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Archive for the ‘Health and Wellness’ Category

Wearable Water for Endurance Athletes

Posted in Fitness, Health and Wellness, tagged , , , on December 20, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

One of the most important questions you might ask yourself when undertaking about endurance sports is where are you going to store and access your water. I favor the CamelBak’s for hiking. I am not a long distance runner, but many of my clients are long distance runners and I do like to go on long bike rides. My CamelBak works for those trips too.

But then I was checking out REI’s website today and found this hydration shirt on sale:

It’s normally $74.93 but REI is knocking the price down to $64.83 for the holidays. It’s an interesting concept, running with your water bag sewn into your shirt. Or riding your bike long distance with your water punch resting on the back of your neck, but enclosed in a hydration shirt so it’s not against your skin. I might try it for a bike ride, but I’d be a bit worried that the water temperature would not be insulated well enough to either keep the water cold or keep my neck from getting cold.  However, when I read the specs for the shirt on the website, it actually looks like it is well insulated, with an attempt to be chafe proof.  I just wouldn’t wear it i the winter!  but it might make a great gift! Check out the specs:

  • HydroPouch™ is an integrated reservoir compartment that encapsulates a 72 fl. oz. reservoir in a manner that supports and stabilizes the water weight on the back
  • Vest is made from plush, chafe-free compression fabric that self-adjusts to comfortably hold and stabilize water reservoir while conforming to the body like a second skin
  • Fabric also delivers moisture management and dries quickly for cool and comfortable performance; 1/4-length neck zipper allows easy on and off
  • Air-mesh insulated back panel insert keeps your back cool and comfortable while insulating the water in the reservoir
  • Includes an insulated tube cover to keep the water in the tube cool and palatable
  • OMEGA™ HydroTanium™ reservoir is made from a strong polyurethane film for tensile strength and burst resistance
  • Big Bite™ valve is ergonomically positioned for easy drinking; handy HydroLock™ securely shuts off water flow

They also have:

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Shampoo and a Massage All at Once at One Chicago Salon: Kelly Cardenas

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , on December 19, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Recently a client of mine recommended a new hair salon for me to try out. One of the big selling features for me was that they had good hairstylists. But they also have something more: they give 10 minute neck and shoulder massages while they shampoo your hair.  I know, many hair salons give you a relaxing scalp massage as they wash your hair. But I have never been in a hair salon where the massage experience is such a, well, a massage experience.

At Kelly Cardenas Salon in Bucktown (a neighborhood in Chicago near Wicker Park), they have set up a special darkened room with relaxing music and 3 shampoo chairs.

Relaing massage/shampoo room is just behind the darkened glass window!

When you arrive at the salon they have you change into a smock and then whisk you into the relaxing shampoo station. There a hair dressor rests your weary head back in the shampoo bowl and the massage/shampoo experience begins. Sure she washes your hair but then she does a really relaxing shoulder and neck massage while you rest your head against her arm. As a massage therapist, I am always appreciative of someone else giving ME a massage!  And getting a great haircut on top of it makes Kelly Cardenas Salon a winner in my book.

Kelly Cardenas also has a salon in Las Vegas. But for Chicagoean, you can find them at

1909 W. North Avenue in Chicago. Phone: 773-342-4474

To go to the website click here.

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Where to Get Quick, Affordable, Relaxing, Therapeutic Massage in Chicago

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , , on December 14, 2010| 3 Comments »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Aside from the stress of the holidays, it’s the end of 2010 and many of us are feeling the tension from increased holiday traffic, holiday party obligations, kids being off school, economic woes and general deadlines and busy-ness. All that stress can lead to muscle tension, stress-related ailments like headaches, gastrointestinal distress and fatigue. I have had a lot of extra stress due to final exams myself!

So where can we go for stress relief? You know I am going to say to get a massage! And you know where I recommend going to get fantastic massage, with no appointment needed and  no need to disrobe or take a few hours out of your busy schedules: Working Well Massage chair massage stations in the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park Whole Foods Markets.

