Posts Tagged ‘organic’

Snowmass Wellness Experience Featuring

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

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THE SNOWMASS WELLNESS EXPERIENCE FEATURES TOP ORGANIC GARDENERS, YOGA GURUS, ORGANIC PRODUCE, AND MORE.

Tickets now on sale for this hands-on festival celebrating its 5th anniversary

Snowmass Village, CO (July 31, 2008) –The Snowmass Wellness Experience (Aug. 15-17), which was written up last year in the New York Times, celebrates its fifth anniversary and the art of healthy living from the earth up with a hands-on festival that keeps participants engaged, learning, and sampling all weekend long.

Encompassing all the elements of a balanced lifestyle, this unique wellness event offers the chance to hear nationally-respected experts and participate in enriching workshops, cooking demonstrations, al fresco yoga and pilates classes, nature walks and more.

Tickets are now on sale at www.snowmasswellness.com. For the complete schedule, ticket prices, lodging specials, and presenter information, visit the website or call 1-800-SNOWMASS.

Top Reasons to Put Wellness on Your Calendar:

Hands on: It’s a Different Type of Wellness Festival. Many wellness festivals involve sitting in lecture halls listening to speakers—that’s not our idea of Wellness! Wellness starts from the earth up, and attendees can get their hands dirty in this novel approach. Fitness classes, cooking demonstrations and tastings, how-to workshops, a green expo, nature hikes, a spirits tasting, comedy, an on-site spa, and more mean attendees aren’t merely observers– they’re participants.

Learn how to grow your own food. As fuel and food prices continue to rise, more people are interested in growing their own food. From never-evers to seasoned gardeners, the Snowmass Wellness Experience provides access to top experts who share how to grow and cook your own food and eat nutritionally and sustainably. In their ONLY Colorado appearance, internationally respected organic farmers Eliot Coleman and Barbara Damrosch of the Four Seasons Farm in Maine have over sixty years of combined experience with organic farming and will explore everything from the seduction of a kitchen garden to the how-tos of sustainable organic gardening.

It’s an Edible Extravaganza. From chocolate and yoga classes to an organic spirits tasting to cooking demos and a wellness expo with plenty of free goodies, Snowmass Wellness Experience participants won’t go home hungry. They’ll also learn how to design and incorporate edible plants into residential landscapes from Jerome Osentowski, one of the foremost permaculture practitioners in the United States who will share insights into agroforestry and other new methods of organic farming and landscaping.

Check out this Whole Food philosophy: We’re not talking a grocery store, but rather education about the entire food cycle. With the motto of Wellness From the Earth Up, The Snowmass Wellness Experience offers the chance to learn about healthy eating from a myriad of angles: growing to cooking to preserving to nutrition to incorporating food into your fitness routine.

Foster healthy eating habits. As diabetes and obesity continue to be two of the nation’s top health concerns, this festival teaches the tools needed for healthy eating. Mariana Bozesan, author of Diet for a New Life, shares her highly respected integral 8-step approach to life that also reveals the weight loss secrets of centenarians and successful dieters. Other wellness workshops include how to harvest and preserve an organic garden, how to create healthy snacks for people on the go, and how to read nutritional labels.

Focus on the moment. In his only Colorado appearance this summer, nationally respected and popular Yahoo Mind-Body Expert David Romanelli leads Yoga and Chocolate, Yoga and Wine, and Living in the Moment workshops. Romanelli is the co-founder of At One Yoga which has gained national renown by fusing Western culture’s fashion, music and technology with Eastern culture’s sacred rituals and ancient tradition. He now teaches at Exhale in California and tours the world with his Yoga and Chocolate class, designed with Vosges Haut-Chocolat founder Katrina Markoff. Diverse additional yoga and pilates workshops are available through the Shakti Foundation and the Aspen Club & Spa, including yoga guru Simon Park’s popular Thai Massage class.

