Mon, 6 Feb 2012
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Review: The Knobble II by the Pressure Positive Company
Knobble II is the newly designed cousin of the all-wood classic favorite of therapists and self care enthusiasts. Still about the size of a standard doorknob, it is made of durable polymer. The base is held in the palm of the hand, and the smoothly rounded tip is used to apply pressure to trigger points in soft tissue. The Knobble II has the added benefit of a soft band of non-latex, Santoprene around the base that allows for friction techniques. Bodyworkers often use the Knobble II to save wear and tear on their hands when applying deep, prolonged pressure to knots or strands of contracted muscle. But the Knobble II is not meant to replace your healing hands, only to help them do more and last longer. Remember to position yourself in such a way that you use your weight, not just your strength, to apply pressure to the muscle. Avoid direct pressure against the spine and other bones.
What a handy little device. While there are lots of little massagers on the market, this one had a lot of cool features:
-just the right size (about as big as a doorknob)
-the tip is really smooth to decrease friction (some massagers can “catch”)
-has this rubber stuff around the top where you grip it so it doesn’t slip around
-looks prettier sitting around than other massagers 
Buy: The Knobble II by the Pressure Positive Company, Sapphire Blue
Review: Profoot Super Sport Moulded Arch/Heel Support Women
eatures:
- absorb shock to foot, knee and lower back
- reduce knee pain
- relieve shin splint pain
- support weakened arches
- alleviate achilles injury pain
The Super Sport’s moulded design supports both front-to-back and side-to-side arches keeping these bones in their natural position, helpful in eliminating fatigue. The Poron insert at the bottom of the heel absorbs shock to this tender area. 1 pair per pack.
Having developed Plantar Fascitis (sp?) again in my foot and knowing how long it took to mend last time (a year of pain) and having quite high arches in my feet I decided to try some support for my shoes.
I ordered two different types of support and these were one of them. They are very comfortable and have adapated to all my shoes and and more importantly I don’t feel any pain in my feet anymore! (Have noticed I cannot walk around the house in bare feet or slippers anymore – I need a shoe with these supports in).
HIGHLY recommended! (As opposed to the other type of in-shoe support I ordere on the net – they were a Gel-type in shoe support which was a total waste of money and painful to use). Of course, different types of support might suit different types of feet.
Review: FRS Healthy Energy Powdered Drink Mix
Features:
- Gives you sustained energy to help you be focused and fully charged
- Fueled by quercetin, a powerful antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables
- Helps the body produce real energy, helps enhance fitness and supports the immune system
- For best results, drink 2-3 servings per day
- Only 10 calories per serving
FRS Healthy Energy Powered Drink Mix comes in a box of single-serve stick packs. The packs are small, lightweight and easy to add to a water bottle. With just 10 calories each, they provide 250mg of quercetin in the lowest-calorie way to get FRS sustained energy.
I am pretty much a sceptic of so-called energy drinks. Most of them give you a quick buzz, then let you down just as hard. But, that being said, I am a cyclist, so I decided to give this a try since Lance has his hand in the company.
I love it. I love it. What I especially love is the fact that it is a gradual release. You don’t get that horribly jumpy I-gotta-run-around-the-block feeling. I drink it about 30 minutes before my ride, which is usually 20 to 30 miles, and about a third of the way into the ride it kicks in. I don’t get a rush, just a feeling that I can keep going and push a little harder. The energy really does seem to last for a few hours without a horrible crash at the end.
Taste is not bad, not great, but certainly drinkable. I got the orange powder. I put it in a shaker bottle with eight ounces of COLD water, let it sit for a bit, then drink. It reminds me of the orange Tang I used to drink as a kid.
Buy: FRS Healthy Energy Powdered Drink Mix, Low Cal Orange, 14-Count Packets
Review: Braun ThermoScan 5 IRT4520 Ear Thermometer
Features:
- Clinically tested, number 1 ear thermometer
- Unique Thermoscan Feedback system confirms in seconds that the thermometer is in the correct position and an accurate temperature reading has been taken
- Temperature results in degrees C or degrees F
- Accurate and safe for newborns and the whole family
- New ultra soft and gentle tip is warmed up for accuracy and extra comfort
I’m a GP and have tried many different thermometers – I don’t have any shares with these guys but it is the best I came across so far. Easy to use and always exact. The problem with most thermometers is that over time they need re-calibration but this one goes for years and still gives the correct temperature. In my job you need one you can trust and this one delivers – most of my colleagues are also using it now.
Buy it: Braun ThermoScan 5 IRT4520 Ear Thermometer
Review: Twin Lab B-12 Dots
Features:
- Vegetarian formula; 100% natural cherry flavor
- Does not contain soy, yeast, wheat, milk, starch or egg derivatives.
- Sugar- and gelatin-free; no preservatives, fructose, honey, artificial flavors or colors.
Specially formulated, tiny, micro-sub lingual Vitamin B-12 tablets Each Dot quickly dissolves under the tongue for maximum absorption of Vitamin B-12. B-12 Dots are specially formulated tiny sub lingual B-12 tablets. One Dot (sub lingual tablet) contains 500 mcg of Vitamin B-12. Delicious 100% natural cherry flavor.
Originally my wife had these recommended by a local chiropractor because she was always tired. She liked them (at about $15 per bottle!) so I found them on the internet at a much cheaper price of $6-9. She has been using them about 10 years and swears by them. My mother, who’ll be 93 in September, has been getting a monthly B-12 shot for over 25 years which never fails to perk her up. Mom’s doctor tells me it is not an effective booster for everyone. You have to try it and see if it helps. I tried the pills for a month, and couldn’t discern any change, but I take a Vitamin B complex pill daily which probably serves the same purpose. Note: This is the cheapest I have seen the Twin Labs brand!
Buy it: Twin Lab B-12 Dots, 250-Count
Review: Source Naturals Neptune Krill Oil 500mg
Features:
- An extract from Antarctic krill that is rich in cell membrane building blocks
- Features phospholipids specially integrated with omega-3 essential fatty acids for building healthy cell membranes
- Supports heart health & cell membrane integrity
- Beneficial to both men and women
- NKO¿ also provides temporary relief of PMS symptoms
Dietary supplement. Supports heart health & cell membrane integrity. 100% Pure Krill Oil. NKO is an extract from Antarctic krill that is rich in cell membrane building blocks: highly unsaturated phospholipids co-functionalized with omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA). Although beneficial for both men and women, NKO also supports temporary relief of PMS symptoms. (These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.) Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn, soy or wheat. Contains no sugar, starch, preservatives, or artificial color or fragrance.
I did some research and found that Krill Oil is even more potent than the high quality fish oil I was taking, I think due to the Phospholipid structure of the oil and how the EPA and DHA are attached at the molecular level. The trigliceride structure of the fish oil is not as biovalable (the percentage your body actually utilizes) as the Krill Oil in the phospholipid structure.
I found that the Krill Oil seemed more efficient and cost effective in delivering the same results.
How I got on to Omega-3s as a treatment for ADD/ADHD:
A friend of mine who has always had a problem with ADD/ADHD told me that he was taking something that changed his life. (I have also struggled with ADD/ADHD my whole life.) He reccomended a brand of high quality fish oil. I tried two bottles of the capsules, no fish burps like many people have experienced (thats just my stomach).
Christmass tips: light therapy systems
Light therapy systems for boost your mood and energy. (more…)
