I have a few trips scheduled this summer which ultimately makes scheduling a bit nuts.   But hey, these trips represent the well deserved break that I need in order to remain fresh, enthusiastic and energetic for your sessions.

First trip is this month, leaving June 22nd and returning to my practice on July 5th – heading to Idaho to support my husband as he races his 5th Ironman.  And yes, my husband gets massage – every week as a matter of fact and we continually manage to keep him an injury free highly functioning zombie during his Ironman prep.  This is going to be exciting, I will be updating MB’s facebook page throughout the race!

Next, I will be departing on August 5th for my annual east coast ocean fix and returning to my practice on Tuesday, August 17th.  As a Pisces, Rat and water lover this vacation is nothing less than necessary.  I plan to visit one of the neighboring islands, shop authentic Cape goods with my mom, love my little nephew Vinnie Louis and eat a ton of seafood (see photo from last year’s visit).

My suggestion is the earlier the better for scheduling and I will do everything I can to accommodate all requests.

Be well all and get your well deserved vacations scheduled too!

Similar to massage, these tasty treats will make you feel good but unlike massage these are an indulgence, not a necessity. In line with all of the cooking I do, I recommend going as organic as you can with these.

Blackberry Scones
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter (I melt and cool = easier)
1 cup fresh blackberries
3/4 cup half and half cream
1 egg

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2) Add butter into mixture of flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Add blackberries and toss to mix
3) In separate bowl beat together cream and egg, and slowly pour into dry ingredients stirring with rubber scraper until dough forms.  Knead just until it comes together, 3 or 4 times.  Don’t overhandle.
4) Divide dough in half.  On lightly floured board, shape each half into a 6-inch round.  Cut into 6 wedges.
5) I like to sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar on top
6) Bake on ungreased sheet about 20 minutes at 375 degrees (convection oven: 16-17 min).

Serve warm!

An optimist is a person who generally believes that life on earth, people and events are inherently good, so that most situations work out in the end for the best.

My entire life I’ve been told that I am positive and optimistic. I agree I am, but it’s not without effort, conscious choice and lots of letting go. I understand quite well that life is full of challenges but I believe there is a learning experience within each challenge and always good things to take away. I feel that practicing optimism has allowed me to view life in a more balanced manner.

Here are some of the facts, benefits and bonuses I found online regarding optimism:

– Optimists have superior health
in a study of 99 Harvard University students, those who were optimists at age 25 were significantly healthier at ages 45 and 60 than those who were pessimists.

-Optimistic athletes have greater achievement
In a study of competitive swimmers it was found that pessimistic swimmers who were never satisfied with their times, always thinking they should have done better were prone to future poor performance. Optimistic swimmers didn’t have this vulnerability.

– Optimists experience less stress because they believe in themselves and expect good things to happen

– Optimists do not give up as easy as pessimists therefore are more likely to be successful

– Optimists live longer
A study of heart health showed that the heart of an optimist stays healthy longer than those of pessimists.

Practice optimism right now. Here’s a good article to get you started – READ ARTICLE