Get well through laughter. Comedy can be used as a healing art, and Steve Bhaerman, has audiences laughing until the sacred cows come home while sharing insight on how to make positive changes in life. Bhaerman, who performs as Swami Beyondananda, the “Cosmic Comic,” is an internationally known author, humorist, and workshop leader and offers a comedy show and workshops at this event.

Bring it all home. How can you eat locally and sustainably at Colorado’s altitude? The Snowmass Wellness Experience brings together a talented regional roster of chefs, nutritionists, gardeners, and experts so participants can begin making connections to local sources of food, spirits, and inspiration.

Relax and Retreat. Everyone is entitled to a little R&R. Yoga classes, nature hikes, morning meditations, and a spa pavilion all offer opportunities to relax in Snowmass. Each day pass comes with one complimentary mini-spa treatment through Aspen Club & Spa, and participants are welcome to sign up for more as space allows.

Costly?  Well, no. Wellness shouldn’t come at a price that’s painful to your mind, body, or spirit. The Snowmass Wellness Experience is substantially more affordable than other wellness festivals. An all-inclusive weekend pass is only $175, while day passes, keynote speech passes and fitness/expo passes start as low as $30, allowing attendees the flexibility to see it all or just a little. For every yoga pass sold, the Shatki foundation donates $2.50 to a local nonprofit. Volunteers are needed! Earn your ticket for free! Call Anita Manchester at 923-5678 or e-mail at mtnfun@comcast.net

Lodging Specials:

Just for the Girls: August 14-18, 2008 For the ultimate girlfriends’ mountain getaway, Snowmass Village, Colorado, offers adventure, relaxation, and pure rejuvenation August 14-18, 2008. Timberline Condominium rates start as low as $52/person (double occupancy) for a deluxe studio within walking distance to all activities and includes free airport transfer and on-site yoga classes. Stay at the Timberline and additionally receive $15 off your weekend pass to the 5th annual Snowmass Wellness Experience (August 16-17). Finish off the vacation by signing up with the award-winning Snowmass Club for a special rate of two spa services for $185. To book, visit www.snowmassvillage.com

Massage in the Mountains Package. Relax and rejuvenate in the mountains with this special Snowmass package. Stay at the Silvertree Hotel and choose a spa treatment ranging from a standard massage to a Jet Lag massage to reflexology or an 85-minute couple’s massage. Rates start at $326/person based on a 2 night stay and a spa service per person per day. Package is per person based on double occupancy, not including tax. To book, visit www.snowmassvillage.com

Consider bringing your group, family reunion, or meeting to Snowmass Village. For more information on vacations, meetings, and lodging specials, visit the official Snowmass Village website at www.snowmassvillage.com or call 1.800.SNOWMASS. For media information, contact Allison Johnson at 970.309.5485 or visit www.snowmasspress.com.

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Aspen Coffee Shop

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008
parallel 15 logo Parallel 15

barista keith Goode

Coffee has always been a part of the Explore Bistro but now a new independent barista is operating on the first floor of the bookstore.  Kieth Goode decided to bring his passion for coffee, organic, and eating healthy to the rest of us.  Hence Parallel 15, named after the bean belt around the world where coffee is grown.

Practicing the true art of the barista Kieth uses a fully manual espresso machine actually “pulling” the shot producing a cup with a superb crema on top.  He is quick to point out that it is not only the organic Allegro coffee but also the organic milk that makes the lattes so tasty. Muffins, scones, and cookies (all organic and vegan) are baked by Kelly Hart.

Stop by and say Hi.  Kieth is serving out of the front window bootlegger style from 6am weekdays for the early risers (10 am weekends) closing at 9pm. When the bookstore is open you can find him in the cozy back corner. Oh and did I mention he delivers. (970) 309-6883 Explore Booksellers 221 E. Main St. Aspen, Colorado.
Click here to see the Menu

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The Healthiest Way to Eat Vegetables

Wednesday, September 5th, 2007

Phytonutrients, such as flavonoids, play an important role in preventing cancer, stroke and heart disease. It’s important to preserve as much nutrition as possible.

