Massage ~ It’s not indulgence. It’s good for you!

Nothing feels better than a long, deep-tissue massage.   If you’re like us, you probably think that an hour on the massage table, the aroma of ylang-ylang, the dim lights and the soft music…are well, pretty close to heaven on earth.  And, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, it turns out that getting a massage may be more than just a highly pleasurable indulgence.  It is actually beneficial to your health.  A recent article in Real Age explains how it works.

So, next time you are getting a massage to ease those sore muscles, it might just be that you are reducing your blood pressure at the same time.  You may even see a short term drop in your heart rate.  How good is that!

Don’t you love it when something so good turns out to be something so good for you?   Ok, time to try the hot stone massage!

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Open That Bottle Night!

Have you been saving a cherished bottle of wine or bubbly waiting for some special occasion that, so far, has never quite happened?  Well wait no more!  Thanks to Open That Bottle Night founded by Dorothy Gaither and John Brecher who write the weekly tasting column in the Wall Street Journal, you’ve now got the perfect excuse.

It seems that every year since 2000, on a specific Saturday night in February, friends, couples and groups around the world get together to enjoy a special bottle of wine or champagne that they’ve been saving on the wine shelf (or in the cellar if they’re lucky!)

This year Open that Bottle Night is Feb. 28 and its the 10th anniversary of the event.  Dorothy and John say that it really doesn’t matter if the wine is expensive or low cost, red or white, or even if it is still good.   What matters are the memories associated with the wine.

So we say gather some friends, set out some cheese and crackers and get ready to sip, swish and swirl away.

Here’s a toast to you!

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Better than a Downward Dog?

Did you know that owning a dog can make your Real Age younger?  It’s true!  Your Real Age is the biological age of your body based on over 100 different factors – many of which YOU control.  Turns out Fido really might be your best friend.

Take the Real Age Test and find out your Real Age.  Maybe it’s time to pick up your Pound Puppy…or at least get to the gym for a few downward dogs.

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Are These Sisters Flourishing or What?

We believe that flourishing is about being fabulous and having fun at every age, about finding new adventures and sharing them with your women friends.   Well, we recently discovered a group of women who are doing all that and more.  We just had to share their story.

Sisters on the Fly Caravan

Meet Sisters on The Fly.  These women know how to live life with gusto!

We were at the Portland Fly Fishing Show (Don’t ask, it was Valentine’s Day and we were humoring our honey.) and as we wandered with glazed over eyes between the displays of fly tying do-dahs and over the top rods and reels, there suddenly appeared a colorful vision of fun and female feistiness.  Of course, they reeled us right in!  There in the middle of the show, three women had created their own campground, complete with 1950′s vintage trailers, homey decor, flowers – the works.  They were having a ball, so of course, we just had to go over and find out who these lovely ladies were.

Turns out they are part of a group of over 1000 women from all over the US who love the outdoors, love to travel and love to spend time with like-minded women. 

Sisters on the Fly’s motto is “we have more fun than anyone”.  The ladies saddle up their Cowgirl Caravan of customized vintage trailers and drive from  adventure to adventure.  These adventures are primarily centered around fly fishing but a quick look at their events calendar and you’ll see all kinds of  fun  opportunities for outdoor socializing and hangin’ with the girlfriends   Almost makes us want to learn how to fly fish – almost.

Flourish sends out a big “You Go Girls!” to the Sisters and we’re hoping to see your trailer caravan on the road soon.

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Laughter. It’s good for the soul!

Curious about Laughter Yoga?  We were to, so Flourish set out to learn more and share it with our Flourish members at our February Salon featuring Laughter Yoga with Portland’s laughter yoga guru, Andrea Crisp.

Talk about a giggled-filled afternoon.  We laughed so hard our abs hurt, our faces were tired and we felt soooo good when we were done!  We highly recommend Laughter Yoga.  It’s great for stress release, a fab workout and it just makes you feel wonderful.  Professional photographer Pauline Zonneveld captured these laughing moments.

Want to try Laughter Yoga for yourself?  Get more info or sign up for a class at www.portlandlaughteryoga.com.

All together now ….. Ha Ha Ho Ho Ho…..

Andrea Crisp of Portland Laughter Yoga

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Meet January’s Fabulously Flourishing Friend ~ Katie Johnson

We recently caught up with Katie Johnson, the whirlwind behind Kix by Katie. We were looking for the inside scoop.  Here’s what she shared…

Who is your hero?
My husband, Wes, without a doubt!  He believes in me!  He’s always so solid and grounded and has a wonderful ability to see through all of the clutter I can sometimes bring into my life and say – “here take my hand this is the way to go”  and I know he’s right.  Then he says “okay, there you go” and lets me fly off again all confident and secure that he will be there again when I need him.  That’s the best feeling ever!

What is your favorite quote and why?
“If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time!”
It reminds me that to keep moving forward and making progress in anything you have to have something you’re aiming for, a goal.  You don’t have to know every step, or the exact path, but you do have to know where you want to end up.  That way you’re more aware of and more apt to act on opportunities, on a daily basis, that will lead you in the general direction of your goal.

If you were a pair of shoes what kind would you be and why?
I would be a stilletto for sure!  Red sole and heel with leopard print on top.  A peep or semi pointy toe but definitely a sling or open back so I would  need to wear my Kix By Katie!  They would be made from the softest most delicious smelling leather.  and according to my husband cost A LOT!    Why?    It just makes me feel fabulous!

What keeps you flourishing?
They say it takes a village to raise a child, well, it takes a village to raise a business as well!  and most importantly to do it in a way that you are proud of and lets you stay balanced.  I feel like I have a village of smart and fascinating people around me all adding their unique talents to help me flourish.  My God, children, husband, parents, siblings, friends and of course my business associates each play an important role.  Keeping them all close to me and paying attention to them keeps me grounded and focused on what is really important at that moment.  I need that to keep growing in the right direction.  I can’t thank you all enough for that!

I can’t wait to…
Go to my first Trade Show in Las Vegas this weekend!  I am visioning so many new retail accounts that I will have to redo our whole “Where To Buy” Page and group it alphabetically by states!

Thank you Katie.  You are an inspiration to all of us.  Keep on flourishing!

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