Happy Wives Day

By Bob Cox

Is it just me or does it seem like every year in America, we’re snookered into celebrating another new holiday? It’s become almost as obnoxious as the pharmaceutical industry; how they invent a new disease just about every week and then come to our rescue by securing a patent on yet another cash cow disguised in tiny pill bottles. Thank God they’re here to look out for our best interests! But I digress. If you think I’m exaggerating about the holidays, don’t take my word for it, visit our know-it-all friend and guru we call Google.

By the time the 2017 calendar year ends, we will have observed 231 total holidays in the United States. Imagine all the cake we could enjoy at the office if we took the time to celebrate each and every one of them? On second thought, forget that idea. That would just be another massive payday for the pharmaceutical industry, with large quantities of office workers being rushed to their nearest hospital from sugar induced comas.

We celebrate all things large and small in our crazy country, including a cute and furry rodent (Ground Hog’s Day: February 2). We pay homage to our jobs and the people who put up with us: Employee Appreciation Day (March 3), Administrative Professionals Day (April 26), Take our Daughters and Son’s to Work Day (April 27), Labor Day (September 4) and Bosses Day (October 16). We party like it’s 1999 for the folks that brought us into this world: Mother’s Day (May 14), Father’s Day (June 18) and Parents Day (July 23). We tip our hats to the young and old: Senior Citizens Day (August 21), National Grandparents Day (September 10) and Child’s Health Day (October 2). We’ve even set aside a special day to show mad respect for shopping and the almighty computer: Black Friday (November 24) and Cyber Monday (November 27).

What’s next, we celebrate a color? Oh yeah, we already do that: National Red Wear Day (February 3). Yet, despite the mass quantities of holidays we’re forced to endure, dare I toss yet another idea into the already overstuffed suggestion box that’s sincerely overdue and worthy of serious consideration? Yes guys, how about we take time out of our pathetic little lives to celebrate the ladies who do so much for all of us lazy slobs they fondly refer to as their husbands. Yes, it’s about time we start celebrating our wives!

Generally speaking, many wives do the brunt of the household chores without breaking a sweat, running circles around us by handling most or all of the shopping, cooking, cleaning and child raising while also holding down full-time employment. They also manage to get much of it done before we slink out of bed and have time to cry in front of the bathroom mirror at the hideous sight we’ve become. Sound familiar? I hope not.

I know I shouldn’t act like a self-appointed spokesperson for all husbands because not every guy is lucky enough to marry their best friend and soul mate. But since I was, I owe it to the world to express my gratitude for being fortunate enough to have a woman by my side that I love, adore and respect with all my heart for these past 20 years. A woman that loves me unconditionally while inspiring me to be a better man.

What’s truly important isn’t the number of boxes that my wife Diana checks off on her never ending to do list, but the hearts and minds she’s impacted during her amazing journey on this earth. Through her life’s work as a massage therapist, she’s been a devoted masseuse and trusted confidant that’s offered sage, life changing advice that’s helped countless friends and family members break free from the invisible chains of pain and suffering to reveal a happier and healthier person.

I could go on and on about the many virtues of my wife, but I would likely run out of ink and paper doing so. Of course I realize that she’s not a perfect angel and just like the rest of us, she has character traits that can be improved upon. On the other hand, the way she puts up with all my weird little quirks and disorders, especially my obsessive and compulsive tendencies; forget about it. She must be an angel, so Happy Wives Day Diana! 

Did You Know?

By Diana Cox

Did you know that seaweeds, ounce for ounce, are higher in vitamins and minerals than any other food? That’s right and for all you vegetarians, they are a complete source of amino acids. We have medicinal records using seaweeds from 3000 B.C. in China. Ancient Egyptians, through the time of Cleopatra, used seaweed soaks as body restoratives.

With all the concern with cancer, did you know seaweeds carry powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer activity? Over 47 different varieties of seaweeds are known to possess anti-cancer activity. Japanese studies show that a diet with as little as 5% seaweeds inhibits cancer growth, even causing remission of some active tumors. Kombu contains the substance, U-fucoidan, which has been found to cause cancer cells to self destruct.

Seaweeds are also loaded with body building minerals like calcium, iron, iodine and potassium. Just one-half cup of cooked hijiki contains more iron than two eggs and the same amount of calcium as a half-cup of milk!

Seaweed is not only good for your internal health, it’s also has many benefits externally as well. Beauty and the Seaweed: Now to discuss what most women really care about. Did you know seaweeds add amazing luster to the skin? A seaweed face mask increases circulation, stimulates lymphatic drainage and dilates capillaries to tone your skin. Seaweed extract retexturizes sun damaged skin.

Okay, all this talk has really made me want to relax and take a-you guessed it- a seaweed bath. Here’s how we will do it:

• Buy dried seaweeds from health food store.
• Run very hot water over the seaweed in a tub, filling it to the point that you will be covered when you recline.
• The water will turn rich brown as the plants release their minerals.
• As you soak, the gel from the seaweed transfers onto your skin.
• This coating increases perspiration to release toxins from your system and replaces them by osmosis with minerals.
• Rub your skin, especially cellulitic areas, with the sea leaves during the bath.
• When the seaweeds have done their work, the gel coating dissolves and floats off the skin, and the leaves shrivel- a sign that the bath is over.
• This bath generally lasts about 45 minutes to balance the acid-alkaline system, which encourages liver activity, cellulite release and fat metabolism.
• The final step is to dry brush skin.

Join me next month for Did You Know when we explore something new. In the meantime, enjoy your bath.

(If you are under a doctor’s care for heart disease or high blood pressure, check with your physician to see if a seaweed bath is okay for you).