The absolutely best way to accomplish this is to grow your own vegetables organically, pick them fresh and eat them immediately, either raw or lightly steamed.

But who are we kidding here?

Research clearly shows Americans aren’t getting nearly enough vegetables, much less growing their own organically. Vegetables are abundantly supplied with nutrients and so important that we should all do what it takes to increase our vegetable intake.

Frozen vegetables, cooked lightly in the microwave in a covered glass dish, such as corning ware, require no extra cooking water. They steam in their own juices.

Microwave cooking can be a convenient way to put more veggies in your life. To increase phytonutrient intake, I also recommend whole food nutritional supplements.

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The Benefits of Peaches, Strawberries, and Watermelon

Monday, September 3rd, 2007

picture of fruit

By Leonore H. Dvorkin

Peaches originated in China and were introduced to California by Spanish missionaries in the 1700s. Today they are grown in 36 U.S. states. Although Georgia is called the Peach State, California produces 99% of all cling peaches.

Cooling in nature, peaches are high in fiber and in Vitamins A, C, and E. Unlike most fruits, they contain calcium. They can help ease dry coughs and relieve constipation. One medium peach provides only about 50 calories, less than the 60 calories in a medium apple. Fresh peaches are seasonal, but peaches can be enjoyed canned or frozen all year round.

A red blush on the peach indicates the variety, not ripeness. Ripeness is indicated by a peachy aroma and some softness, so choose a peach that gives slightly to palm pressure. Hard, out-of-season peaches and those with greenish skins will not ripen or become sweet, so buy them ripe and enjoy them soon.

While doing the research for this article, I ran across an ad for Zoe Juice, produced right here in Colorado from Colorado peaches and apples. It takes three peaches and two apples to make each 12-oz. bottle, which also contains 10 grams of whey protein isolate and 1 tsp. of honey for added energy. The juice is fat and lactose free, and is bottled weekly for freshness. One 12-oz. bottle can be used as a meal replacement. For ordering information, see www.zoejuice.com. A case of 25 bottles costs $50.

The strawberry is the most popular berry fruit in the world. Strawberries have grown wild for thousands of years, and were highly prized by the ancient Romans. In the early 1700s, a French engineer brought back to Europe a variety of strawberry native to Chile and Peru. In France, this variety was crossed with a North American variety, and the hybrid strawberry with which we are familiar was born. The current largest commercial producers of strawberries are the U.S., Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Strawberries are at their peak from April through July. Their unique phenol content makes them heart protective, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory. They are a good source of Vitamin C, manganese, fiber, folate, magnesium, copper, and Vitamins B5 and B6.

It’s said that medium-sized berries are often more flavorful than very large ones, but the large Driscoll’s berries we have been buying lately taste wonderful to us. A pretty and nutritious dessert can be made by layering blueberries and cut strawberries with plain or vanilla yogurt – or vanilla ice cream, of course. If you have never tried soy ice cream or ice cream made from rice milk, pick some up at your nearest health food store and get ready for a real taste treat!

When buying pre-packaged strawberries, make sure they are not packed too tightly. Avoid a container with stains or moisture, which can indicate spoilage. Remove any molded or damaged berries before storing them, unwashed, in the refrigerator. Wash them gently, stems on, just before eating. Buying organic strawberries will help you avoid pesticide residues. Berries can be washed, dried, and then frozen in a plastic container for future use. Freezing them whole preserves more of their Vitamin C.

Watermelons, which are related to cantaloupes, squash, and pumpkins, originated in Africa. The ancient Egyptians loved watermelons, and even placed them on the tombs of kings. They were brought to China as early as the 10th century, then to the New World in the 1500s. They are high in Vitamins C, A, B1, and B6. A cup of watermelon contains only about 48 calories. That’s because the fruit is 92% water, making it ideal as a thirst quencher.

