As the year of 2007 is about to end, I always reflect at the year I have had, and I am thankful and have alot of gratitude for the love of family and friends I have in my life.  In May of 2007 I attended a retreat, with my Mother, a very good friend and her mother.  This is an annual retreat we go to, and I always come away inspired.  This retreat was just different for me, and very special. It was the last that I would attend at the Dominican Retreat House in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania for it was closing its doors. I would no longer walk the grounds and bask in the beauty of the perfectly landscaped lawns, with azealas covering the property.  The beautiful chapel inside, and the kindness of the sisters during the retreat.  I would have the memory of those years of prayer, meditation and awareness on this beautiful estate in Elkins Park.  My last retreat inspired my life from that day on I will never be the same.  I listened to a serman by a priest, so intently I new from that day on I had become a different person, and I must and will realize that each day in my life is a gift.  And that I must take that gift and make the very most of it each and every day.  The priest read this poem to group of retreaters, that day and I want to share it with you.  Maybe you can see what I mean and understand the beautiful meaning behind the poem.

THE DASH   Written by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone, from the beginning….to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all…was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on the earth and now only those who loved her know what the little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash… What matters is how we live and love… and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;  are there things you’d like to change?  For you never know how much time is left that can still rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s the truth and real… and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives… like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read… with your life’s actions to rehash… would you be proud of the things that they say… about how you spent your dash?

thanks, for taking the time to read the poem.  Living in my dash, Donna Kimmel

Water is a major component to any healthy weight-loss plan.  People who drink an average of six and a half cups of water each day consume 200 fewer calories a day, according to a recent study.  Experts arent sure if water itself quenchs the appetite, but it is clear that water drinkers are healthier overall.  They tend to drink less carbonated drinks and have better eating habits.  Drinking water can be distracting, you may be less likely to reach for the cookies or chips if you have a tall glass of water next to you.  Many nutritionists recommend drinking water, when a craving first hits to delay and potentially even prevent an emotional eating binge.  It’s also good to hydrate when you feel the urge to eat just to make sure you’re not confusing hunger for thirst.

Water isn’t only a weight-loss aid, though.  It’s necessary for all physiological processes, including digestion and calorie burning.  If you are consuming more fiber-rich foods, such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, drinking water can help prevent constipation.  Another plus, water can help with your workouts, making them easier.  When you exercise your muscles actually hold on to water. If you are not hydrated you’re preventing your muscles from operating at full capacity.  You’re more likely to feel fatigued when you are thirsty, too.  And, finally studies show drinking water can help dilute toxins and flushes them from your system, reducing the amount of time they are in your body. 

Water, after a massage helps flush out the toxins in your body, that were released during the massage. It also helps with muscle recovery, and inflammation.  So workout, get your massage regularly, eat healthy and drink the water!!

What a difference it makes in your every-day life to have plenty of pep!  Every day your health condition is undergoing subtle changes thay you may not notice.  Over the span of months or years, these changes finally become apparent.  It’s like sitting in a well-lit room and someone slowly turning down  the dimmer switch on the lighting.  It happens so gradually that you are unaware of the diminishing amount of light until you eventually realize its becoming difficult to see.

Your health can have similar changes.  Have you found yourself breathing hard halfway up a flight of stairs that you used to be able to climb easily- two steps at a time?  As you wonder how these changes crept up on you, know that reclaiming your energy and stamina is possible.   A good starting point is to gradually and consistently increase your level of physical activity.  Physical activity and movement are vital to maintaining your health.  It increases muscles mass, oxgenation of the cells, promote the elimination of toxins thru sweating.  Physical activity also stimulates immune function, improves memory and cognitive function, strengthens bones, and speeds the burning of fat. 

Everyone has experienced a decrease of energy during illness. And I speak from experience as I have had this recently during the holiday season.  When illness or injuries occur, the body contributes to healing by directing available energy in an effort to return to a state of health.  You know when your body has done its job, because you feel your energy level return.  But what about when you don’t seem to have the same spark you once did?  Many things can affect you energy level.  For instance, digestion requires alot of energy.  When you eat certain foods or consume a large meal, it can make you feel tired.  Those who get little physical exercise are more likely to have lower energy levels as well.

As said by Dr. A Schmidt from his book titled, “Tired of Being Tired,”  “We are not healthy one minute and sick the next, the progression from optimal health to disease is a gradual descent that passes thru phases.  The decent can take many years and involve many stressors.  Likewise, the road back to optimum health is a continuum that takes time.”

“It is important to consider that much illness arises out of the imbalance rather than a specific thing.  By restoring balance, many of the problems that afflict people today can be remedied.”  as Dr. Schmidt has said, “I have seen a significant number of patients report near-miraculous recoveries by changing how they live, eat, behave and view life, in essence by restoring balance.”  Before you attempt to make this major change in your life, you may want to try some basic strategies to help boost your energy.

