During a recession times are tough, but not all gifts have to be expensive – just so long as it is from the heart. Here is a listing of the popular health products for 2009 that would make excellent Thanksgiving gift ideas. Give a gift from the heart; show you care by getting a Thanksgiving gift to promote good health.

In no particular order, popular Thanksgiving gift ideas below $100:

Aromatherapy Diffusers – Germs are in the air, and we are trapped inside with them as we shut doors and windows to conserve heat from winter frost.  An aromatherapy diffuser can help purify the air with a light fragrance, and can be found at reasonable prices online, or at the nearest aromatherapy/health shop.

Soap & Lotion – An excellent Thanksgiving gift idea for anybody, whether they’re friend, family, or acquaintance. Buy one pre-packaged, or create a set at a low cost. Everyone needs moisturizing and cleaning products, especially during cold season when we need to promote cleanliness and health etiquette.

Body Massagers – There are many massagers out there that come in all different forms, and a lot can be found for under $100. Great for soothing and relaxing sore, tense muscles. Some of the new massagers these days now have an infrared setting, which radiates heat as you massage. Allowing for a deeper, more relaxing massage; not to mention, the heat also improves the flow of the circulation system and removal of body toxins.

Jarred Goodies – My favorite & money saving gift idea. Take your favorite recipe and jar the dry ingredients. Then, on a tag write what wet ingredients need to be added, and cooking procedures. Attach the tag to the jar with string. Make this Thanksgiving gift idea healthy by using a healthy recipe, or you can even just fill the jar with already made goodies.

Neck traction – A popular product of 2009, and a great Thanksgiving gift idea for under $100 for those who have neck problems. The safest alternative to all other neck-stretchers, as it is small and portable. Air is pumped into the neck traction, which then gently stretches the neck to the user’s choice of preference.

There has been some confusion about this galvanic or ultrasound facial massager.

Yeah, they call it the facial massager, so many people would think this machine will “massage your face” like a vibrating massage machine.

Well, it does massage your face, but not like a vibrating massager.

Instead it’s using ultrasound waves and galvanic ion to treat the skin cells. Ultrasound waves penetrate deep into the skin to remove the wastes and dead skin cells.

Ultrasound waves is invisible for the human eyes. You don’t feel it, but it is working.  So the ultrasound machine is exfoliating your skin.

Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells. It reduces the amount of dead cell build-up on the skin. Instead call this as a facial massager, they should call it the EXFOLIATION MACHINE.

facial massager

As you’ve been following the news, Swine flu has affected many cities throughout the North America. People have reason to panic. However, instead of panicking it’s better to think calmly about the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection.

What is Swine Flu and how can you get it?

The Swine Flu virus (H1N1) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by what is known as type A influenza virus and causes outbreaks in pigs.

Swine flu CANNOT be spread by eating pork that is properly cooked, but the virus is primarily spread by human-to-human contact. Humans can pass H1N1 to another person by sneezing or coughing. It can also be passed indirectly by coming in contact with contaminated surfaces.

You might want to know what are the symptons of H1N1 so that you will know whether you are infected or not, so you can seek immediate treatment.

What are the symptoms of Swine Flu H5N1?

Symptoms of this swine flue include:

- Fever,

- Coughing

- Sore throat

- Body aches

- Headache

- Chills

- Fatigue.

Diarrhea and vomiting are also possible symptoms.

How to protect yourself from swine Flu?

It is absolutely essential that you wash your hands properly. Use a good amount of soap and warm water. As well, use paper towels to turn off the tap so that you don’t recontaminate you hands. Anti-bacterial soap is recommended.

If possible, try to buy N95 masks to prevent breathing in particulates that have been contaminated the virus. However, you must realize that N95 masks are not 100% effective as virus as often too small to be blocked from entering your longs.

Nevertheless, they can offer some protection if they are worn properly (eg. properly sealed). However, there is a highly effective ’secret weapon’ that you can have at your home.

Secrets of Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils

The secret is the use of Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. As you might know, unlike drugs that are manufactured in precise batches, each batch of Essential Oils is unique. This is important because viruses and bacteria cannot figure out what they are up against (since their ‘enemy’ is always changing faces).

Therefore, viruses and bacteria cannot develop resistance to Essential Oils. You see, Essential Oils are derived from trees and other plants that use Essential Oils to protect themselves from attack.

The secret of using the plant’s ’secret weapon’ to protect humans goes back centuries, when the “Black Death” (bubonic plague) that devastated much of Europe. A handful of thieves used this ’secret’ to protect themselves from contracting the bubonic plague so that they could rob from those who were dying from the plague. It sounds pretty harsh of them but we do have to give them credit for being smart.