To select a flavorful cut watermelon, look for deep-colored flesh minus any white streaks. Seeds should be dark in color. If buying a whole watermelon, buy one that is heavy for its size and that has a smooth rind, not too shiny or dull. Important: One side of the melon should have an area that is different in color from the rest of the rind, an area that is yellowish or creamy in color. This underbelly shows where the melon rested on the ground until ripe. If this lighter area is missing, the melon may have been harvested prematurely, making it inferior in taste, texture, and juiciness.

Choose a watermelon that is symmetrical in shape, that has a very slight softness to the touch, and that is free of cracks, bruises, and soft spots. Don’t bother sniffing the watermelon; if it’s been chilled, it won’t have much smell. A watermelon will not get sweeter after it’s been harvested, but letting it sit at room temperature for two or three days will make it juicier. After cutting it, store any unused pieces in the refrigerator in a plastic container or covered in plastic wrap.

Mixed fruit salad, if properly refrigerated, retains most of its nutrition for as long as a week. So mix and enjoy to your heart’s content!

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SNOWMASS WELLNESS EXPERIENCE

Wednesday, August 8th, 2007

Best-selling authors & renowned experts converge for premier holistic wellness festival

Snowmass Village, Colo. — In only its fourth year, The Snowmass Wellness Experience hosts an all-star line-up of wellness speakers for this August 17-19 celebration in the Rocky Mountain resort of Snowmass Village, Colorado.

“Unlike other wellness events that are confined to the classroom or conference center, our participants are learning how to nurture the whole person indoors, outdoors and through practical, hands-on opportunities throughout the resort,” says Event Director Josh Behrman. “We’ve created a totally immersive, truly holistic lifestyle festival, from morning meditations to sampling healthy cuisine to heading out on a bike with a professional athlete.”

Over two days the Snowmass Wellness Experience, which is sponsored by Body & Soul Magazine, Vitamin Cottage, the Denver Post, the Crestwood, and the Shakti Foundation, gives participants access to top nutrition, fitness, and spirituality & science experts, including six best-selling authors. While the popular Swing into Wellness presented by Vitamin Cottage gourmet dinner celebration kicks off the weekend on Friday, distinguished keynote speakers Marianne Williamson and Dan Millman address audiences on Saturday. Williamson examines the life-affirming principles first discussed in A Course In Miracles and in her forthcoming book, while Millman explores how to align one’s life to fundamental principles at the heart of every health and healing tradition in the world.

Nearly 20 other internationally respected wellness and fitness presenters such as Dr. Pamela Peeke, Michael T. Murray, Steve Hess, Janet Stone, and Belleruth Naparstek, discuss wellness topics such as stress, super foods, gluten intolerance, the healing power of music, Anusara yoga, and the wellness programs used by NBA athletes.

This year’s event raises the bar even further by also becoming certified as an approved program for up to 13 hours of Professional Continuing Education Credits. This new designation allows professionals ranging from nurses to psychologists the opportunity to gain knowledge and credit in the workplace for attending.

“No other wellness event in the U.S. offers such a comprehensive and intimate opportunity to explore wellness issues, both for individuals and professionals,” says Marketing Director Susan Hamley. “It’s not a wellness conference, but rather the opportunity to immerse yourself in a truly life-transforming weekend in a beautiful mountain destination.”

Snowmass Village offers a wealth of activities for the mind, body & spirit including spa services at local hotels, golf, 40 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails in the surrounding Snowmass-Maroon Bells Wilderness Area, and mountain adventures such as free concerts, horseback riding, and hot air balloon rides.

For the complete Snowmass Wellness Experience schedule,and for general Snowmass information, visit www.snowmassvillage.com or call 1-800-SNOWMASS.

