FEB 08

THE LITTLE MASSAGE CLINIC

Ahh….Love is in the air….

& once again we are reminded that we have another tradition that has been hi-jacked by an industry wanting to make a juicy profit as our consciences are reminded that we are only good partners if we produce the obligatory hearts & flowers ……

CUPID……draw back your bow…..

……and let your arrow flow, straight to my lover's heart….for meeeeeee!

And aren't you glad you can't hear my dulcet tones; singing is not my strong point as close friends & family will verify!

I remember when I was younger, I too was suckered into purchasing something for my sweetheart Rob every Valentine's Day.

However, I usually picked up something a little quirky that would make him smile. When I was 20, maybe 21, I recall buying him an African bow & arrow from a shop which sold beautiful African artefacts. He was touched & tickled at the same time. We had to handle & store them carefully as they were lethal!

In return, Rob would obligingly buy me the obligatory lingerie, flowers etc despite feeling very strongly that it was all consumer hype.

So we chatted over time about our feelings on this, & agreed that romance should not be restricted to one day a year, but all year round.

We would pick our romantic moments, do thoughtful things, loving gestures. Sometimes it comes naturally, other times it takes more effort, but agreeing to keep it in the forefront of your mind can help keep your relationship alive & full of love…..

……& what about, loving ourselves?

Where is the romance & love we deserve to give ourselves. Sometimes we give ourselves a hard time for our mistakes in life & self-loathing can settle in.

I know none of us are perfect, but give yourself a break & acknowledge that it is human to err.

It is healthy to forgive yourself & let things go. Learn from your mistakes, do better & move on. Carrying around the burden of guilt unnecessarily is unhealthy & can manifest in a number of stress related health problems.

Forgiving others is a wonderful way to allow love to flow too. It is the best gift you can give yourself as you release the weight of carrying resentment, anger & other negative emotions.

Negative emotions again can manifest as health problems. Not so daft sounding, as every emotion has a physical effect on our bodies which is why the mind & body are so intrinsically linked.

For example, when you feel anger, this stimulates your adrenal glands which releases adrenalin. This is converted in our bodies into cortisone, which in excess clogs up veins & arteries, which in turn can lead to high blood pressure, angina & heart related problems.
So you can see why affairs of the heart can quite literally affect the heart physically too.

So don't sweat the small stuff, & let the love flow…..

……& if you fancy loving yourself or anyone else either for Valentine's or at any other time during the year here are some ways to express your loving:

•  love yourself & drink 3-5 pints more water; it will lift your mood & energy levels so you have the get up & go for more loving

•  eat 7-9 portions of fresh fruit & veg every day. Again it keeps your energy levels high & cruciferous vegetables like broccoli & cauli are great for a healthy prostate.

•  Eating dark chocolate releases your love hormones, here's a pdq healthy recipe:

Rob's chocolaty balls!

Half a pack or so of dates

About the same of porridge oats

Orange zest & ½ fresh squeezed orange

Coconut

100% pure cocoa (green n blacks is very yummy)

Whizz up all ingredients; you may need to play with proportions as Rob does to make it stick firmly together, then roll into small balls, & roll in more coconut.

Pop into fridge until you're ready to eat them. This is a great raw food treat with an irresistible chocolate hit!

This makes a great gift when wrapped in greaseproof paper & a pretty coloured piece of tissue. I tie it off with recycled pretty ribbon or strips of Cornish Palm leaves.

•  Love your body; eat less processed/junk food & eat more locally produced organically grown goodness.

•  Catch a romantic cliff top sunset either on your own or with a loved one….it costs nothing except your time.

•  Indulge in a bath with candles, your favourite essential oils & music, alone or with a loved one……..a glass of wine wouldn't go amiss either, but don't do what I did when I was about 20 & smash the glass hitting it off the side of the bath & lacerating my knee…..I bled most profusely….not so romantic!

•  Use 100% natural toiletries & beauty products on your body, not only are they better for your health & your environment, but they smell better too.

•  Indulge in a massage for yourself, a loved one or for both of you. A massage may feel indulgent, but the health benefits of massage as it tones every system in your body help keep you strong during & between illness are huge. Aromatherapy oils such as rose, jasmine & ylang ylang relax & soothe your cares away, encourage love & nurturing within yourself.

GIFT VOUCHERS are available online to purchase using debit & credit cards with our secure payment system.

•  Flirt was a huge best seller last year from my TLC in a Bottle range. It is a gorgeous blend of exotic, aphrodisiac essential oils which can be used as unisex perfume or as a massage oil. £14.95 from Half Moon or www.tlcinabottle.co.uk

•  Another lovely gift is Kisses from the Heart, a sumptuous hand made rose lip balm that comes in a sustainbly sourced wooden heart box & a steal at £4.95

•  Gift Boxes for men & women are available with beauty creams; rose, lavender, orange blossom flower waters, & eco skin muslin wipes for the ladies, & power moisturisers, Sage Skin Splash & shaving oil for the fellas

•  Of course there are many more gifts at Half Moon & online at www.tlcinabottle.co.uk from romantic eco candles, to creams & Magic Wands, & all with you & the planet at the heart of our ethos…..LOVE YOU, LOVE YOUR PLANET.

So whether you're going to be a soppy monkey all year round like me, or fancy making Valentine's a special day, remember to love yourself & others too. Remember that song we sang at school…it's just like a magic penny…hold it tight & you won't have any, lend it spend it and you'll have so many, they all roll over the floor, FOR, love is something if you give it away…..

Love & laughter to you all,

Nicolle Mitchell I.T.E.C., CThA

Holistic Health Therapist & Practice Manager

THE LITTLE MASSAGE CLINIC

THE PENVENTON HOTEL & HALF MOON SALON

TEL: 01209 203230 OR 711686

Email: nicolle@tlcinabottle.co.uk

DISCLAIMER: we do not diagnose or guarantee cures. We aim to help people make informed choices about their health. Any changes in lifestyle, diet, medication, supplementation or remedies, should be taken with your GP's or health professional's support.

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