DECEMBER YELP SPECIAL: Stop by one of our two Working Well Massage chair stations any time between Noon and 8pm this December and mention our Yelp special to receive a 20-minute massage for only $20 (regularly $24). Offer valid until December 31, 2010. Valid one per client. No valid with other offers. Check out our ad on Yelp:  Go to our WWM Gold Coast ad page here . Go to our WWM Lincoln Park Yelp page here.

I don’t just recommend you go and get a massage from one of the talented Working Well Massage therapists, I go myself! During Final exams, I’ve been to both the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park massage stations for massages quite a few times. I usually get at least 20 minutes, 30 minutes if I have time. In 20 minutes, I know I can get most of the tension worked out of my neck and shoulders with even some attention to my low back. Bending over a computer typing or reading and studying heavy textbooks, makes my neck and shoulders really tense and sore. So, for me, chair massage is perfect because I get attention paid to the areas I hurt the most, while sitting in a really relaxing padded massage chair.

The price for chair massage is very reasonable as well. instead of paying $80 (or MORE) for a massage at a spa where I may or may not get a massage therapist I like, I can get shorter massages, with attention to the areas of my body that need it most (my  back, neck and shoulders) for only $24 for 20 minutes. It’s far easier and cheaper for me to get three 20-minute massages than one hour massage on a table. And it costs me at least $10 less ($70 if you did a full hour at WWM versus $80 for a table massage at a spa). Now, I do enjoy table massages. But they take more time because you not only have to factor in the time for making the appointment as well as the actual massage time, but also time for getting disrobed and dressed after the massage, and time to find parking. At Working Well Massage chair stations, we are located inside Whole Foods stores with free parking. So you can get a great 20 minute massage, grab a healthy meal and you are on your way back to the busy-ness of your life.

For more info about i Well Massage chair massage stations, click here.

For more info on chair massage at Whole Foods in general and for locations around the country, click here.

Working Well Massage
Gold Coast Chair Massage Station

30 West Huron Street
(between Dearborn and State Streets)
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Free parking: Underground lot. Enter off Dearborn Street going Northbound.

Sessions: Drop in, sign up.

Get Directions | In-store Map | Massage Schedule

Wholefood

Hours: Daily, Noon to 8 p.m.

Working Well Massage
Lincoln Park Chair Massage Station
1550 N. Kingsbury
(between North Avenue and Division Street)
Chicago, Illinois 60642
Free parking: available in the garage, enter on Kingsbury

Sessions: Drop in, sign up

Get Directions | In-store Map | Massage Schedule

Wholefood

Hours: Daily, Noon to 8 p.m.
Prices:

Quick Fix (5-Minute Massage) = $6
Short Stop (10-Minute Massage) = $12
Mellow Moment (15-Minute Massage) = $18
Complete Retreat I (20-Minute Massage) = $24
Complete Retreat II (30-Minute Massage) = $35

Additional increments of 5 minutes = $6

Please note that we do not accept credit card payments at the Massage Stations. Payment accepted in cash or checks only. You are welcome to purchase chair massage gift certificates at our Massage Station with cash or checks only during our business hours from noon to 8p.m. We do not accept credit cards at our chair stations for purchase of gift certificates.

How to Use WWM Chair Massage Stations:

  • No need to make an appointment! If someone else is already receiving a massage when you arrive, simply sign in and wait your turn.
  • Before your massage begins, let the therapist know how long you’d like the massage to last and any areas that are bothering you. Be sure to let him or her know if you have any medical contraindications such as high or low blood pressure, pregnancy, or fever.
  • Your therapist will help you get seated in the chair and begin the massage. Let him or her know if you need the pressure adjusted. We welcome your feedback; it helps us give you a better massage.
  • When your massage ends, your therapist will help you out of the chair . He or she will provide you with any feedback you may need about stretching or follow-up.
  • Pay the therapist for the massage. Gratuity is always appreciated but not required.
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Cold Weather Surivial Strategies

Posted in Health and Wellness, tagged , , , , , on December 13, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Today many of you in Chicago and nearby states know it is very very cold. Extremely cold. And these extreme temps can be dangerous. Cold weather often makes us want to stay indoors. But indoor safety hazards like fires resulting from tipped over space heaters or carbon monoxide poisoning resulting can also be safety hazard. The Center for Disease Control has a great list of cold weather safety strategies.