Keynote Speakers
Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed author and expert on transformational wisdom. Four of her nine books have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. Williamson has been a popular guest on programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America, and in 2006 Newsweek called her one of the 50 most influential baby boomers.

Dan Millman is a former world-champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college profession. His thirteen books, including the bestseller Way of the Peaceful Warrior (adapted into a 2007 movie by Nick Nolte), have inspired millions of readers in 29 languages. His keynotes and seminars have influenced world leaders in the fields of health, psychology, education, business, sports, and the arts.
Featured Speakers
Michael T. Murray, N.D. is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on natural medicine. He co-authored the definitive textbook on naturopathic medicine for physicians and consumers and written over 20 other books, including multiple bestsellers.
Swami Brahmananda and Swami Dharmavati (Ed and Deb Shapiro) have been spiritual practitioners and teachers for over 20 years and the authors of 15 books, several of which are best-sellers. They write the daily Chillout inspirational messages for Sprint cell phones.

Dr. Barry Bittman is a neurologist, author, international speaker, inventor, and award winning producer/director. As CEO and Medical Director of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, PA., Dr. Bittman has pioneered a new paradigm for treating the “whole person.” He is the host of the first nationally-syndicated integrative medicine weekly Public Radio program and been featured in major publications such as the New York Times, Scientific American O (Oprah Magazine), and on CNN Headline News.

Belleruth Naparstek is the creator of the bestselling Time Warner Health Journeys guided imagery audio series used by nearly 2,000 hospitals, mental health centers, spas, and recovery centers. Her first book is considered the primer on imagery and healing, her second book on intuition has been translated into 9 languages, while her latest book on posttraumatic stress won the Spirituality & Health Top 50 Books Award.

Dr. Pamela Peeke is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Integrative Fitness and author of the New York Times bestselling Body for Life for Women and Fit To Live. Chief Medical Correspondent for Discovery Health Television and a member of Oprah Winfrey’s O Team of Medical Experts, Dr. Peeke is a Pew Foundation Scholar and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland.

Karlene Karst, RD, is a leading specialist in the areas of essential fatty acid (EFA) research and supplementation. Co-author of Healthy Fats for Life, she also writes for diverse health and nutrition publications and appears on radio and television shows across North America. She is the current Director of Education for Nature’s Way.

Steve Hess is the assistant coach/strength and conditioning for the Denver Nuggets. Hess oversees the team’s strength training, conditioning, stretching, nutritional programs, and supplementation in addition to designing their weight room. Hess been featured on NBA Inside Stuff, The Eating Network, and Altitude Sports and Entertainment Network.

Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA, is a board-certified clinical nutritionist. He is a professional member of the International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists and the Nutrition Education Manager and product formulator for NOW Foods. Neil is routinely interviewed for trade magazines, has published articles in numerous magazines, newspapers, and scientific journals, and has been a guest on numerous radio shows. He is the president of Nutrition for Optimal Health Association, Inc.
Wellness Activities:
Swing into Wellness presented by Vitamin Cottage: The Snowmass Wellness Experience kicks off with an exceptional evening dinner dance featuring organic gourmet cuisine prepared by Chef Jason Friendy. The menu includes items such as Drake’s Bay Pacific Oysters served on the half shell with a ponzu mignonette and Rosewater poached Pacific Black Cod topped with peach and strawberry salsa, while the evening also includes organic wine samplings and the Swing Latin Band the Conjunto Colores for dancing. See below for cost.

Cooking Demonstrations: Featured speaker Karen Falbo is a certified nutritionist and the National Nutritionist Coordinator for Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers. With over a decade of counseling experience and author of The Vital Abundance Cooking Series, Falbo teams up with chefs Susana Jimenez Lyons of the Cooking School of Aspen and Lisa Ruoff of the organic vegetarian catering company Eco Goddess Edibles for cooking demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.

