{ Mineral Marge }

In 2001 I came across some information on the Internet about Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy ®. Bonnie is a remarkable woman who has led the way in the importance of physical fitness. It was later in life that Bonnie developed Myotherapy as a method for addressing pain caused by muscle spasms. It just so happened that there was a myotherapist not too far from where I live. I made an appointment with Mary Lou Maxon (Phone 585-593-5685), a Myotherapist in Wellsville, NY, in the fall of 2001. Mary Lou taught me self-help techniques that include using stretching exercises, a crook and a bodo. I also have found a very handy tool from Ted Liese called a PainStick™. It mounts to the wall or doorway. I use it for the spots that are difficult for me to reach with the crook. I paid $42 plus packaging and shipping for my PainStick™. You can contact Ted at PO Box 681507, Park City, UT 84068 or call 435-901-9237.

Even though we've just entered the summer season, I see people with stuffy noses who are coughing and sneezing and I'm doing my best to keep the germs at bay. Alcohol-based sanitizers are popular for killing germs. I used to use them, too, but I had to stop because the alcohol was too harsh on my skin. Then I found an effective non-alcohol product called PureWorks, originally designed for health care workers. PureWorks is gentle on my skin, yet it is effective in killing 99.9% of bacteria and germs that cause illness. Another thing I like about PureWorks is it has persistence. In other words, unlike alcohol-based products, PureWorks can keep working for hours. I've gotten in the habit of applying it throughout the day. PureWorks comes in foam, spray, and lotion form as a sanitizer to carry with you. PureWorks also makes a soap product and a hard surface disinfectant. I keep them all handy. ( www.GermZappers.com )

This just goes to show you that in-store sampling does pay off. I'm always looking for snacks that are fairly low carb. About two months ago while shopping at the Williamsport Wegmans, a sampling table was set up with Summer Fresh Power+Hummus ( www.SummerFresh.com ). The Apple & Cinnamon flavor was an instant hit with me! Adding to the fact that it's tasty, it also comes in a convenient 6-pack snack set. The label states that it is gluten free and each 57g container boasts only 80 calories and 14g of carbohydrate. I spoon it right out of the container when I want a little treat. I'm sure it would taste great on whole-grain crackers, too.

Here's a product I discovered recently from a friend's recommendation. It's called CherryPharm All Natural 100% Juice and was developed at Cornell University. There are currently three formulations - Natural Health, Natural Recovery and Natural Fruit. I found their Natural Health version at Wegmans, but you can also order online at http://www.cherrypharm.com/. I thought the Natural Health version was delicious, but it was a little tart to some of my family members, so I added some xylitol to sweeten it. According to the website, the Natural Fruit version is a bit sweeter tasting. It's high in antioxidants and there's oodles of additional information about the benefits on the CherryPharm website.

The past several years have been a real journey for me. I became interested in eating with the objective to promote well-being. A new idea? Hardly. This subject has been talked about for ages. But it was new to me, and the message was very simple and clear - eat real food. I started making my meals with fresh and wholesome ingredients. I bought a juicer and started using it. I learned about the digestive system, how enzymes are needed for good absorption, and how oftentimes the enzymes are already in the fresh foods themselves. I learned why supplementation can be helpful. I took a class on essential oils. The subject of nutrition and wellness fascinates me. I will write about things I learn, products I discover, stores I frequent, restaurants I visit - things that work for me.