HIghlights from the CDC Winter Weather webpage:

  • You may have to cope with power failures and icy roads.
  • Many homes will be too cold.
  • Space heaters and fireplaces increase the risk of household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Exposure to cold temperature can cause other serious health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.
  • When temperatures drop below normal, heat can leave your body more rapidly.
  • Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.

Tips on dressing for the cold click here.

Download the extreme cold prevention guide in pdf format. Click here for link.

For more information about frostbite and hypothermia, see Winter Weather: Stay Healthy.

For a fantastic explanation of wind chill and how it affects your body, check out the Wind Chill Chart chart on this page.
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Give the Gift of the Earth This Year with Eco Express

Posted in Health and Wellness, tagged , , , , , on December 11, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Looking for a gift for someone who has it all but doesn’t want to contribute to a landfill or environmental waste? Get them something consumable or earth-friendly from Eco-Express, a gift store that specializes in environmentally friendly gifts.

Their website says that Eco-Express creates natural and organic gifts that are unique, memorable and high quality. They provide beautiful gifts that let you support the environment with a wide assortment of earth friendly gourmet, fruit, spa and rain forest green gifts and baskets.

 

Some of their gifts  include:

Bamboo pens

Secret Garden-Flower Garden Kit

Go Green Kit-Shopping bags and more

For eco-friendly baby gifts click here.

For home and garden gifts click here.

For healthy water bottles click here.

For business gifts click here.

Benefits of using EcoExpress:

  • Demonstrates your company’s commitment to the environment
  • Ease of mind because you know unique, quality gifts will be delivered that reflect your company’s image and values
  • Quick, easy and convenient
  • Stand out from the crowd, especially during the holidays by sending gifts no one else will receive – from EcoExpress!

Services provided by Eco-Express:

  • Automatically send gifts to clients and employees for birthdays and special occasions
  • Custom design gift items to fit your company’s personality
  • Imprint company logo on gift items
  • Include business items such as cards, brochure, mugs, etc.
  • Present a professional image to clients, potential clients, and employees
  • Take the hassle out of gift giving by leaving it to the experts – EcoExpress!
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Looking to Learn More About Outdoor Adventure Gear? Check Out REI’s Expert Advice

Posted in Fitness, Health and Wellness, tagged , , , , , , , , , on December 8, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

There are a lot of different places you can get active outdoor gear. I like Amazon. com for the wide selection of items you can get from all over the country. But you can’t touch or test gear sold on Amazon, you can only read other people’s reviews. Sometimes that’s enough. Other times I want to go into a store and see and get a feel for items I buy such as camping gear, tools, GPS systems and bicycle equipment. And it’s helpful to have a seasoned expert tell me about the gear right then and there to help me make better decisions about the tools and equipment I buy to keep me active. At REI, they now added  videos and articles for shoppers to review basic information about active outdoor gear.

Dubbed REI Active Advice, the REI website has a page which links to how to videos, articles and more.  And they have a new REI Expert advice for families to help parents learn ways to incorporate outdoor activities into family time.

Check Out REI Expert Advice for Families

Watch an REI Expert Video

REI experts give you helpful tips, techniques and ideas to show you how to have great outdoor adventures and which gear you’ll need.  Some of the current videos include:

Video: How to Transport Your Boat by CarHow to Transport Your Boat by Car

Articles By REI Experts

REI and guess share expert advice on how to choose and maintain outdoor gear as well as how to  have fun and stay safe on your next outdoor adventure.  Current topics include:

How to Choose Wool Clothing

REI Expert Gear Checklist

REI’s website lets you print out a gear checklist to help you keep track of the details for your next adventure, including:

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Winter Fun in Will County Forest Preserves

Posted in Fitness, Health and Wellness, Nature and Stress, tagged , , , , , , , , on December 7, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. Photo by Sue Shekut

For my birthday in November, my boyfriend took me to a lovely gentle hike at Goodenow Grove near the  Plum Creek Forest Preserve in Crete township. Now that the first snow has fallen, it’s a great time to bundle up yourself and your kids if you have kids) and head to Plum Creek for a cold hike or a sledding adventure!  Plus Creek has a fantastic nature preserve complete with stuffed owls, live snakes and a project area for kids to learn about nature and make artwork. The Plum Creek Nature Center is part of Will County Forest Preserves and it looks like Will County has spent their conservation budget well. The trail is well maintained, the sledding hill is large and wide enough for many people to spend the day sledding on and the nature center guides are knowledgeable and friendly. Check out more about the nature center here.