Yoga: The non-profit Shakti Foundation hosts this year’s eight yoga workshops. $2.50 of every yoga & activities pass sold will be donated to local non-profits Pathfinders and Davi Nikent. Yoga instructors include nationally respected instructors Lisa Black, Peter Avolio, Janet Stone, Katchie Ananda, Aaron King, and Simon Park.

Guided Nature Walks: 2006 Colorado Book Award winner Janis Huggins and “The Humorous Herbalist” Laurel Dewey lead scenic guided walks around Snowmass Village looking at the medicinal and unique qualities of local plant life.

Guided Bike Rides: Professional Vitamin Cottage team riders Lance Loedhing and Dave Twinam talk about the world of biking in Colorado and lead group rides on the roads around Snowmass.

Snowmass Village Wellness Expo: Over 40 Wellness vendors fill the Snowmass Village Mall with the latest mind, body & spirit products ranging from aromatherapy to sports products.

Additional Activities include a centering morning meditation with Ed & Deb Shapiro and an evening Drum Circle gathering.

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One of my Favorite Things

Sunday, May 27th, 2007

I admit it-I am now officially hooked on Aspen Essentials natural skin care products , namely the Hydrating Serum.  I cannot imagine stepping out of the shower or after washing my face in the morning (whichever time allows) and slathering on Essentials High Altitude Firming Fluid to lock in whatever dewy moisture I can. Trust me, this stuff is amazing! It is made from organic fruit juice, cane sugar, green trea extract, meadowform oil and marine minerals. WOW! How can that not cradle your skin?  It has an amazing smell and is light to the touch. Use this serum in the morning and night, and follow with nourishing day or night cream.

People who simply buy over the counter lotions and creams are really missing out on the good stuff. If you do a little research, natural products are better, with less additives likely to cause skin flare-ups- now who needs that? I was introduced to “serums” as awesome facial hydration a long time ago by my ex boyfriend, who was a Naturopathic medical student at the time.  Unfortunately, our relationship didn’t last, but mine with this product will, for a long, long time.

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A little Zen, anyone?

Saturday, May 19th, 2007

Neditate. That’s what the bumper sticker said. It took a moment to register, but I realized the same style and layout that has become pretty popular on license plates, stickers, key rings and such, that say “Native” or what have you. This one in particular was for denizens in Nederland, that sleepy town up and away from Boulder.  And is it sleepy, slow and mountain folk friendly, a blast to the past, it reminds me of an old cowboy town that’s lost its saloon and spurs. Nederland is home to those seeking solace from city life, craving do- it- yourself mountain homes, organic groceries and crafty shops. It does have a sense of calm about it, compared to, well say, New York City.  It’s a plethora of all walks. There are alpaca owners here,  one of a kind festivals, band managers, realtors doubling as rock and gem fans,  serious bookworms, environmental educators, acupuncturists, back country skiers and avid nature seekers.

Neditate, obviously a play on meditate. I wonder how many people have bought into its growing popularity. Just sitting for even 5 minutes a day, and emptying the mind like a trash can.  Literally allowing it to become a blank slate. Just focusing on your own breath, being completely present.  Can you imagine nothingness, no thought, no worries, no to-do lists, no what if’s, no whats for dinner plans for just 5 minutes? Sounds pretty darn relaxing to me. People in the east and elsewhere have been practicing mindful meditation for hundreds of years. There must be something to it. How calming, like a day at the spa or a retreat, how healthy for us busy bodies.

Trust me, I know its hard to be still, to just sit with your eyes closed. But we can do this.  Taking time out for yourself, for just a smidgen of the day, can have wonderful effects.  Try a little zen, instead of who, what, where and when.

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Massage Therapy for Triathletes?

Tuesday, May 1st, 2007

Josh Shadle, CMT

Massage can dramatically affect the body on the whole through various techniques and manipulations, improve recovery, and enhance performance. To best understand massage we must first go over a couple basic concepts before we talk about the physiological affects of massage.

Most common types of massage used to help triathletes.