Exercise= Energy

Eat food that optimizes your mood

Stretch everyday

Practice deep breathing

Evaluate your sleep needs

Develop a positive attitude

Eliminate refined sugar for two months

Avoid caffeine, aspartame, and alcohol

LAUGH

Reach out to others

Build your muscles to generate energy

Drink adequate amounts of water

Breathe fresh air

GET MASSAGE

Therapeutic massage can be a valuable part of any effort to boost energy and restore balance.  Massage can improve your immunity, promote circulation, improve digestion, reduce muscle tension, reduce the stress response, stimulate the elimination of metabolic toxins that build up in body tissues, and stimulates the nervous system.  It also satisfies a need for touch that is needed by every human being.  Give your energy a boost by including regular massage in your health plans!

SLEEP MAKES YOU SMARTER!

When you are working on a knotty problem, it actually does help to sleep on it.  A German study found that our brains continue to work on baffling problems while we sleep, allowing us to wake up with new insights.  Researchers gave subjects math problems that involved transforming a string of eight numbers into a new string according to a mathematical rule.  And then gave  a shortcut to solving the problem.  After working on the problem for a while some subjects slept for eight hours, before continuing their efforts in solving the problem.  Others stayed awake all night.  Another group worked on the problem in the morning and returned to if after an eight-hour break.  The people who slept were almost three times more likely to figure out the shortcut than the other two groups, that hadn’t slept.  The results showed that the brain, restructures memories during sleep, so we wake up with a fresh new perspective.  The study shows the importance of getting a good night’s rest.  So, sleep….. and sleep eight hours a night, wait till you see how much more insight you have the next day. Be aware of your fresh new look at yesterday’s problem.

SEASON’S GREETINGS!  Are you prepared or this year’s holiday season?  Life is so busy, but it seems to get busier  this time of year.  The season can be much better if you focus your time and attention on the things that are most important to you.  It can be a great time to step back from the challenges of life and devote some time to the people who mean the most to you.

As you start the holiday shopping, keep in mind that massage gift certificates make a wonderful gift for just about everyone.  You can give the gift of health and relaxation.  In the category of savings you can download and print a coupon for your gifts of massage.

Here are some hints for a healthy holiday:

Know when to say, “No, thanks.”  There is so much to do a this time of year, and many people just can’t say “No.”  Do what you can, but remember you need to take care of yourself too. 

Plan ahead.  With so many parties, and delicious treats, plan what parties you will attend. And also, what you will spluge on at the party. Remember, your body will pay the price if you chose to overindulge, so try to decide in advance how to handle the holiday feasting.  Drink plenty of water, to help cleanse your body internally.Feeling valuable contributes to your happiness.  Include in your life activities, things that give you a sense of purpose. Helping other people, giving of yourself, making that phone call to someone you haven’t taked to in awhile. 

Take care of yourself with massage.  De-stress, stay relaxed, keep yourself hydrated and don’t let the pressures of the season ruin your holiday experience.  Take some time for yourself, just for you and put the rest of the world on hold for a couple of hours.  When you make the commitment to do that, you and your life will be better for it.

Results from a study conducted by Lluminari, a health education firm show how stress is affecting the health of many Americans working today.  Both men and women have increased cardiovascular problems, depression and high susceptibility to infectious disease.  Women are more at risk for cardiovasular problems. Massage can help with the stress level of the overworked employee and increase circulation, gain better sleep  and aide in healing migranes.  Sitting can also exacerbate low back pain, massage might therefore benefit women and men.  Headaches are a common complaint by many.  There are several types of headaches, including tension, sinus, migraine, and cluster with tension headaches.  Tension headaches are caused by stress, anxiety, fatigue or anger and are flet in the head and neck area.   Migranes can be caused by certain foods, hormonal changes, weather and stress. Sinus headaches are usually brought about by an allergic reaction or infection.  Studies by the Touch Research Institute have shown both migranes and tension headaches respond well to massage.  Benefits of the migrane study included more headache-free days, better sleep, less anxiety, and an increase in serotonin levels.  With massage shown to get this kind of results, doesn’t it make sense that regular massage sessions could help to lessen the onset of headaches? 

ITS HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIME!  THIS YEAR, SHARE THE GIFT OF HEALTH WITH A MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATE.  IT’S QUICK, EASY AND SURE TO PLEASE!  WHAT COULD BE BETTER?  CALL TODAY!   267-988-8700

THE HEALING HOUR:MASSAGE THERAPY WITH DONNA KIMMEL

Donna Kimmel believes in living the good life. For her that is defined by spending time with her children and friends, taking in a rowdy Sixer’s game, a local musical or the soaring sounds of opera, doing a job she loves and promoting a stress-free lifestyle.

