Most of my meals today have been out of a bowl.
First, this morning’s oats, and then this afternoon’s stellar sniffle remedy.
Whenever I start to feel under the weather, I usually try to fight it by upping my fruit and veggie intake, fresh juices (Liv and I made a Whole Foods run this morning), taking megadoses of Emergen-C, making tomato tea and then if it still hangs around, fire the big guns: eating an entire head of roasted garlic. <– maker of dragon breath and killer of the common cold
When I woke up with a runny nose this morning, on top of feeling achy and generally blah, I knew it was a tomato tea kinda day. The idea sounds kind of weird, but it’s really just a spicy tomato soup.
The perfect use for the very last of my latest bottle of chipotle Cholula. Must replenish ASAP.
The soup was everything I needed, and I have the garlic ready as backup for tonight if it comes to that 
Also, did you know that chocolate can help cure the common cold?
I’m a believer at least.
Besides the chocolate bar, I was also thinking that a massage would help me feel better (funny how that works, haha) but I kept having images of sniffling and having to blow my nose through the little headrest thing. Not very zen.
Usually I have two goals when I go into a massage:
1) Do not smile with my eyes closed like a creeper
2) No. Drooling.
Avoiding both simultaneously involves serious concentration. Back in the Valdosta day, I used to get massages from a good friend of mine every couple of weeks. I moved to Tucson, found an AWESOME masseuse, he left for medical school, I got pregnant and was banished to the world of prenatal massages. Compared to my beloved deep tissue, it felt like a tickle, and I stopped going. I just recently started to get back into it, and am so glad I did. One of the awesome perks of where I work is the we get a discount on spa treatments. Don’t mind if I doooooooo….
So what are the benefits of massage, other the obvious fact that it feels like heaven and happiness?
- It can make you happy! Massage floods the body with feel-good hormones and also reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) which can lower blood pressure.
-It encourages lymphatic drainage, which helps cells to flush out toxins and allow more nutrients to enter.
-It reduces inflammation in the body and helps to break up troublesome fascia. (For more info on fascia buildup, check out this post, and this article that explains it extremely well)
-It can help improve sleep quality. Does snoozing during the service count?
-It can ease PMS symptoms, depression, anxiety, improves alertness and has even been shown to benefit those with illnesses such as eating disorders, according to this article.
-Sports massages, specific to the type of activity you regularly engage in, is also reported to have the following benefits:
- • Increased blood flow
• Increased joint range of motion and flexibility
• Increased elimination of exercise waste products (lactic acid)
- • Increased sense of well-being
- • Decreased neurological excitability (nerves more relaxed)
- • Decreased chance of injury
- • Decreased recovery time between workouts
- • Decreased muscle spasms and tension
-It feels soooooo nice.
(Source)
So when was the last time you got a massage? If you could get any spa service right now, what would you choose?
Some people hate massages (I just don’t understand…) but I’m a huge fan.
No gym for this girl so I’ll feel good enough to teach tomorrow. CAN’T WAIT to watch gymnastics tonight!!
Have a great evening <3
xoxo
Gina
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I’ve never had a massage….I’ve always wanted to. But, I get kind of self-conscious at the idea of it. But it is something I always tell myself I am going to try it someday.
That’s exactly how I feel. I’m worried that masseuse will secretly be repulsed by me…plus I’d be uncomfortable naked with a stranger.
But I keep hearing wonderful things!
FACT: I have a GroupOn for a deep-tissue massage that I need to use like RIGHT NOW.
p.s. Spicy food = awesome sinuses. Troof.
Do you have to get totally nakkied for a massage? I want one, but I want to wear clothes.
No, you can be as clothed as you like!
I’ve been thinking lately about booking a massage, I am in desperate need. I have been working such long hours and this past weekend I went to the best yoga festival – Wanderlust – so now I am sore and in need. And btw…chocolate does cure the common cold
and any other illnesses…
Never had one either. Really want one! Sounds divine!
