Recovering from Chronic Pain and Trama

Returning to physical activity after serious trauma and/or pain can be tricky.  The impulse to jump back into a familiar routine can and usually does create more trauma and can inhibit the healing process.  When recovery is viewed as an opportunity to learn and to retrain the body, the process is an awakening, opening, and freeing experience.
Typically trauma will affect the weakest part of your physicality.  In my case, prior to my auto accident, I was having subtle neck and shoulder issues.  The accident magnified these issues and created the necessity to look deeper into how I was moving so that I could fully recover. 
Although, recovering from pain can be done alone, it may be prudent to hire a trainer to help with the subtleties of movement that WILL be the difference between full recovery and suffering with recurring intermittent pain throughout ones life.
Approaching recovery MUST have the following qualities:
1.  a steady focus on postural alignment throughout each and every movement
2. a steady focus and awareness on breath
3. done with the least amount of tension possible.
Initially, the work is performed at a very slow and mindful pace.  Working at this pace is vital to begin retraining our hardwired movement patterns.  With a consistent, concise practice the body is able to "drop" any dysfunctional movement patterns and create an environment for the body to rewire the neural-muscular system to be efficient and highly functional.
Wrapping your brain around slowing down, reducing tension in the body and initially having your brain work harder than your body is probably the most challenging part of the practice but
patient perseverance will payoff with a stronger, pain free body.
To learn more about recovery or to sample a recovery workout call 330-606-1777.

Unpasta Sweet and Zesty

Angelhair pasta can be made with a spiral slicer (used in asian restaraunts) and a zucchini.
The toppings are limitless.  Here's a little ditty that I whipped up with things I had on hand...I love summer gardens!

2 tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
6 dates soaked
a slice of sweet onion
a handful of basil
half an avacado
salt
pinch of ceyenne

Vitamix all ingredients and serve over zucchini pasta.  The color is a little mustardy but the payoff is the vibrant taste!

Honey's Raw Chocolate Banana Nut Cookie

As I delve more deeply into this raw food lifestyle, I find myself craving something chewy and sweet...like a nutty cookie.
Knowing that most grains are a concern for me and sugar is not necessarily my friend, a concoction born out of foods that "should" taste good together and will do no harm (in moderation), Honey's Raw Chocolate Banana Nut Cookies were born.

3 Cups soaked pitted dates
3 Cups soaked almonds (at least overnight) finely chopped
3 Cups dehydrated bananas or substitute ripe fresh bananas finely chopped
(the intensity of banana flavor drying time will be altered)
2 Tbl raw cocoa
1 Tbl sea salt
cinnamon to taste

Vitamix dates, cocoa, cinnamon, and sea salt until smooth using as much of the soaking water necessary to form a thick paste.
stir in banana and almonds until batter is consistent.  If using dehydrated bananas allow the batter to sit for an hour or more before adding almonds so that the banana has time to rehydrate slightly.

spoon drop onto teflex sheets or parchment paper and dehydrate at 105 degrees until desired texture.

This turned out to be a terrific treat.