Luckily, the average guy and gal  can also enjoy the benefits of Collegethe good life by visiting Donna in her professional capacity; massage therapist. In her new location, 111 Buck Road Office Complex, Building 300, Suite 100, Donna creates a soothing atmosphere where clients can shed the troubles of the day and relax under Donna’s trained hands.

Schooled in massage therapy through classes at Langhorne’s Professional School of Massage, Penn State, Frankford Hospital, and Bucks County Community College. Donna has been relieving knots of tension and aching muscles for over seven years.

“I had a more traditional job previously,”  Donna detailed, “but found that I was missing important events in my children’s lives and I was looking for an alternative to the stress, hours and chain of command that characterized my working days.Being a massage therapist is a great fit for me professionally as I enjoy helping people, promoting a healthy and positive lifestyle and my tall frame and large hands are good assets, allowing for leverage and reach.”

A former athlete, Donna instinctively knows how to help heal and strenghten bodies to allow for increased flexibility and range of motion in addition to using a therapeutic touch on forms that are less active.  Massage can relieve stress, increase circulation, relieve pain and even reduce cellulite and is a valuable resource in coping with mental, emotional and physical bruises tha accumulate in daily life.

There are several types of body manipulations available, although it is not unusual for Donna to combine techniques from different styles to achieve the best results for a particular client.  Deep-tissue workouts undo knots of tension or areas of inflammation, stretching and healing muscles while sports massage aids in preventing injuries in athletes by keeping the sportsperson loose and flexible.  Swedish massage, the most common form, offers a relaxing and energizing that also soothes the body’s tight spots.  Donna also provides chair massages which focus on the shoulders and upper and lower back while th client stays fully clothed and upright in a specialize seat.

“I like to work by candlelight, with gentle music and pleasant aromas to enhance the relaxing mood.”  said Donna.

Whether the client schedules a 30 minute appointment or a full hour, Donna’s gentle but firm touch offers natural pain relief for those in physical discomfort, and massage has been shown to ease the ache of sinus ailments, migranes and other non-musclular complaints.  “Physically, mentally and emotionally, massage helps my clients by promoting a healthy body system while adding to their sense of well-being and total relaxation.

All body types, sizes and shapes are welcome, and new clients may expect to spend some time initially discussing their health, body aches or concerns, massage experiences and goals for the session or series,” explained Donna.

“That way, I know how to best address their particular complaints or objectives.”

Bring a bit of the good life to your stressful day by calling 267-988-8700 ir contact Donna through her website, www. donnakimmel.com  

Experiencing the Kimmel Center for the first time for the Christmas Show was quite special!!  I had never been there before and with the same last name you would think I would have been there long ago.  I venture quite a bit to the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA.  But this was the first time for me with my special friend PW.  I will use PW, for my good friend who may want to remain anonymous.  PW is quite a special friend to me, and is my source for all information and direction in Philadelphia. She knows it like the back of one’s hand.  She is quite amazing to me, and I am always up for a new exciting experience with PW. 

So we ventured to the Kimmel Center, it was fabulous.  I was amazed by the architecture and the open atmosphere.  As I entered to find my seat I was just amazed by the beauty of the Kimmel Center.  The show by Peter Nero and the Philly Pops was entertaining, funny, festive and really got everyone feeling pretty united as we sung Christmas Carols together. I tried to sing, but was a bit off key, PW belted out those tunes, it was alot of fun. The Avenue of the Arts offers many theaters, from the Wilma Theater, The Merriam Theater, The Academy of the Arts, and the restaurants are phenomanol and just add to the whole theater experience  So if you would like to have a wonderful Christmas experience, visit the Kimmel Center soon!!  If you would like more info. on shows at the Kimmel Center, go to www.kimmelcenter.com

Hey, heres a fun place to go to with friends or even a family get-together. I went to Mt. Fuji with friends for the hibachi grill and yes some delicious sushi. The sushi appetizer was delicious and fresh.  The staff is very friendly and accomodating.  We drank quite a few cosmopolitans, which were made to perfection.  My choice entree was salmon. The salmon was awesome, along with the little show and presentation by the chef.  My friends were happy with their entree choices, of shrimp, and the mt. fuji special.  How could we resist the desserts, fried cheesecake and a berry filled cake.  This is a great place to just kick back, laugh alot as small pieces of shrimp are being tossed at you. And you must, for the BIG CHEER catch that shrimp in your mouth!!  Have a great time, and be a little adventurous try the sushi… maybe next time, Therese and Carol…..Oh, how much fun it is to live in Richie’s world!!