Another month has flown by, and we're all anticipating SPLASH PATH, which is set for Pathfinder Village on Saturday, May 19. There's still time to take advantage of our early registration; just go to our easy online registration at splashpath@racewire.com. Registration fees go up modestly after May 5; those who register early are guaranteed an official fifth anniversary Splash Path tee and a goodie bag with great stuff provided by our area businesses and sponsors.
Of course, we welcome everyone to our next delicious Pathfinder Produce market, set for the Pathfinder Village Commons on Thursday, from 1 to 5 p.m. Our online ordering is open each week too, running Fridays through Wednesdays at noon, for the following Thursday market. Just cruise over to our ordering site at http://pathfindervillage.org/our-village/pathfinder-produce.
Just a quick note on the news: Many people are concerned about the recent outbreak of E.coli bacteria affecting lettuce crops. Please note that this outbreak affects crops from Arizona; Pathfinder Produce is presently obtaining its Romaine from California.
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Last week, our Pathfinder staff had our first outdoor work day of the season, a tradition through which office staff and house managers assist our maintenance staff with winter clean-up around our beautiful campus. Teams rake leaves, pick-up sticks, and help clean out our garden beds. This year, I was on raking detail, which I enjoyed despite a chill in the air.
I thought that I would be sore with aching muscles after raking, but I was fine the following day. Lately, I've been trying to sit less, and walk and stretch more. The weekend, which was spent working on a flooring project at home, was less kind though, so now I’m working through some sore knees and lower back aches. (Time for the shiatsu massager!)
I’m not alone in this “aging achy” thing. Our beloved ding-a-ling labrador, Della, goes through a stretching routine each morning … it’s comical to watch. It involves deep stretching of the spine by lowering her front legs with her back legs fully elevated (downward dog); speech-like vocalizations and deep, long yawns to clear the cobwebs, and one or two shakes of the head. It always ends with a longing look my way to say, “Haven’t you forgotten to fill my food bowl?”
Now that she’s a senior dog, we try to buy her food that contains glucosamine, which is said to support healthy joint function for dogs. In the event she over-does it and runs too fast or far, I will give her one baby aspirin (mixed with food) for temporary pain relief. (She’s a big girl – 80 lbs. Always check dosage and guidelines with your vet for administering any medications to pets; there are some things they can take and other human medications that can cause severe side-effects).
One human OTC product company offers a good explanation for why we get achy as we age: Muscle pains and strains become more common because muscle fibers begin to lose density with each passing birthday. That’s why it’s so important to continue exercising to keep muscles as strong as possible ... With age, the joints and tendons also become stiff, and the cartilage in joints begin to wear away. Stretching and yoga can improve the movement of ligaments and joints to improve flexibility and range of motion.
The same website offers some non-medication methods for relief of aches and pains for aging humans, including:
· Exercise a little every day
· Eat more fish or take fish oil supplements
· Eat foods with turmeric
· Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight
· Eat grapes and berries rich in resveratrol and antioxidants
· Cut processed and sugary foods out of your diet
· Use heat- and cold therapy
· Try meditation and deep breathing exercises for pain
· Try acupuncture and acupressure
· Use soothing topical treatments or take Epsom salt baths
· Use physiotherapy to strengthen muscles
Until next time, keep moving!
Lori
