me through 22 (soon-to-be 23) years of life, through thick and thin.

As I am currently in New York, I will be celebrating with my family next weekend when I finally get to visit home in Los Angeles again.

Until then, I'm focusing on stress relief. Going home has always been a huge stress reliever for me, but to tide me over, there are a few things I'm going to try.

For today, I picked one of Martha's excellent suggestions: take just 30 seconds to stretch out and collect yourself when things are getting tense. Mid-a boring read about evolution (which is usually very interesting, but which my textbook makes painful uninteresting), the crick in my neck got unbearable. So I took just a few seconds to stretch it, and the rest of my body. I did some meditative breathing exercises and some child's pose too.

It only took a bit, and I felt instantly better. Taking a few seconds, or minutes, to refocus does wonders for snapping me out of discomfort. Of course, this isn't a perfect remedy, but it's a little thing that made endless reading just a little bit easier.

I am going to have to use this for my final in a few weeks.

More information (from Martha Stewart):

Quick Fixes for Everyday Disasters

Save the Day

The phone is ringing, you've just received an annoying email from a coworker, and there's a big meeting in 10 minutes.
Here in the real world, you've got two choices: Ignore the crick in your neck, wash your panic down with coffee and a pastry, and forge ahead, hoping the sugar crash doesn't come too quickly. Or, take 30 seconds to stretch tight muscles, try a stress-busting breathing exercise, or quiet your thoughts with a quick meditation technique.
Based on yoga, traditional Chinese medicine, and herbalism, the following strategies -- adapted from "The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide" by Kate Hanley -- can empower you to get calmer, more resilient, and happier in the midst of even the most chaotic day.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Step 3: Learn to Cope

Friday night shenanigans

I am karaoke-ing in t-minus 1-hour. Actually now in t-minus a few minutes. To power-boost for such an event, I turned to my favorite: quinoa.

This is my FAVORITE ever.

Plus, it is ACTUALLY good for you... as opposed to all those other things they tell you are good for you but really aren't. Like most things that are "high in protein."

For guidance, I turned to Martha's article on Whole Grain Products.

The article, and it's interesting tips, is at the link below:

http://www.marthastewart.com/287019/health-food-myths

Compassionate

A study out of UCSF (aka a medical school that is so beyond my reach it's essentially orbiting another planet) has shown the the richer you are, the worse you are at reading the emotions of others. In other words, DUH. 

Even though I make a modest salary and am fresh out of college, I think that I can definitely benefit from some perspective and a self-evaluation of my own level of compassion for others. Conveniently, this was Martha's Whole Living Challenge of the Day yesterday: to Be Compassionate. 


She suggests a zen approach, which literally consists of conjuring up an image of a loved one and repeating to ones self good things about this person. Although this seems silly, it's essentially nothing more than praying for someone... minus the whole higher being part. Since I have been meaning to get my prayer on a bit more and to get back into my Jewish practice because I have been totally slacking, I figured this would be a great start. 


Plus, it's Martha Stewart-approved! That's the best.


From http://wholelivingdaily.wholeliving.com/2011/05/todays-challenge-practice-empathy.html:

Challenge of the Day: Be Compassionate Posted by Whole Living Action Plan

The wealthier you are, the less adept you may be at reading another person’s emotions. So says researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. No matter where you fall on the socio-economic scale, empathy and compassion are skills that can be honed. In her book Real Happiness, meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg suggests building your empathy muscles by sitting quietly and calling up an image of someone you love while repeating silently, "May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease." Try it when you find yourself sitting still today—on the bus, at the doctor's office, or before bed.

Exhausted

I'm tired. Just full on exhausted.

For some reason I have developed insomnia and that coupled with too much fun last night and a long day of volunteer training I need sleep.

Thanks to Martha, I've discovered a few tips. I am trying the one below in t-minus two minutes and hope that it will work wonders!

Can't Sleep? Exhale Mr. Sandman's lost your number, and left you crying for a little shut-eye. You can do this breathing technique when you're lying in bed and exhausted: It helps you purge any tension and can take your attention off your thoughts.
Remedy: Extended-exhale breathing
Time: As long as you like
Lie on your back. Place a pillow under your head and one under your knees to encourage your lower back and abdomen to relax completely, which enables you to breathe more deeply. Rest your hands on your belly and feel your hands rise as you inhale and fall on the exhale. Once this has helped you calm down a little, inhale for a count of four and exhale for a count of eight. If this count causes you any strain, modify it to a more appropriate length, with the exhale twice as long as the inhale. Repeat until you feel yourself getting sleepy, verrrrry sleeeeeepyyyy.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Step 3: Learn to Cope

Congestion, needs a cure

Ok. So I have been really lame this week with posts. This in part due to the fact that I am just beginning to work on my medical school applications, and partially due to the fact that I am currently so congested I feel like I'm high.

Again, I am hoping that Martha has the cure. Today, I tried a nice steamy shower.  More specifically, I tried the second method (described below), wherein you make a tent with a boiling pot of water and a towel covering your face. Although this didn't help with my sneezing (100+ times today so far), it did clear me up significantly. I am getting so desperate I am also considering investing in some eucalyptus, camphor or menthol, which Martha suggests amplify the effect of the steamy shower. I tried the second method (described below), wherein you make a tent with a boiling pot of water and a towel covering your face.

I promise to pick things up again soon... provided my med school stuff gets sorted out and my sneezing ceases.  If worse comes to worse, I can always stop by Beth Israel Hospital and visit the expert who Martha quotes in her article, below.


From marthastewart.com: 

Q: Can steam really ease congestion?

A: Yes, it's one of the best things for it, especially when used with essential oils like eucalyptus, menthol, or camphor. Steam keeps sinus membranes moist and helps phlegm soften and drain. When an infection takes hold, mucus production increases and becomes difficult to move out.
Unlike some drying medications, steam works with the body to help it heal. What's more, moist air can reach deep into the sinus cavity to loosen blockages; the oils add expectorant, decongestant, and germicidal properties.

The easiest way to use steam involves a towel tent. Pour boiling water into a bowl, let it cool for one minute, then add two drops of the oil. Place a towel over your head, close your eyes, and lean over the bowl to inhale the vapors. (Keep your face at least six inches away from the water.)
Repeat twice a day when congested, or even as a preventive measure. If congestion lasts for more than 10 days, see your doctor. And ask about these and any complementary or alternative medicine treatments before you try them.
Dr. Merrell is chairman of the Department of Integrative Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and coauthor of "Power Up: Unleash Your Natural Energy, Power Up Your Health, and Feel 10 Years Younger."