Goodenow Grove has about four miles of hiking trails that crisscross the preserve. The Trail of Thoughts is  a 0.5-mile paved loop, leads around a pond filled with a cattail marsh to a wildlife observation deck.. The Pine Grove Trail, a 1-mile loop with a natural surface, provides you with a scenic overlook from the highest point in the preserve. For info on the Goodenew Grove Nature Preserve or Plum Creek Nature Center link here.

Will County Forest Preserve Winter Activities

Ice Skating
There are ice skating ponds at both Goodenow Grove and Monee Reservoir open to the public when conditions allow. Ice thickness is checked daily and conditions are posted on the website.

Sledding
There is a 40-foot high sledding hill at Goodenow Grove. Bring their own plastic sleds (no runners allowed), or rent a tube  at Plum Creek Nature Center. (Nature center is located within Goodenow Grove. Tube rental requires a driver’s license or state ID and $1.00/day/tube fee. after sledding you can warm up inside the Nature Center by the fireplace and enjoy a variety of nature-related exhibits. Goodenow Grove sled hill conditions are posted on the website.

As of 2010 a new new sledding hill is open at Butcher Road in the Forked Creek Greenway in Wilmington. This natural hill is not monitored for sledding conditions.

Snowshoeing
Enjoy snowshoeing  the winter trails in the Monee Reservoir’s 2.5-mile trail. You can bring your own or rent snowshoes at the Monee Reservoir concessions building. Then warm up by a wood-burning stove after your trek.

Cross-Country Skiing
Bring your cross country skills to Monee Reservoir, Goodenow Grove, and many other preserves to enjoy the quiet of nature in the winter and burn a lot of calories tredging along the trails..

Our Fall Hike Pics November, 2010 of Goodenew Grove and Plum Creek Nature Center

Plum Creek Nature Center. Photo by Sue Shekut

Trails at the Goodenew Grove Nature Preserve are well mapped and well marked.

Hiking Trails at Goodenow Grove. Photo by Sue Shekut

It’s difficult to get a perspective of how high the sledding hill is from the photo. But is’ a decent sized hill, high and wide enough for sledding.

View of the Sledding Hill from the Top at Goodenow Grove. Photo by Sue Shekut

The Hiking/Snowshoeing Path Sneaks Around a creek

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. Photo by Sue Shekut

The nature center at Plum Creek is top notch!

Inside Plum Creek Nature Center. Photo by Sue Shekut

Snakes are one of the many animals kids can meet at the Plum Creek Nature Center. The Guide holds a gentle snake and let me pet it. Kids can too!

Plum Creek Nature Guide Showing off gentle snake. Photo by Sue Shekut

You know a forest preserve is a place to see and be seen when the rap community deems it a good place to shoot a video!

A Young Rap Artist Shooting a video on Goodenow Grove sledding hill! Photo by Sue Shekut

My boyfriend and I prefer to let our shadows leave our mark, instead of littering or damaging nature preserve property on our hike.

Goodenow Grove Forest Presrve in the Shadows! Photo by Sue Shekut

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Self Care Tips for Muscle Pain

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , on December 3, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Lately laboring long hours over my books and computers along with my regular workload has made me feel like some of my massage clients: I’ve had s sore neck, aching back and painful shoulders.  So I do what I tell my clients and everyone else to do when they have this kind of pain and intense amount of computer or book work. Follow these easy tips to help you reduce your muscle pain.  I’ve been doing them all the past few weeks and it’s getting me through final exams!

