Back Support

     For about a year I’ve been dealing with some interesting back issues.  Yes, literally my lower back!  And no, it's not because I am overly endowed in the chest area!  What happens is that my back goes through periods of time where I can hardly move at all, like my muscles have given out.  I never know when it will happen because it isn't connected to some sort of wrenching or specific incident.  It’s not a sharp pain.  It’s more like my lower back just turns to mush and there is nothing there supporting me.   It feels fine when I just sit or lay down. It is when I sit or attempt to get up after laying down that it gives me problems.   I can bend over from standing with ease, though.  I wondered at first whether or not it had anything to do with ‘Aunt Flo’ coming to visit.  (I can't believe I just mentioned that)  But this most recent bout has nothing to do with that.  It has been 5 days now that I'm walking around very gingerly, not bending or lifting much at all.  I’m definitely tired of it.  I suppose it will go away eventually, like it does every time.  But oh, how it messes with my plans!  I don’t feel like doing anything, much less exercise when I feel like this.  I recently talked with a friend who has the same thing happen to her.  She also has a boyfriend who is a physical therapist.  He says that it is very commonplace in women to have back issues periodically.  He said the best thing to shorten the duration of the flare-up is to put ice on it.  So instead of pain for 5-7 days, one can shorten it down to 2-3 days.  Next time, I'm trying the ice!  
     It makes me appreciate my body, though.  When I am feeling well, I am able to do so much!  It is a wonderful vehicle to take me through life.  I definitely want to take care of it more.  So with that said, here are a few things I promise to do for my body this summer.  I’m not getting all crazy, but just these few things should help a lot!

      I’ve been sitting at my desk entirely too much.  I know it and my butt knows it.  My butt is yelling, “Get off me!”  So, I will.  I promise to faithfully get up and walk or do other things every hour.  Sometimes I get so involved in what I am doing at my desk that time can really go by quickly.  But even  right now, I am standing up as I type.  There is no reason to be sitting so much! 

     I will drink more clean, fresh water.  The benefits of drinking good water are so many.  But the thing that interests me right now is that sometimes dehydration can masquerade as hunger.  Our bodies are made of 68% or more of water.  I’m sure that the body needs water way before we are thirsty and that could easily be mistaken as hunger.  There is a new bottled water that is out and it is flavored like herbs and fruits.  I could sip on it all day long!  It’s called Ayala’s Herbal Water and it is wonderful.   Right now I'm loving the  lemongrass mint vanilla!  It is so refreshing!  My husband, however, doesn't quite share my view.  He thinks that the stuff tastes like cough syrup.  Not even!!  Men, sheesh!

      I’ve recently learned how important stretching is.  And this coming from the gal who could drop straight down into the splits without the bat of an eye just a year ago.  I can still do the splits. It's just getting out of them that's the killer for me.  It hurts!  Plus I don't drop down into them anymore.  I ease myself down into them.  But being limber isn't whether you can do the splits or not.  It's your hips, your hamstrings, your pectorals, your back!!!  If you want to stay young and not age, you need to stretch and work every one of the 600 muscles found in the body.  And especially  in view of my back issues, stretching can be one of the weapons in my arsenal to keep myself pain-free.  So, I am incorporating stretching in my daily exercise routine.  If I don’t do ANYTHING else, I will stretch.  It’s that important.  A program I’ve found recently is called Classical Stretch.  It is amazing.  The premise of the method is that without regular stretching our bodies start to atrophy as early as in our twenties.   By doing regular stretching, at least 25 minutes a day, we can alleviate the aging process our bodies go through because of non-use of our muscles and bones! 

     I want to spend more time outdoors.  The weather is beautiful right now.  I’ve got a great bike and a dog who absolutely loves to spend time with me.  I feel like being outside frees the mind, invigorates the body and rejuvenates the spirit!  So out I’ll go. 

     I don’t know how much, if any of this will ultimately help my back, but I know it will help me be a better mom, wife, friend and person!  

Disclaimer:  My post, my opinion, yours may vary!  No compensation  was received,

Keranique Volumizing Shampoo, Conditioner and Mousse #Giveaway (ARV $89.95)

      Having thick, beautiful, healthy hair is such a gift!  There are many reasons that women don't have the thick, beautiful hair they once had or maybe never even had.  Men and women are basically different when it comes to skin and hair care. So using a man's hair regrowth treatment to get thick hair wouldn't be the best option. Whether you want fuller, thicker hair, healthier hair or actual hair regrowth, Keranique has the solution for you!   Keranique's scientific formulation is for females who suffer from hair loss, thinning hair, and bald patches. It is an advanced hair therapy for regrowth, specifically formulated to treat thin, dull or lackluster hair for women of all ages and hair types!  And  Keranique contains the only FDA approved ingredient for thinning hair called Minoxidil!  Engineered specifically for women, these products deliver outstanding results for all hair types.  The Keranique haircare system follows a simple three-step process:  cleanse, condition, and treat.

