Of course, we all know Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14. But did you know that February is also National Heart Health Month? February is a great month to pay some attention to all matters of the heart – physical and emotional. It is a reminder to make yourself and your loved one a priority; a time to focus on health and relationships. One of the best ways to do both is with a couple’s massage! A couple’s massage offers an hour or more of time that is centered around you and your loved one. A … [Read more...] about Doing the Heart, Relationship Some Good with a Couple’s Massage
Columnists
Try a Little Tenderness
It’s February, Valentine’s Day – and it’s all about love. Usually, this is about love for others, expressed through flowers, chocolates, massages and nice cards. There is also a gift to the self that allows giving greater love to others. Humans seem hardwired to look for the negative. This serves as a survival purpose. Being aware of threats to existence is crucial to living to the next day and continuing the species. The next level is being alert to the negative, things which cause injury to … [Read more...] about Try a Little Tenderness
Should I Clean Out My Bird House?
If you have a bird house in your yard, you may be wondering whether you should clean it out each year. After all, cavity-nesting birds typically come back to the same nesting locations year after year. Chances are, the nest is in a state of disrepair after raising a brood or two the previous year. Some varieties of birds are much more fastidious than others. For example, both hummingbirds and house finches tend to have very dirty nests. When the babies in the nest need to defecate, they … [Read more...] about Should I Clean Out My Bird House?
Love is in the Air
Love may be in the air, but we can also find it lounging on a beach; while exploring the native culture Down Under; when skiing the French Alps; as we’re navigating museums and UNESCO World Heritage Sites or while gazing up at the Northern Lights – just to name a few of our favorites. With Valentine’s Day approaching, many of us are thinking about the special people in our lives. Marriage proposals, weddings and vow renewals will be at an annual high. We have a few tips for everyone to add a … [Read more...] about Love is in the Air
Understanding the Stages of Change
The new year is well upon us, and many have been making changes as a component of a New Year’s resolution. Identified changes may be orchestrated to become healthier by increasing physical activities, or an effort to eat a well-balanced diet. You may have attempted these changes in the past, with limited success. In order to create change in your life, you must first understand the process of making sustainable changes. The Transtheoretical Model, also known as the Stages of Change Model, … [Read more...] about Understanding the Stages of Change
Exploring Opportunities to Finance, Start, Expand Your Business
The year 2020 can be a year of economic change for people who have dreamed of owning a small business or expanding a current business. Starting or expanding a small business takes courage and the willingness to accept new challenges. It takes planning to overcome those challenges and to take risks to achieve the rewards of a growing business. It also requires access to financing. These are two challenges with which our local non-profit community-focused business development partners can help. … [Read more...] about Exploring Opportunities to Finance, Start, Expand Your Business
Jump-Starting Your Health Focus with a Dietitian
The following is a question and answer session with Northern Arizona Healthcare Dietitian and certified diabetes educator Shannon Heffern, RDN: How can I make 2020 my healthiest year yet? You have the power to lengthen your life by making smarter choices! One important thing is not to follow a “diet.” You need a way of eating that’s sustainable. U.S. News & World Report, which ranked Flagstaff Medical Center a No. 2 hospital in Arizona, looked at the top 42 diets in America and … [Read more...] about Jump-Starting Your Health Focus with a Dietitian
Understanding the Role of Vitamin D3 for Winter Wellness
Vitamin D3 is crucial to immune function, healthy mood and a host of other critical aspects of health; yet, its deficiency is ubiquitous worldwide. Particularly at this time of year when outdoor activity and sun exposure are limited, supplementation with Vitamin D3 can be foundational to our well-being. For decades, Vitamin D was only thought to help normalize calcium, and phosphate mineralization of bone; assist in the absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphate from the gastrointestinal … [Read more...] about Understanding the Role of Vitamin D3 for Winter Wellness
How a City Budget Reflects the Community’s Values
Hello, Northern Arizona! I hope your year and your decade are off to a great start! Here at the city we’re getting ready to work on our annual budget. It might be the most important thing we do as a council. Collectively, over days and weeks, we decide where to spend your tax dollars in order to keep Flagstaff running. Regardless of what happens on the national stage, a city has to operate, firefighters and police need to be available, roads need to be cleared, the landfill needs to be … [Read more...] about How a City Budget Reflects the Community’s Values
Five Ways to Keep Your Money Local
In the age of two-day shipping and convenient megastores, it’s easy to think that opting for a national brand is the best use of your money. However, supporting Arizona businesses and organizations means your money stays local, through taxes, investments and more. That means that your hard-earned money, once spent, continues to work for you and improve the economy. Local First Arizona Executive Director Thomas Barr believes that every Arizonan can support the economy by spending money at … [Read more...] about Five Ways to Keep Your Money Local