Boringly Simple Mega Healthy Practice

Asking yourself "What's with the photo of dental floss?

Anticipating some clever tidbit that probably never occurred to you? Hmm, not happening next.

Sure, this floss is blue which could be a possible research study comparing say whether floss color has any effect on frequency of flossing. But actually the point of the photo is that flossing like many healthy practices is cheap, low in time commitment, and has tangible results over time. But we often find them so simple that we consider them boring and not much of a challenge.

I walked over to my local corner drugstore here in Woodland --literally Corner Drug on Main Street--and purchased this floss in the oral hygiene section. Okay so flossing helps prevent gum disease and tooth loss you are thinking. As your eyes roll, you think "tell me something I don't know."

Know this: flossing helps reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. That's right: help protect your heart by flossing your teeth.

That's right--2 minutes a day, 18 inches of floss, 5 -10 up and down scrubs snug around each tooth and you save teeth and heart.

Let's start bragging about our laps around our teeth in addition to laps around the track.

Wellbeing In Woodland's City Park

A picnic table at City Park located in the heart of historic Woodland makes a handy surface for mixing watercolors for my first lesson in watercolor painting.

The magnificent oak trees with their writhing, twisted massive branches are engrossing, challenging subjects for pencil drawings. In the past year, I have spent many a peaceful and mindful hour really looking at these trees and drawing them on paper.

A recent spring day, I branch out into exploring watercolor for the first time.

The possibilities of mixing of shades and tones are vast.

The day

is a wee bit windy,

reminding me of the ocean.

Breathe, relax, enjoy and really see the beauty around us here in Woodland.

Spring Perfect Walking Weather In Woodland

A beautiful spring rose I spied today while on my way

to the track over at Douglas Junior High School. I heard doves cooing, owls hooting and crows cawing while taking my urban hike south on the First Street sidewalk.

I like walking laps around the track at Douglas because I can walk backwards part of the lap as

well as forward.

Walking backwards not only uses different muscle groups; walking backwards also helps prevent inflammation of the tibialis anterior muscle. "Shin splints" is a common term for this type of muscle inflammation.

Another way to prevent "shin splints" is to strengthen the tibialis anterior muscle through toe taps. Toe taps can be done either

standing or sitting. Keeping your heel on the floor, lift your toes. (See photos right). Then tap your toes down. Do this 25 times with each foot. This is easy to do while waiting in line.

Repeat the sets a couple of times a day to avoid front of the shin soreness when starting a walking program.

And if you are being encouraged by your doctor to get moving more, walking in Woodland in the spring is beautiful. Just remember to start off with short distances and gradually increase distance. And take a water bottle with you to sip to stay well "watered".

I hope to see you out for a walk soon in our lovely city. Please feel free to comment on your favorite Woodland urban hike.

Roses right around the corner

Spring has sprung and not only are the days destined to be lushly longer with lingering sun filled hours, roses will be blooming at their spring peak in a few short weeks.

A cost-free way to enhance your sense of well-being here in Woodland is to literally smell the roses. Talk a walk down First Street and round the corner at Oak Avenue to indulge in the heady fragrance of rose blossoms.

Or on your way in or out of our very own Carnegie Woodland Public Library, linger in the Rose Gardens. Allow yourself to experience the natural perfume of the roses while relaxing on one of the benches.

Breathe deeply, relax for a few minutes out in the natural light, and notice how you can let that niggling worry in the back of your mind fade from attention.....