I’m not a fan of being touched by strangers so massages make me anxious, which I think is the opposite of what you want. The exception to that is the foot/leg rub at the pedicure place. Love that.
Is it weird that massages actually put me in a bad/sad mood? Maybe a physical release of stress? It’s weird! Now a facial……I love me a facial.
Really? A whole head of roasted garlic and that ends a cold??? I HATE being sick so am interested to hear more about that, do you eat it plain, on bread, with a meal??? Thanks for the info!
I jUst eat it with a fork. I really love garlic haha
Mmmmmm I love massages. Two weeks ago, I got a foot massage in Chinatown in NYC with my mom. They had it set up sort of like you were getting a pedicure (you sat in comfy chairs that reclined and there were other people next to you). It was a little bit awkward getting a massage next to other people, but what made it hilarious is that the guy next to me started hardcore SNORING halfway through his. It was hilarious! My mom and I were cracking up. I felt bad for the masseuse, but she kept going like she didn’t even hear him.
I love your headband! Where did you get it?
thank you! franecesca’s collection
massages – all the way! I love them! Seriously, they are my thing. I love love love them and wish I could have a personal masseuse – it would at least give my hubs a break from babe, hey I was wondering if you could rub my neck…Lol
I have only ever had one massage and it was heaven. I really should do it again some time soon. Also to the person that asked if you have to be naked, I left my undies on and regretted it. The person doing the massage had to sort of hop over them when going up the side of my body so will deffinetly go in the buff next time to get the most out of it.
Is it wrong that I want to eat an entire head of roasted garlic right now? I’m not sick but that sounds horribly delish!
it’s so good!
Definitely massages. I lost my masseuse, too, who was incredibly cheap and incredibly good at deep tissue. So I haven’t had a massage in ages! Unless you count my hubs who, poor thing, has to rub my neck and/or shoulders at least twice a week. The first time I got a massage from him, I knew that I HAD TO marry that man!!
I LOOOOVE massages! I could get one everyday, and I’d be a happy camper! Hope you get to feeling better soon!
Have you ever tried eating a clove of raw garlic? It’s like windex- it cures everything.
And woohoo! I love posts about the benefits of massage especially now since I’m starting massage therapy school in 2 weeks!
*hand raised* Does not like massages. I don’t like being touched by strangers (unless it’s my hair). I’ll consider a sports massage after my first half or full marathon, though.
I get a massage any chance I can get; it’s literally what I save my money to splurge on! I love a good deep tissue massage, almost to the point where it hurts and my eyes start to water. Last time I got one I had a really tight hip from running and it completely got rid of it. I swear if everyone got a massage once a week (or even month) there would be world peace
For a cold, I like fresh ginger tea and I make it very strong. Maybe add a pinch of cayenne pepper powder if I really want to clear those sinuses.
I trained as a massage therapist for the first two years of my naturopathy training (the only two years I did actually..) and this makes me a very difficult massage client. I absolutely can tell if someone is not into it, if they are giving a half-hearted massage or not paying attention and it annoys the hell out of me. I really try to connect with the masseuse before she starts so that, hopefully, she will like me and give a really good, hard massage. A bad massage just puts me in a serious bad mood.
I’ve been trying to link your feed up with google reader (so many blogs I read now… don’t want to miss a thing!), but get this error message:
This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.
As I’m a complete dumb-ass when it comes to computery stuff, do you know if there is something I’m doing wrong here, or is your feed link broken?
Sorted. There is some funny business between wordpress and the chrome browser, when it comes to the rss feed. You have to go about it from within google reader, rather than by clicking the little button on the blog.
I love massages! And I can’t wait to watch gymnastics tonight!
Can I get deets on the tomato tea? Is it just tomato soup with cholula? My dad always told me to eat something spicy to “clear out my sinuses,” but I like the idea of doing that with tomato tea. Ps i love eating roasted garlic plain… So good!
My company went on an outing to the spa just last week
Back massages in China hurt like hell & I find nothing relaxing about it… but bring on the body scrub & foot massage 
Also… it is super cheap!