- Deep Tissue massage is probably the most effective massage technique a triathlete can receive. When deep tissue massage is used properly, it can break down adhesions, remove trigger points, relieve chronic tension holding patterns, break up metabolic waste, prevent injury, increase recovery time, enhance performance, and much more. Deep Tissue massage is best received well before events or throughout training leading up to races.

- Sports massage is usually geared towards athletes. However, it usually doesn’t get to deeper layers like deep tissue massage. Sports massage is very individually based, depending on the sport or activity in which the client normally participates. There is a lot of kneading (picking up the muscle and squeezing) techniques used in sports when working in specific areas. It uses a faster pace than most massages and is mainly geared towards athletes to increase circulation of blood flow before the event, increase oxygen during the event, and helps to eliminate waste after the event.

- Swedish massage is considered to be one of the most widely used forms of massage in the United States. Lots of lotion and oil are used to work on superficial layers of the body to increase blood flow. This type of massage is great for relaxation, but it may not get to deep layers where trigger points, adhesions, and possibly scar tissue live. Various techniques are used including effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration and tapotement.

- Neuromuscular massage is extremely broad in what it can do for an athlete. Neuromuscular massage includes treatments such as myofascial release, trigger point therapy, muscle energy techniques (MET’s), cross fiber friction, Cyriax (cross fiber friction on a specific lesion point), isometric strengthening, postural analysis, functional muscle testing or resisted range of motion testing, and much more. This type of massage is best used for someone who has specific issues such as a high hip, buckling knees, pain in a specific area, recurring pain, chronic pain, a postural dysfunction, traveling pain, balance problems, and much more. A client usually comes in with 2-3 areas that need to be worked and normally 60-75 minutes are spent analyzing the posture, checking alignment, testing range of motion, and then breaking the layers down to the specific muscle or problem. A good neuromuscular massage therapist can determine which muscles need to be strengthened and which ones need to be released. They should also be able to give you isometric exercises to strengthen the weak areas. A good therapist should always give you homework. Common problems among triathletes are weak hips. This can be caused by a functional (muscle related) high hip, which is usually misdiagnosed as a leg length discrepancy. This is something a neuromuscular massage therapist can work with to level out the hips and to strengthen them assuming there isn’t a structural leg length discrepancy and the only way to verify that is by an x-ray.

How often should you receive massage? Massage is most beneficial when receiving it on a regular basis, especially if you are a very active triathlete. The most common amount is once per week because any less its almost starting over every time you come back in for a massage, depending on the amount of training you participate in. The idea is to make a big difference and the problem with coming in any less is that it is very difficult to break down layers of the body or even the whole body when frequent visits aren’t made. Try to find an affordable massage therapist who meets your needs and stick with them, try not to jump around therapists.

There are many physiological affects that happen under a therapist’s hands. By decreasing the damage done by heavy training, aiding in recovery, and reducing fatigue, massage allows you to train harder, longer, and more efficient thus giving you better performance while preventing injury. Keeping your body in tune is vital, whether you’re going sub-4 hours in a half ironman or doing your first sprint triathlon.

Known benefits of massage therapy:

- According to Elliot Greene of American Massage Therapy Association, when massage has been substituted for rest, massage has been recorded to show 20-75%, even 100% muscle recovery, that is why you usually see boxers getting massage between rounds instead of resting.

- Break up metabolic wastes thus reducing that fatigue feeling when you shouldn’t be feeling fatigued, like at the beginning of a workout. Metabolic wastes build up either by vigorous activity or by inactivity. Massage works like a pump, like the heart pumps the blood, massage dramatically moves wastes and lymph though the lymphatic system, which does not have a pump. Metabolic wastes is composed of nitrogenous wastes from the breakdown of proteins, inorganic phosphorus, sodium chloride (salt), excess water, carbon dioxide from increased respiration, and urea (AMTA Elliot Greene & Human Anatomy & Physiology). Basically massage increases the body’s ability to make the necessary secretions and excretions.