Instead of being like the selfish albeit, smart thieves, who didn’t share their secret, why not get some Essential Oils for yourself and your loved ones?

Effective Use of Essential Oils With Aromatherapy Diffuser

It should be noted however, that in order to diffuse the Essential Oils throughout your room, you would need what is called an aromatherapy diffuser.

Fight Swine Flu with Aromatherapy Diffuser

A few days ago, I went to see a professional massage therapist because I was interested in receiving a Shiatsu massage and a Deep Tissue Massage. I get occasional lower back pain from playing sports so I wanted to see if a Shiatsu massage or a deep tissue massage would help.

At my first session, I chose a Shiatsu massage which is more or less an acupressure massage which involves applying medium pressure to specific acupuncture points or trigger points on my body. This type of massage feels quite comfortable because you don’t feel any pain during the massage. The massage therapist informs me that like most massages, I will need to have regular sessions of Shiatsu massage in order to get the ultimate benefits. The day after receiving this massage, I did not notice any difference.

The next day, I went back for a deep tissue massage which is recommended for body pain from sports or if you have tight tense muscles in general. During this massage, I definitely felt pain on my shoulders, back, and legs. Since my lower back was a bit painful before the massage, this type of massage was actually loosening the tense muscles in my lower back and I could feel an increase in blood circulation in my back. A deep tissue massage really feels like a workout even though I’m lying flat on my stomach with the therapist doing all the work.

The next day, my body felt a bit painful in areas where I did not have pain initially but my lower back was actually feeling better. For me, it seems like a deep tissue massage really helps to reduce pain from playing sports.

shiatsu massager

How Can You Relieve Your School Stress?

The beginning of March is always a stressful time for university students.  Exams, project deadlines, and readings can be daunting, not to mention working a part-time job on top of that.  As a full-time student, rest and relaxation is the farthest thing from my mind.

So, how do I keep myself sane in light of all this?  The scent of eucalyptus.  That answer might be a surprise coming from a university student, but aromatherapy really does keep me calm while I’m dealing with the pressures of school.

How Does Aromatherapy Work?

Aromatherapy is the use of all- natural essential oils to relieve both physical and emotional stress.  The aromas of these oils activate your sense of smell and affects the part of your brain that controls mood and emotions, leaving you relaxed and relieved.

Common oils used are lavender, jasmine, lemon, rose, sandalwood, and eucalyptus.  I’ve found eucalyptus to be the most effective at relieving stress.  It has a way of centering my mind as I find myself taking slower, calmer breaths.

What Are Different Aromatherapy Methods?

These scents can be applied to the body with body oils or diffused in the air through candles, burners, or other diffusers.  I’ve found the ultrasonic aromatherapy diffuser to work best.  Ultrasonic diffusers generate aroma mists through sonic waves, much safer than diffusers that rely on flames.  It’s quiet and runs on a timer, so I can leave it on as I study and feel my stress go away!

aromatherapy diffuser

I am 32 years of age and am stating to feel the effects of gravity (god help me). A friend of mine actually advised me to start using the galvanic treatment on my face. Well her being an esthetician I took her advice, and surprisingly I started to see results quicker than I had imagined. The muscles on my face have started to get tighter and more youthful looking.

I have been using it about 3-4 times a week and have seen drastic results compared to pictures I took before I started. My skin looks brighter, vibrant and healthy not to mention youthful, especially around my eyes, where most of the sagging was starting to occur.

Believe it or not I was asked for my ID when purchasing lottery tickets a few weeks ago! I definitely urge people to start using this treatment regularly. It is effective, easy, comfortable and painless! If you don’t believe me then try it for yourself, you have nothing to lose.

galvanic treatment - face massager

Last week our office temperature dropped dramatically. Summer is officially over now.  It was rainy, cold, and windy.

My shoulders suddenly felt sore and cold. Luckily, I had a Bio Heating pad that can be used to relieve shoulder pain.

I put the bio heating pad in the microwave for 3-4 minutes and slipped it into a soft textile cover.  After heating the pad in the microwave, I placed the heating pad on my shoulders and wow…..it felt great.  I felt a very warm feeling.

I felt shoulder relief immediately. The Bio Heating pad stays warm for at least an hour.
This heating pad is great for office workers, especially for those working on the computer all day. The heat relaxes and relieves your stiff shoulders.

I like this heating pad because I can walk around my office while wearing it on my shoulder. There’s no hassle with  wires and cords. I have complete cord free mobility with the Bio Heating Pad.

Shoulder Heating Pad