1. Since I don’t have much time for table massage as often as I need massage, I’ve been stopping by Whole Foods Gold Coast and Lincoln Park to get chair massages at the WWM massage stations. Check out hours and info here.

 

WWM Chair Station at Whole Foods Gold Coast, 30 W Huron. Image by Sue Shekut.

 

 

2. At night I’ve been using Herbal Muscle Heat balm to help reduce muscle pain and relax my tight muscle knots. I posted about this balm before and it really works. Check out my post here.

 

Herbal Muscle Heating Balm

 

3. When I get home from work or take a study break, I use the Miracle Ball Method to self massage my low back and shoulder trigger points. Link here for more info.

 

4. When I work too long on the computer, I get really sore upper back and neck muscles. For those days, I grab a cold pack from the freezer and wrap it around my neck and shoulders. It helps reduce inflammation and also acts as a mild analgesic (pain reliever). Read more about when to use heat or ice here.

5. I also find that soaking in a hot tub with Epsom salts helps relax my sore muscles, but using an ice pack first helps keep me from increasing inflammation in sore muscles.

6. Lastly, get some rest! Taking time off from the computer or from the desk helps your body relax and rejuvenate.

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A Gym That’s a A Kitchen–A Cooking Class That Offers Fitness? Check Out My Fitness Kitchen

Posted in Fitness, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, tagged , , , , on November 30, 2010| 1 Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

 

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Nutrition+exercise=Good Health

Today I came across an article about a gym that offers cooking classes and teaches basic nutrition to its members. Sadly for Chicagoans, the gym isn’t located in Chicago, but in Pittsburgh, PA. But maybe some enterprising Chicago gym owner/Entrepreneur will like the idea and start one here in the city of restaurants! Hint hint.”An article by Debbie Black in the FOR THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW describes the fitness/nutrition experience of My Fitness  Kitchen here:

With over 23 years of experience working in the fitness industry, the owner of My Fitness Kitchen, Mark Rullo is an exercise physiologist, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, a medical exercise specialist and certified golf fitness instructor.

Gym members can learn to cook from nutritional recipes and are trained in a healthy lifestyle starting with calories, cooking and eating. My Fitness Kitchen recommends supportive nutrition, stressing the need for oxygen to work muscles, concern for muscles, and relaxation and recuperation.

Read the entire article here.

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Thank you for reading Working Well Resources blog and Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted in Health and Wellness, Nutrition, tagged , , , on November 25, 2010| Leave a Comment »

CORONADO, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2007) Storekeeper 1...
CORONADO, Calif. Storekeeper 1st Class Andy Zhang enjoys Thanksgiving dinner with his son. Image via Wikipedia

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to give thanks and count our blessings. It can also be a time to overeat and overindulge. Here a few tips to help keep you from feeling like you lost control of your healthy eating habits on this feastful holiday:

1. Eat small portions of each food item you want to sample.

2. Don’t deprive yourself of dessert or you may overeat something else. If you want a slice of  pie, have one. Just cut a half  a slice, let that digest an hour or so before you think about having more!

3. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Dehydration can make you want to consume more food. And drinking water fills your stomach so you don’t have as much room for food.

4. If you drink alcohol, remember it is dehydrating. Trade off between one glass of water for every beer or glass of wine (or mixed drink if you are hitting harder stuff.)

5. Remember that this holiday is really about spending time with friends and family. Focus on the social interactions and the food becomes less of an issue.

6. If you are struggling with overeating or overindulging, do the dishes! It helps out the hostess/host and gives you something to do with your hands besides munch!

A Heartfelt Thank You

And thank you for reading my blog. It’s been a great year for Working Well Massage, am exceptionally happy year for me and a wonderful year for the many people in my life that have benefited from massage therapy, wellness coaching, personal training, better ergonomics, outdoor exercising, and good nutrition! I am grateful to have the opportunity to meet so many interesting and positively motivated people as I travel around and find interesting stories for  my blog. It’s the people I meet and work with that make my life interesting and fulfilling. A heartfelt thank you to all of you I’ve come in contact with this year, on the blog and in real life!

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