- The oxygen capacity of the blood can increase 10-15% after a massage (AMTA Elliot Greene).

- Neuromuscular Massage can specifically help with balancing out muscles by loosening contracted (shortened) muscles and stimulating weakened/flaccid (stretched out) muscles. What does this mean to a triathlete? By releasing contracted muscles, it may make the weak ones stronger promoting more efficient training, which increases performance in the long run. Massage gently stretches out the muscle and connective tissue that surrounds the body by reducing tension without irritating the muscle. It is also vital to know which muscles need to be stretched out vs. stretching every single muscle when certain muscles may already be stretched out. A therapist should be able to show and prove this to you.

- Lactic acid and carbonic acid build up after exercise begins. These waste products irritate nerve endings and muscles thus affecting performance. These waste products can lead to cramping if not flushed out. As you exercise, acids are formed when glycogen in the muscles and liver are burned to keep you going. Pain persists until these acids are stored again or flushed out via the lymph system. Once the lymphatic system is flushed out, muscle recovery rates increase.

Aches and pains don’t always have to be part of your training; a good coach or a competitive athlete should tell you so. As your training increases for the upcoming season and your body gets in shape, wastes get backed up. Your body needs more oxygen and nutrients than ever before to keep it in tiptop shape. Make sure you listen to your body’s needs so it can lead you to your goals.


After attending 3 years of undergraduate work, Josh Shadle focused his attention to the Boulder College of Massage. Josh is the owner of TRI-Massage and is a local Boulder elite triathlete. Inside triathlon named him an all-american in the 20-24 age group. He currently resides in Boulder and plans to turn professional in the next 2 years. You can find more information about TRI-Massage and appointments at www.TRI-Massage.com or www.joshuashadle.com to find out about his racing career.

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Essential Skin Care

Saturday, April 21st, 2007

Aspen Life Essentials is the only natural skin care line formulated specifically for our high and dry climate here in Aspen, Colorado.

Using organic fruit juices, botanical extracts, marine minerals, anti-oxidants and essential oils, this highly effective skin care collection compares only to the finest and purest products on the market today.

Our ingredients are cruelty free, of course, and preserved without the use of parabens, ureas, suttocidea, germall, bht, or sodium hydroxy methyl glycinate. Also, there are no potentially harmful chemicals or inexpensive fillers like propylene, butylene, hexylene glycol, petroleum, or artificial dyes. Sulfate free.

See and feel the youthful results that our mindfully blended ingredients will bring to your skin.

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Pineapple enzymes and blueberry masks, anyone?

Saturday, April 21st, 2007

I don’t know about you, but I am willing to try any skin care products out there that will keep my skin looking young and fresh. Since moving to Colorado from Oregon 2 years ago, this has been a big concern as I see crows feet around my eyes, some wrinkles that weren’t there before, and even my hair seems drier…Why, us transplants ask, am I aging rapidly? Well, being a mile higher than sea level in Denver and the climbing altitude in those gorgeous mountains could have something to do with it…It is dry here, no if’s, and’s or but’s about it. Yes, it rained too much in good old green Oregon, but man do I miss the juicy, moist air and misty mornings. Your skin just drinks it up.

Thanks to amazing skin care and some innovative ingredients out there, healthy, rejuvenated skin is still ours to be had. Did you know many products include ingredients such as : orange and mango extract, green tea, lavender, cranberry, and seaweed? Toners, serums, gentle exfoliates, and nourishing day and night creams can make all the difference. A regular facial routine tailored for your skin type and with the altitude in mind is a great idea.

I have begun using top of the line products, many of them organic and made right here in Colorado. I have seen results already, and am a huge fan. I can tell a difference in my appearance. Exercise and eating right also help skin looking healthy. I will continue this regime, it is much easier than sitting with your face over a pot of boiling water to take in some moisture! Enjoy-Deb Weisman

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