I’m almost 28 years old and I’ve never had a message. That fact makes me sad
They’re just SO pricey! I made a deal with myself though. I’m doing a 30 day challenge starting today to eat a healthy salad or smoothie Every. Single. Day this month and cook a healthy meal at home at least 5 nights of each week (I’ve been slacking). If I do this, a message is my reward….Definitely feel motivated now 
I’ve already picked out a few of your recipes to get me started. Your stuffed Dijon sundried tomato chicken is first. I can’t wait!
Just reminded me that I have a Groupon for a massage! I brought it for a reward for myself after my half, but then I forgot about it… oooh la la!
I actually just started getting Active Release Therapy (ART) at my physiotherapist’s and it’s basically like a massage for my legs since I’ve been having pains in my knees/hips. It hurts a bit, but also feels amazing!
And even after 2 sessions, I can already feel a difference in my legs.
Massages are the best! I’ve suggested that my husband get one, but he “doesn’t like the idea of it”. lol. seriously?!? It’s heaven!
I’ve never had a massage. I’m thinking that I probably would never relax because I’d be too focused on the fact that I was being touched by a stranger. I keep thinking I’d give it a try and if I hated it I’d never go back.
I love massages, I have a tradition that I now treat myself to a massage after my very long runs! Perfect way to ease the stiffness and reward my efforts
Massages are soooo great for over worked muscles, but I absolutely HATE the feeling of having to put on clothes after being “oiled up.” It grosses me out haha.
I love that headband!!! I’m a huge fan of massages! One of my good friends is a massage therapist and she is amazing! She also has brought to my attention how important and good for our bodies massage therapy can be!
Like some have said, I love the *idea* of a massage and know all the wonderful things it does for your body….but I am stuck at the hump of having a stranger rub me down! Fear of judgement, I guess!
have you tried “spicy” chocolate? whole foods has a couple brands, lake champlain aztec spicy chocolate (they even make hot choc!) and moonstruck chile variado. the best!!
the tomato tea looks yum. I hope you’re feeling better.
I’ve read the garlic needs to be raw. Not positive but it might be something worth looking into. Good for you for getting a message mama! This is one of the reasons I love reading your blog – you work hard but you also take care of yourself and enjoy life.
wow, you just reminded me how much I need a massage. I wish it was in the budget right now! Last one I had was a few months ago and I had so many knots in my back, she spent the whole hour working on just my back! There was definitely some drooling going on…haha!
Massages are the best! This tomato soup definitely looks like a cold buster, I’m all about some dark chocolate to fix things
It’s been years since I had a massage, but I’ve been craving one for the last few days. Seriously, what I wouldn’t do. The need is that bad. I know on the next cruise I take, I am getting a super amazing awesome massage.
I hope the tomato tea helps and you feel better soon!
hope you are feeling better today! i will have to try that spicy tomato soup next time i feel sick…sounds like it could be a pretty good remedy. i also totally believe in the power of massage – it usually cures whatever ails ya!
I got a massage last week!
I used to be one of those way too self-conscious to have a massage girls.. but I met a masseuse that I like and trust and feel comfortable with… and now it’s the best thing everrrr!
I haven’t had a massage in months!! I can’t believe they slipped my mind!! So weird. Speaking of slipping my mind … I need to pay rent. Haha.
But yes – your goals = my goals when I’m getting a massage. Ohhh. Now I want one@
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE massages..and facials too!!
My favorite thing to eat if im congested or sick is pho with extra sriracha sauce!! yumm-o
This post definitely made me want a massage!
I was reading this while eating a salad covered in Cholula – have you tried this combo?! It’s delish. Looooooove!
The last massage I had was over 3 years ago! I absolutely loooove them, but they are so much $$$. When it comes down to spending $100-150, I usually decide I would rather have some new Lululemon clothing
i hear ya on that
You’re probably feeling better now but making the liver flush drink (don’t let the name fool ya it’s yum – orange and lemon juice, ginger & garlic, olive oil & cayenne pepper blended – in my recipes) kills it before it begins for me! I swear!