     If you are just looking for thicker, fuller hair you would want to try the Thicker, Fuller Looking Hair Kit!  It includes Revitalizing Shampoo, Volumizing Conditioner, Follicle Boosting Serum and Volumizing Lifting Spray. While the kit certainly isn't cheap, retailing at $159.90, the results are indeed very good!  I was able to try 3 of the products and I was very pleased with the initial results.  (See my review)

      If you are actually looking to regrow your hair, you would want the Hair Re-growth Kit!  It includes Revitalizing Shampoo, Volumizing Conditioner, Hair regrowth treatment and Volumizing lifting spray.  Again the price is $159.90 and it includes everything you need for a successful treatment plan to get your hair back! 

                            Here are some things that actual customers said about this product!  (Reviews from DermStore)

 "I started using Keranique Revitalizing Shampoo about 6 months ago...since then my hairline has actually stated to grow back in....my hair feels stonger and thicker than before. I am very happy to see these results and will continue to use this product."  Review posted 5/25/2012

"Makes my hair soft and shiny.I use it every day and there is no build up.I have been using Keranique for over a year now and notice a huge difference in the amout of new growth and the over all strength of my hair. I love it! :)"  Review posted 1/23/2012.

"I just purchased Keranique the whole kit Shampoo, conditioner and volumizing spray and I love it. I have very thin hair and after I used this product I feel this is the product I want to contiue to use.It gave my hair shine, lots of volume and silky looking. I will most definetly buy this shampoo and conditioner again and I highly recommend it. It is pricey but I have tried many other products and I have not had the results I just had with Keranique..."  Review posted 1/16/2012

Now it's time to host a giveaway for 3 of  these great volumizing hair products.  Keranique has generously offered to give one Gal Pal three of their products, the Revitalizing Shampoo, the Volumizing Conditioner, and the Fortifying Mousse!  (ARV $89.85)  I can tell you that you will really love these products, just like I did!
 


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#Giveaway - Aromafloria Muscle Soak #Spa Package

    Aromafloria began in 1985, founded on the rich heritage of aromatherapy as a means of achieving wellness. Ancient cultures placed great emphasis on the healing properties of aromatic oils. As one of the modern pioneers of holistic aromatherapy, we continue to embrace and evolve this ancient art. This "complementary and alternative" therapy has been a way of life for Aromafloria, not just a lifestyle trend. 

    At the heart of Aromafloria is a fervent desire to help people empower themselves in their search for balance and well-being. In our increasingly high-tech and low-touch world, we invite you to create quiet, restorative moments and meaningful rituals that will elicit relaxation and keep you on your road to wellness.

   Today is your lucky day!  You can win 3 Aromafloria Products from their Muscle Soak Line! Please take a look at my review to see what my personal experience with these products was!   

    One lucky Gal Pal will win the following 3 products for their own aromatherapy, muscle soak experience.  

Bath Salts - Muscle Soak Bath Salts (23 oz.) $16 

Body Scrub - Muscle Soak Body Scrub (12 oz.) $14

Body Wash - Muscle Soak Body Wash (6.7 oz.) $9.50

Contest will run from May 22 - June 9!

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Muscle Soak by Aromafloria #Review

 I was the lucky recipient of some products in one of Aromafloria's Aromatherapy lines, Muscle Soak.  First of all let me say that Aromafloria is amazing because they have such a comprehensive line of therapeutic aromatherapy solutions.  As I browsed through the website, I was amazed.  I saw so many great scent solutions! For instance, Plane Solutions Inhalation Beads address the concern of flying in an enclosed plane and being exposed to airborne  immune system attacks.  Memory Boost Inhalation Beads help your brain become sharper and more alert.  Then there are whole lines that address specific problems like Muscle Soak with many products to help achieve a specific result.  In this case, designed to relieve achy muscles and tissues caused by overwork, too much stress and fatigue.  

Here are the 3 products that I tried from the Muscle Soak line:

Bath Salts -  I absolutely love the smell of these salts.   It made my bathroom smell so aromatic.  The base of sea salts also has eucalyptus leaf, peppermint, and lemongrass oils in it.  It also has sweet almond oil and seaweed extract to round out the therapeutic effect.  Simply put ½ cup of it into your bath and soak for about 15 – 20 minutes. I received the 23 oz. size and it was good for about 4 - 5 soaks.  Next time I would choose the larger 42 oz. size because I really like it! 

Body Scrub -  This scrub has the exact same ingredients as the salts with the addition of 2 different sugars and honey!  I liked it very much!

Body Wash - The reason you want to use Muscle Soak Body Wash and Body Scrub with the Muscle Soak bath salts is to keep the aromatherapy going.  If you use a perfumy body wash while using the bath salts, it would ruin the therapeutic effect.  You don't want to smell competing scents when you're in "therapy"!  

  I thoroughly enjoyed my Aromafloria experience and felt more refreshed and relaxed as a result of it!  So I give it A GAL NEEDS...thumbs up!

Disclosure:  I received the 3 items above for review purposes.  All opinions are my own and may vary from others who use the same products.