Best anti-inflammatory ever! And I don't mean Ibuprofren

So many of us take Ibuprofren or the like when we are having pain or soreness.  Sometimes we go get some muscle relaxants etc.  Next time you are feeling pain, achey, strain, tightness, headaches etc try this:

1 tsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar (with The Mother...which is an important ingredient)
1 tsp. Orange Peel Honey
and the best way is to mix it in 1 cup hot water.

Drink 1-2 a day and most of you will be quite surprised what all feels better.

Enjoy the natural way and be nice to your body, it works very hard for you!  If you have questions email us at agape@agapetherapy.com

Have a great weekend!

Healthy Recipe

 

Chocolate Pretzel & Cherry Popcorn Balls

 

12 (2-inch) balls

Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes






 Ingredients

• 6 heaping cups popped corn
• 1/4 cup agave nectar (see Note) or honey
• 1/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter or almond butter, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped dark chocolate-covered pretzels
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped dried cherries

Preparation

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Prepare a medium bowl of ice water. Put popcorn in a large bowl.
2. Combine agave (or honey) and peanut butter (or almond butter) in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring gently but constantly. As soon as the mixture starts to lightly bubble, cook, stirring constantly, for 15 seconds more.
3. Immediately pour the mixture evenly over the popcorn; gently mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until well coated. Gently stir in dark chocolate-covered pretzels and finely chopped dried cherries.
4. Dip both hands in the ice water. Working quickly, press small handfuls (heaping 1/4 cup each) of the popcorn mixture firmly into 2-inch balls. (Make sure each ball gets a little bit of the pretzels and dried cherries.) Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet. If they seem too fragile, rinse hands with cold water and press and squeeze each ball again to help keep it together.
5. Let cool completely before storing. To store, individually wrap in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Wrap airtight for up to 2 days, but best the day they are made.

• Note: Agave syrup or nectar is the naturally sweet juice extracted from the agave plant. It has a lower glycemic index and is lower in calories than table sugar, but is even sweeter. Use it in moderation when substituting for table sugar. Look for it near other sweeteners in health food stores and well-stocked supermarkets.

Nutrition

Per ball: 89 calories; 3 g fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 13 g carbohydrates; 6 g added sugars; 2 g protein; 1 g fiber; 34 mg sodium; 18 mg potassium.

Healthy Recipe

 Overnight Oatmeal

Ingredients

• 8 cups water
• 2 cups steel-cut oats
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Preparation

1. Combine water, oats, dried cranberries, dried apricots and salt in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Turn heat to low. Put the lid on and cook until the oats are tender and the porridge is creamy, 7 to 8 hours. Stovetop Variation Halve the above recipe to accommodate the size of most double boilers: Combine 4 cups water, 1 cup steel-cut oats, 3 tablespoons dried cranberries, 3 tablespoons dried apricots and 1/8 teaspoon salt in the top of a double boiler. Cover and cook over boiling water for about 1 1/2 hours, checking the water level in the bottom of the double boiler from time to time.

Tips & Notes

• Ingredient Note: Steel-cut oats, sometimes labeled "Irish oatmeal," look like small pebbles. They are toasted oat groats—the oat kernel that has been removed from the husk that have been cut in 2 or 3 pieces. Do not substitute regular rolled oats, which have a shorter cooking time, in the slow-cooker oatmeal recipe.

Nutrition

Per serving: 193 calories; 3 g fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 34 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 6 g protein; 9 g fiber

When to stretch? When not to stretch!

Why do we stretch ? We stretch in order to increase flexibility or ROM.    

When to stretch?  

1.  When flexibility is limited

2.  Motion is restricted

3.  Before and or after exercise to decrease soreness and as a way to prevent injuries

When not to stretch

1.  After a recent break

2.  When swelling or infection are present

3.  Tissue trauma is apparent, bruising etc.

4.  When individual already has too much flexibility or is hypermobile.

Stress-strain curve for connective tissue

Holding a stretch is referred to as static stretching, which is just one type of stretching.  With static stretching, the stretch is held for a period of time.   Muscles are like rubber bands they return to normal resting length when a stretch is not held long enough.  A stretch must be held long enough to move past the rubber band or elastic stage and reach the plastic stage.  The plastic stage means the muscle will hold the length it has gained from stretch after the force is taken away, in turn increasing the muscles length.

One last note...when you have enough range of motion or flexibility, stretching isn't really necessary and often creates instability.  Be mindful of why you are choosing to do what you are doing!